University welcomes HEFCE CEO

Sir Alan gives keynote speech

Sir Alan Langlands (left) and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan.

The University was delighted to welcome the Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Sir Alan Langlands was the keynote speaker at the Yorkshire Universities Annual General Meeting Dinner held in the University’s Queensgate Restaurant.

Vice-chancellors from the eleven higher education institutions throughout the region attended the meeting under its current chairman, Professor Philip Jones – the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Cryan, was chairman from 2008 to 2010.

Sir Alan Langlands was born in Glasgow and became Chief Executive of the HE Funding Council for England in 2009.  The science graduate was formerly the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dundee and prior to that the Chief Executive of the NHS.

The HEFCE CEO was invited to speak at the dinner by Professor Cryan: “This is Sir Alan’s second visit to the University since he joined the Funding Council,” said the Vice-Chancellor, “and we were very pleased that he was able to take time out of his busy schedule to join us.

“Sir Alan spoke candidly about the challenges, and opportunities, that the sector will face and he also gave some insight into the priorities that the Funding Council will be focussing on in the coming months.”

Sir Alan (front centre) prior to the dinner.  Pictured front left is Professor Freda Bridge, the University's former Dean of Education and Professional Development, now the Principal and Chief Executive of Leeds Trinity University College.