The University of London’s Board of Trustees has appointed Sir Richard Dearlove KCMG OBE as its new Chair, to take over from Dame Jenny Abramsky, with effect from 1 August 2014.
Sir Richard, who has had a successful and distinguished career in government and education, joined MI6 in 1966 undertaking various overseas postings. He was appointed Director of Personnel and Administration in 1993, going on to become Director of Operations in 1994, before being promoted to Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999. He retired from the Service in 2004.
Sir Richard is presently the Master of Pembroke College, Cambridge and also served as a Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge between 2005 and 2010.
Professor Sir Adrian Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London said, “I am delighted to welcome Sir Richard to the Board of Trustees. He brings with him tremendous expertise as a longstanding and influential public servant. Sir Richard’s exemplary career in higher education over the last decade attests to his dedication and commitment.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dame Jenny Abramsky, who has chaired the University’s board for the last six years with the utmost dedication. She leaves the University thoroughly well-prepared for the future.”
Sir Richard joins the Board of Trustees with a wealth of experience as the current Chair of Trustees of the Cambridge Union Society. In April 2013, he joined the Advisory Board of Ergo (an intelligence and advisory firm), having previously sat on Advisory Boards for the Monitor Group and AIG. He is Chairman of Ascot Underwriting at Lloyd’s of London and a Director of Kosmos Energy.
The newly appointed Chair said, “I am delighted at this new opportunity to continue my strategic involvement in higher education at another of the world’s leading universities, and I look forward to working with the highly successful team at the University of London.”