University appoints two new Deputy Vice-Chancellors

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is delighted to announce the appointment of two new deputy vice-chancellors to its executive team.

Dr Lynne Livesey will move from her current role as UCLan’s pro vice-chancellor to become deputy vice-chancellor (academic) while Liz Bromley joins the University from Goldsmiths, University of London, to take up the role of deputy vice-chancellor (corporate planning and international strategy).

Lynne will take up her new post immediately while Liz will join the University on 1 September 2016.

Prior to her pro vice-chancellor role with responsibility for academic development, employability and partnerships, Lynne led the University’s professional postgraduate courses in law and went on to be appointed as the dean of the Lancashire Law School. She graduated in law from Durham University before going into private practice as a solicitor and studying higher degrees in law, management and education.

In her academic and leadership roles at the Open University, UCLan, and professional regulatory and quality assurance bodies, Lynne has many years’ experience of curriculum development, quality assurance and enhancement of student experience across educational disciplines. She has travelled extensively in her work and socially giving her a sound understanding of global education.

Her research interests include trusts and charities, equality and diversity and legal education. She established the University's pro bono Law Clinic. Lynne holds a number of board positions and through her charity work is committed to social justice and equity of opportunity.

In Lynne’s new role she will be accountable for the currency, effectiveness and quality of all academic provision across the institution. She will also coordinate all areas of academic strategy and activity with strategic responsibility for UK student recruitment and retention, learning and teaching, research and scholarly activity.

A graduate of Worcester College, Oxford with a first degree in English Language and Literature, Liz Bromley has been registrar and secretary at Goldsmiths, University of London, since 2012.

She took a leading role in the strategic development of the University with a commitment to enhancing the student experience. Prior to this she spent six years as Director of Student Life and College Registrar at the University of Salford. Her career also encompasses ten years working in student facing roles at the Open University.

In her new position at UCLan Liz will be accountable for the delivery of the University’s International Strategy and the 2015-2020 corporate plan. She will also co-ordinate the academic strategy and has strategic responsibility for international recruitment and retention, data reporting and quality assurance.

Commenting on the new appointments vice-chancellor, Professor Mike Thomas, said: “We received some outstanding applications for these two positions but I’m convinced that in Lynne and Liz we have appointed dynamic, visionary and experienced leaders who will grasp our change agenda, embrace our ethos, and work collaboratively with colleagues to drive the University’s future success.”

Adding to the vice-chancellor’s comments, Dr Lynne Livesey said: “Higher education is in a period of rapid change, and it has never been more important to retain a clear focus on our vision and place in the community.

"Through our new corporate strategy and our Campus Masterplan development I believe we have the foundations in place for an incredibly bright future and I’m looking forward to playing a key role in our continued development. I am deeply committed to educational approaches which enable students to achieve their full potential as active citizens with the specialist knowledge, critical thinking and higher skills that employers and communities need.”

Liz Bromley added: “I am delighted to be joining UCLan as part of Professor Mike Thomas' new senior team as he shapes the University's strategy for the next five years.

“UCLan is an enterprising, business focused university that puts real effort into being part of the community in Preston, and ensuring brilliant outcomes for its students and graduates. Coming from the North West myself, I know what an impact such a major university has as a local employer, providing excellent graduate employees for the local area, and beyond. I am really excited to be part of that community. “As well as ensuring that the University has an excellent professional support structure for our core educational business, I'm also looking forward to leading the international strategy as a critical activity which will help shape our students to think and behave as global citizens. This role really does bring together the many years I've spent working to improve the student experience with my last four years of leadership at Goldsmiths.”