Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Council

The Open University stands at a pivotal moment in its history. More than 55 years after its founding, our mission to open up education and transform lives remains as vital as it was in 1969, but the context in which we deliver it is changing rapidly. Technological innovation, shifting patterns of work and learning, financial pressures across the sector, and growing demand for flexible, lifelong education all present both challenge and opportunity.

A world leader in open and flexible learning, the Open University is one of the largest universities in the world, serving over 200,000 students across the four nations of the UK, Ireland and worldwide. Our learners are diverse in background, age and circumstance, including thousands of students with declared disabilities, students studying in prisons and secure environments, and those balancing learning alongside work, caring responsibilities and other commitments. We play a unique role in widening participation, advancing social mobility and addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.

Together, we are building on our distinctive strengths to shape what a modern university can be: a university without walls, embedded across society, working in partnership with schools, colleges, employers, local authorities and other universities to ensure we have a meaningful presence in communities across the UK and beyond.

In this context, the role of Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council is more important than ever. As Chair of Council, the Pro-Chancellor provides principled, inclusive, and effective leadership at the heart of our governance. They will help to shape our long-term direction, uphold our values, represent the Open University externally, and ensure that we remain focused on our mission and strategy while navigating an increasingly complex and dynamic environment. Working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and University Secretary, the Pro-Chancellor will support and constructively challenge the Executive, helping to shape the University's long-term strategic direction while safeguarding its founding values and mission.

We are looking for a values-driven, independent and high-profile leader with senior-level experience of chairing boards or governing bodies of large, complex or international organisations. The Pro-Chancellor will bring sound judgement, integrity and credibility, alongside a deep commitment to the mission, values and social purpose of the Open University. Experience of providing support and challenge to executive leadership, and a strong understanding of good governance and collective decision-making, will be essential.

This is a unique opportunity to help steward one of the UK's most distinctive and mission-led universities through a period of opportunity, complexity and change. If you are excited by the prospect of supporting a bold, outward-looking and deeply socially-embedded university, and of helping to shape the future of higher education, we warmly encourage you to consider this role.

The Open University recognises the benefits of a diverse and inclusive governing body and is committed to ensuring that its leadership reflects the breadth of the communities it serves. We therefore warmly encourage applications from individuals who will bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the role.

Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae detailing relevant qualifications and experience, full employment history and achievements. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing briefly how candidates meet the criteria outlined in the person specification, why the appointment is of interest and what they believe they can bring to the role.

Applications are invited by 11:59pm on Sunday 8 March 2026 (GMT).

Completed applications should be uploaded at quoting reference number 8202.

Informal enquiries regarding this opportunity are welcome and should be made to Senior Research Associate, Harvir Bains on .

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