Deputy Chair and Chair

Thank you for your interest in joining the Board of Governors at the University of Brighton.

The University of Brighton is where change begins.

With the launch of our Distinctively Brighton 2035 strategy, we are committing to a bold vision and clear direction towards a university that is both radically transformed and radically relevant. By 2035, our vision is to be the first-choice university for enterprise and equity, delivering transformational impact for our students, organisations and the communities we serve.

We are seeking two exceptional individuals to join the Board as our new Chair and Deputy Chair to help realise this ambitious vision and transform the University of Brighton into a place that equips every student to thrive in a world shaped by rapid change. Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor Professor Donna Whitehead, and the executive team, the Chair and Deputy Chair will be part of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine what universities can be and what they are for.

The Chair will foster a culture of high performance, robust governance, and strategic foresight, acting as a key ambassador for the University and championing our core values of equity, courage, creativity, partnership, and sustainability. The Deputy Chair will provide crucial support to the Chair, acting as a trusted adviser and deputising where required.

Both roles will meaningfully shape the future of the University, acting with integrity in ensuring the effective functioning of the Board, fostering an inclusive culture, and contributing to the University's strategic oversight. Candidates for each role will combine collegiality, diplomacy, intelligence and confidence with significant leadership and governance experience. They will have a keen interest in and commitment to education, and will be passionate about supporting the University of Brighton in delivering our strategy and realising our vision.

We champion equity and diversity as critical to the future we seek to build and protect. Our students are more likely to come from diverse or non-traditional backgrounds and more likely to face barriers than peers at other universities - yet they go on to achieve greater gains. Many have alternative qualifications, and a higher proportion are female, trans or living with disabilities or mental health conditions. Our commitment to equity is recognised by our Athena Swan Silver and Race Equality Charter Silver awards, and our position as one of Stonewall's Top 100 Employers in the most recent index.

We have been part of the city of Brighton & Hove since 1859, starting as a school of art in the kitchens of the Royal Pavilion and growing into the vibrant and inclusive community of 17,400 students and 3,100 staff that we are today. Reflecting the unique creativity and dynamism of our city, as part of the University of Brighton you will be part of a community building a learning culture that pushes the frontiers of knowledge, asks difficult questions, challenges convention and creates meaningful impact in Brighton, and beyond.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit quoting reference 8281.

For informal inquiries, please contact Eljoh Balajadia at or (0) .

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 13 th April 2026.

The first round of interviews and tours for both appointments will be held on 1 st and 4 th June, and the second round will be held on 11 th and 12 th June.

The University of Brighton welcomes applications from all candidates irrespective of age, pregnancy and maternity, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, or marital or civil partnership status.

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