The vice-chancellors’ association named Sir Christopher as its next president last week, with his two-year term due to start in August 2013.
Sir Christopher, who is current deputy president of UUK, was unopposed in his bid to take over from current president Eric Thomas, vice-chancellor of University of Bristol.
It has now emerged that not all universities had the chance to take part in this year’s nominations because the call for nominations was not sent to all UUK members.
The nomination process was reopened on 7 November and any vice-chancellors wanting to enter the race for the UUK leadership have until 16 November to put their names forward.
The error emerged after it was reported by Research Fortnight Today.
A UUK spokeswoman said: “It has come to light that not every member received the official Call for Nomination due to a problem with the despatch of the email.
“Although members will have been made aware of the Call for Nominations through a number of other communications, we felt that in the interests of absolute transparency and fair process, the call should be resent to all members with a deadline for receipt of nominations of 16th November 2012.
“We will make a further announcement if there is any change of outcome.”