New VC to build on Anglia Ruskin’s successes

Professor Martin joins Anglia Ruskin from the University of New South Wales in Australia where he was Deputy Vice Chancellor, and succeeds Professor Michael Thorne, who is retiring after being in the role since 2007.

“After 16 years in Australia and New Zealand it’s great to be back,” said Professor Martin, who was born in Newport, Wales, grew up in Hampshire and studied medicine at the University of Leeds.

Prior to joining the University of New South Wales he held senior positions, including Dean of Medical and Health Sciences and Deputy Vice Chancellor, at the University of Auckland.

“I have had the good fortune of having roles that have given me a great deal of exposure to a wide range of universities internationally,” said Professor Martin.

“One thing that has struck me is that the ‘deck of cards’ of challenges and considerations they each face is very similar.  It is just that the deck is shuffled in a different order.

“I’m delighted to be joining a university that has a strong sense of identity and is passionate about making a real difference to individuals and communities.  

“Anglia Ruskin has a clear mission and set of values.  The three pillars that sit at the heart of the mission – education, research and engagement – will remain central, but within each of these we will need to reflect on what will continue to make us distinctive.

“This will be of growing importance within an increasingly connected global higher education system.  Our approach to education and how we consider innovative approaches to curriculum design and delivery, how we build on our research expertise and excellence, and the ways in which we engage with existing and new external partners, will each have to be considered within rapidly evolving global and political contexts.

“To do this we will need to be increasingly entrepreneurial and comfortable with experimenting with new approaches; but thankfully these are values already close to the heart of Anglia Ruskin.  I’m going to continue to build on the great things that have been happening here over the last decade, and nurture a healthy culture that values innovation.

“I would also like to thank Professor Michael Thorne both for the help and support he has given me in the last few months in planning to fill his shoes, but also for the outstanding leadership he has provided to Anglia Ruskin during his tenure.”

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For more press information please contact:
Jon Green on t: 01245 68 4717, e: jon.green@anglia.ac.uk
Jamie Forsyth on t: 01245 68 4716, e: jamie.forsyth@anglia.ac.uk
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