Chair of the Board

Bournemouth University's vision is to be recognised worldwide as a leading university for inspiring learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society. With around 17,000 students, we are ranked as one of the top 100 young Universities in the world and benefit from a wonderful location. We play a lead role in our regional place shaping agenda and have a commitment to partnership working that boosts local skills, advances social mobility and drives economic growth. When our staff, students and Board colleagues join us they become a part of a learning community that strives to make an impact on the world - aiming for a more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy society.

This is a critical point in the evolution of our University as the Board works with our new Vice Chancellor and CEO, Professor Alison Honour, and the Executive Team on the development of the University's next strategic plan - BU2035. This transformational journey will centre on a new digital and technology agenda that will maximise our core strengths, including our areas of internationally leading research, our quality teaching, our leading-edge facilities and our location. Through a bold and innovative approach it will reframe how a 21st century education looks and feels, ensuring our continued financial sustainability and further increasing our reach, reputation, impact and profile regionally, nationally and globally.

As part of this ambitious journey, we are seeking to appoint a new Chair to lead our Board as our current Chair, David Furniss, comes to the end of his term of office in July 2025. We are seeking an exceptional individual with the intellectual capacity, commercial acumen, strategic expertise and external networks to act as a critical friend and support us in a non- executive capacity to drive forward our ambitions. We are particularly interested in individuals who will understand and empathise with our culture and ambitions. Proven experience of operating as a non-executive will be essential, as will high levels of personal and professional credibility and integrity.

The UK education sector is facing a period of unprecedented change and the role of Chair has never been more important. If you share our values, have the skills and experience to enable what we have planned, and can encourage an even bolder vision for the future, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For further information, including details of how to apply, please visit:

Applications are invited at your earliest convenience, and in any event by no later than close of business on Friday 31st January 2025