The University of Bristol has announced Evelyn Welch as its?next vice-chancellor, making her the?first woman to?lead the?institution.

Professor Welch, currently senior vice-president (service, people and planning) at King¡¯s College London, will join Bristol in September. She will succeed Hugh Brady, who has led Bristol since 2015 and has been appointed president of Imperial College London.

A Renaissance historian, Professor Welch joined King¡¯s in 2013 as vice-president (arts and sciences) and was promoted to?provost two years later. She has also held senior roles at the University of Sussex, as pro vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, and at Queen Mary University of London, as dean of arts and pro vice-chancellor for research and international.

Professor Welch said Bristol was ¡°a?remarkable global university in a great city¡±.

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¡°I am excited about the university¡¯s new vision and strategy and proud to be the first woman to lead such an outstanding institution,¡± she said. ¡°I?look forward to serving the whole Bristol community to fully realise our potential and achieve our shared ambitions, locally, nationally and globally.¡±

Jack Boyer, chair of Bristol¡¯s board of trustees, hailed Professor Welch as ¡°an?accomplished academic and university leader¡±.

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¡°She is deeply committed to our institutional values and exceptionally well placed to lead our university into the post-Brexit, post-pandemic world,¡± Mr Boyer said.

¡°I¡¯m proud that Bristol will welcome its first female vice-chancellor. I?have no?doubt she will bring new insights and perspectives to the strategic leadership of the university; draw on her considerable experience to build on Bristol¡¯s outstanding teaching and research; and guide us towards achieving our ambitious university vision.¡±

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com