Close
Sir Jonathan Symonds CBE appointed new Chair of UCL Council
10 July 2026
Sir Jonathan Symonds CBE will become Chair of UCL Council, responsible for leading its governing body, when Victor Chu CBE completes his term in the role at the end of July next year.
Bringing extensive experience from global business and the life sciences sector, and currently Chair of the global biopharma company GSK, Jon will contribute his comprehensive expertise in leading global companies and boards together with his knowledge of finance, science and innovation to UCL. He will take up the role on 1 August 2027.
Prior to GSK, Jon was Deputy Chairman of HSBC Bank plc, following senior roles at Novartis, Goldman Sachs, AstraZeneca and KPMG.
Jon is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, an Honorary Fellow of the Oxford School of Pharmacology, and an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
He has held several other external appointments, including Chair and Non-Executive Director of Genomics England, and has been a Senior Advisor to Chatham House. Jon currently chairs the European Round Table for Industry, the leading voice of business in Europe.
UCL Council is responsible for approving our mission, strategic vision and long-term academic and business plans, as well as overseeing the performance, management and administration of our university.
The Chair of UCL Council, Victor Chu, who will have served in the role for eight years, has welcomed the announcement of his successor, which comes as we mark our UCL 200 Bicentenary and enter our third century. He said:
“From the arts and humanities to science and health, UCL is going from strength to strength as a global leader in education, teaching and research. For two centuries it has been impacting lives across the globe through its discoveries and the capabilities of its graduates, together innovating for a better world.
“I am absolutely delighted that Sir Jon will be succeeding me as Chair of Council when I step down next summer. Under Jon's leadership, and with the combined talents and commitments of our Council colleagues, I know that UCL will continue to achieve and flourish as a top global institution. UCL will benefit enormously from Jon’s wealth of experience in global finance, professional services and multinational corporate management and governance as we take on both the challenges and the huge opportunities ahead.”
A celebration to recognise Victor’s outstanding contribution to UCL will be planned for nearer his departure, with Jon scheduled to first attend UCL Council next June, working with Victor and its members to ensure a smooth transition.
The Search Committee established to lead the recruitment of the next UCL Chair was co-led by Council Vice-Chair Dominic Blakemore and Council member and Chair of Audit and Risk Committee Sarah Whitney:
“We are grateful to our current Chair, Victor Chu, for his phenomenal service and leadership, and we look forward to working with Sir Jon to continue to further UCL’s mission and values. This process has been thorough and highly competitive, and I am delighted to be able to share the news of Jon’s appointment. He brings outstanding board-level leadership, a sustained commitment to academic and scientific excellence, and an eminent career at the forefront of global life sciences, financial services, public policy and corporate governance. He is ideal for the strategic leadership role that the Chair will play in guiding UCL in its strategic ambitions and building on our unique and remarkable strengths as we look beyond our Bicentenary milestone.”
Alongside Jon’s professional interests and experience, he is a keen cyclist, a regular theatre goer and a Saracens supporter. Jon is Chair of the Jinja Educational Trust and makes regular trips to Uganda to support the charity’s activity.
Confirming his acceptance of the role of Chair of UCL Council, Jon said:
“It will be an honour to serve UCL, especially at such a significant time in the history of this remarkable, much-loved institution. I am looking forward to working with its students, staff, alumni and partners to support its academic ambition and help it to achieve an even greater impact in the world.
“It is a privilege to succeed Victor Chu, an inspirational leader who has supported UCL through pivotal change and progress, helping to strengthen its governance, financial resilience and strategic ambitions. I am excited to join Dr Michael Spence, UCL’s President and Provost, in continuing this journey and securing UCL’s continued development and success for generations.”
Links
Follow us
