Student Hubs is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr John Kirkland, O.B.E as its next Chair. John will take over the role from Professor Gerry Kelleher in late April.
The relationship between higher education and the outside world has been a central feature in John’s career, which has included periods as a student union official, researching the relationship between higher education and employment, directing a university research office, being the senior official responsible for managing major international scholarship schemes of the UK government and Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He is also a qualified Company Secretary, and serves as chair or board member for several international development projects.
The appointment comes at an exciting time for Student Hubs as we look ahead to an upcoming new strategy, with the aim to continue to grow our network and our offer for our colleagues in the higher education and charity sector.
On his appointment to the role, John commented, ‘Events of the past year have made the student experience, employability and relations between universities and their local communities more important than ever. Student Hubs’ experience in all of these areas can add significant value to institutions throughout the UK, and I’m looking forward to supporting our excellent team in delivering these activities’.
John’s appointment completes Student Hubs’ continued development of our Trustee Board in recent years, including the appointment of Amy Harrison as Deputy Chair earlier this year.
On finishing his term as Chair of Student Hubs’ Trustee Board, Gerry Kelleher said, ‘Being Chair of Student Hubs over the last few years has been a huge privilege and pleasure. Although the higher education sector has been through some interesting times during this period, it is very heartening to see that students across the country remain committed to giving time, energy and passion to making their world a better place.
‘It has been equally heartening to see universities remaining committed to their vital role as instruments of profound social change in their regions and the country at large, at a time when it would have been easy to lose focus on their broader mission. I am delighted to welcome John to his new role at Student Hubs and I am confident that under his leadership, the organisation will thrive and continue helping develop the socially active citizens of the future.’
We want to thank Gerry for his commitment to Student Hubs and the leadership he has brought to Student Hubs across his years on the Trustee Board. We wish him all the best with the future.
We are also excited to welcome John to the organisation, and are delighted to be working alongside him to scale our ambitious new plans moving forward.