New Deputy Vice-Chancellor Looks Forward To Joining Glyndwr University

Joining Wrexham Glyndŵr University is a “tremendous opportunity” says the institution’s new Deputy Vice-Chancellor. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Claire Taylor, currently Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Strategy) at St Mary’s University in London, will arrive in North Wales to begin the role this summer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Taylor read Music and Education at St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge and completed doctoral studies with the University of Nottingham. Her early career was as a primary school teacher, before becoming a headteacher and later moving into HE, where she has held a variety of senior roles. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Taylor said “I am delighted and excited to be joining the Wrexham Glyndŵr team as the university looks to the future and takes forward its new five-year strategy. The role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor presents a tremendous opportunity to serve a university whose ambitions accord with the values that I hold dear, and in particular I am deeply impressed by its student-centred approach and commitment to partnership working.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

She added: “I am very much looking forward to working with staff and students to raise the university’s profile, celebrate achievement and realise key goals and ambitions.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Also a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Developers Association and a Life Fellow of Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University, Dr Taylor is a member of the HEFCE sub-committee HE Public Information Steering Group, London Higher Access HE Steering Group and the LFHE Membership Advisory Group. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Dr Taylor and her husband Adam will relocate to Wales in July before she joins Wrexham Glyndŵr in August. Keen hillwalkers, they are both looking forward to exploring the region’s hills and mountains. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Welcoming her to the university, Interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Upton, said: “We are thrilled that Claire has taken up this important position with us. She was an outstanding candidate and will bring real vision and dedication to what is already a strong new management team. I would like to take this opportunity to wish her well in the role and good luck for the future.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​