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Leeds Beckett's Vice-Chancellor appointed as new Chair of Yorkshire Universities
Professor Peter Slee
Leeds Beckett Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Slee has taken the role of Yorkshire Universities (YU) Chair.
Professor Slee will bring his significant experience in senior leadership roles, and expertise in strategic planning and education policy, to lead the regional partnership at a time when devolution has become increasingly pivotal to the Government’s plans for economic growth.
Professor Slee will play a central role in the delivery of the YU 2025–2030 Strategy, working closely with the YU Board, member institutions, partners, stakeholders, and local and national government, to champion Yorkshire: amplifying regional strengths, unlocking new ideas and investment, and driving place-based impacts.
Speaking about his appointment, Professor Peter Slee said:
“With the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, putting local and regional growth, devolution, and place-based policy, at the heart of the UK’s economic agenda, there is a significant opportunity for YU to ensure that the region’s universities are central to realising the Government’s ambitions. By drawing on the wealth of expertise and capabilities across our member institutions, and strengthening our partnerships with industry, business, public sector, and local communities, I am confident that we can continue to unlock new opportunities, support increased prosperity and well-being and make a positive difference to people and places within and across Yorkshire.”
Professor Peter Slee succeeds Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor at the University of York, who served as YU Chair before taking up a new position as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton.
Welcoming Professor Slee as the new YU Chair, YU Executive Director, Dr Peter O’Brien, said:
“I would like to congratulate Peter Slee on taking up the position of YU Chair. YU’s mission and strategy are closely aligned with the devolution agenda, and I look forward to working with Peter to ensure that YU becomes even more effective and impactful in the new policy landscape. Peter’s longstanding commitment to Leeds, and to Yorkshire, and his visionary leadership within the sector, will be a real asset to us at this pivotal moment.
I would also like to thank Charlie Jeffery for his leadership as YU Chair, and I wish him well in his new role at the University of Southampton.”
In this article
Professor Peter Slee
Professor Peter Slee joined Leeds Beckett University as Vice Chancellor in September 2015. Peter was educated at the University of Reading, gained his PhD in Modern History from the University of Cambridge and was a postdoctoral fellow at Manchester and Durham. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an award-winning author, teacher and trainer.
Peter joined Leeds Beckett from the University of Huddersfield where he had been Deputy Vice Chancellor since 2010. He has held a number of senior roles in higher education management at Northumbria, Durham and Aston universities and at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) where he was Head of Education Policy.
