Liverpool picks Birmingham provost Tim Jones as next v-c

The University of Liverpool has appointed Tim Jones as its next vice-chancellor.

Professor Jones, currently provost and vice-principal of the University of Birmingham, will take up the post in January 2023, following the retirement of Dame Janet Beer in December.

The appointment will see Professor Jones return to the institution where he took his undergraduate and doctoral degrees, prior to a research career focused on advanced electronic materials that was spent largely at Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.

At Warwick, Professor Jones served as interim provost, pro vice-chancellor for science, engineering and medicine, and pro vice-chancellor for research, knowledge transfer and business engagement.

He said he was “delighted” to be returning to Liverpool more than 30 years after completing his PhD.

“To return as vice-chancellor of this global, innovative university is a huge privilege,” he said.

At Birmingham, where Professor Jones has been provost since 2016, he led the establishment of the institution’s Dubai campus and the development of the Birmingham Health Innovation Campus.

Carmel Booth, president of Liverpool’s council, said Professor Jones had “led the field” in the recruitment process, having demonstrated “his energetic and collaborative leadership style and communicated an exciting and ambitious global vision for the University of Liverpool”.

“Tim is an experienced higher education leader with an impressive track record of devising and implementing significant civic and international projects. His commitment to teaching and research excellence and his ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, students and wider stakeholders will be central to taking forward the university’s strategic ambitions and building on its worldwide reputation for education and research,” Ms Booth said.

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com