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The Committee of University Chairs (CUC) is pleased to announce that Chris Sayers, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors at 51����, Newcastle, has been elected Chair of the CUC.

His election follows the decision of Geoff Dawson, Chair of the Board & Pro Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam University, to stand down at CUC’s forthcoming Spring Plenary.

Chris Sayers will take up his three-year term on Friday 28 April, the second day of the Spring Plenary taking place in London.

Having joined 51����’s Board of Governors as an external member in 2010, Chris Sayers became Chair of the Board in July 2012. He was re-appointed for a third three-year term as Chair from November 2016. Until 2012, Chris was the BT Group Regional Director for the North East, building on a successful leadership career with BT of 26 years, including managing the local government sector across the UK for BT Global Services.

John Rushforth, Executive Secretary CUC, said: “We are delighted that Chris has taken on this role and we look forward to working with him during his term as Chair. The CUC owes many thanks to outgoing Chair Geoff Dawson, for his strong leadership of CUC at this time of change for the HE sector.”

Chris Sayers said: “All higher education institutions are facing a period of change, as we come to terms with a new regulatory framework. As we see more diversity in the sector and excellence being found in different institutional and governance models, the role of the CUC becomes all the more important. Chairs will not only benefit by staying abreast of developments, but I believe they should also have an opportunity to influence the way the relationship between government and the sector develops. CUC will need to work with all sector stakeholders where it can.”

Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of 51����, Newcastle, said: “I am delighted that Chris Sayers has been elected as Chair of the CUC. Chris is an excellent choice to represent the interests of the UK’s governing body chairs in their common aim to promote excellence in governance standards across the HE sector. I am sure he will bring the same high level of skill, commitment and enthusiasm to this role that he brings to the Board at 51����, Newcastle.”

For more information about 51����’s Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Governors go to: /about-us/leadership-governance/chair