Victor Chu CBE to retire as Chair of UCL Council in July 2027

Victor Chu is an international business leader and UCL alumnus who became Chair of UCL Council in August 2019 and will have served in the role for eight years. The search for his successor will begin immediately, with the new Chair taking up office from August 2027. 

During his tenure, Victor’s leadership has been inspirational, supporting UCL through a period of significant change and progress, and helping to strengthen its governance, financial resilience and the university’s strategic ambitions. A celebration to recognise Victor’s significant contribution to UCL will be planned for nearer his departure.

In the meantime, UCL Council will begin the process of recruiting Victor’s successor. The recruitment will be overseen by a Search Committee established by Council and chaired by the Vice-Chair of Council, Dominic Blakemore. The Committee will be supported in its work by a leading executive talent agency, which has been engaged to advise on and support the search.    

The next Chair of Council will join UCL at a landmark moment in its history. As the university builds upon this year’s bicentenary celebrations, the successful appointee will help guide the institution as it looks towards its next 200 years. The role is key to UCL’s strategic leadership, in supporting our mission and values, ensuring that it retains its top ten global ranking, and building on its unique and remarkable strengths that impact so profoundly in the world.

Dominic Blakemore, Vice-Chair of Council and Chair of the Search Committee, said:  “I would like to thank Victor for his incredible service to UCL as Chair of Council. His leadership has made a lasting contribution to the university and to the effectiveness of its governance. I am pleased that Victor will remain our Chair until the end of his tenure in 2027, so that he can oversee and enjoy our bicentennial celebrations over the coming year.”

The next step for the Search Committee will be the development of a candidate brief, which will help shape the strategic leadership role that the new Chair will play in steering UCL.

The Committee is keen to hear from members of the UCL community to help inform the brief. Anyone who would like to contribute is encouraged to do so by contacting Odgers, the executive talent agency supporting the search, at UCL@odgers.com.  

Further updates will be shared as the search process progresses.

Links

• UCL Council

Image

• Victor Chu CBE, Chair of UCL Council, speaking at the official launch of the new UCL East campus on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in September 2023. Credit: UCL