Former Laureate vice-president to take helm at University of Law

Nigel Savage, the current president, is to retire with effect from 1 April after 18 years in charge.

Professor Savage will be replaced at the helm of the UK’s first for-profit university by John Latham. He joined the University of Law in autumn 2013 as CEO after serving as vice-president for international business development at Laureate.

Mr Latham is also a former chief operating officer at the University of Liverpool, which has an online education partnership with Laureate.

The departure of Professor Savage, who will become emeritus president, comes little more than a year after the University of Law became a for-profit institution.

In November 2012, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills awarded university status to the previously charitable College of Law.

Once that status had been awarded, Montagu Private Equity completed its purchase of the University of Law for around £200 million, turning it into a for-profit institution.

Alan Bowkett, chairman of the University of Law board, and a Montagu director, said that under Professor Savage “the university has become a genuinely national and international law school with a much more diverse and flexible range of programmes, becoming a powerful force in terms of thought leadership to the sector”.

Professor Savage said: “We have lots of exciting projects in the pipeline so now is the time to step aside and I am delighted to hand over the reins to John Latham.

“The core of our success has been remaining true to our original values and commitment to legal practice and excellence in teaching and learning, and these remain the pillars of our future success.

“Our new owners have reinforced this strategy through tangible investment and expansion plans and I am confident the university will continue to go from strength to strength.”

john.morgan@tsleducation.com