The Vice-Chancellor’s role is to lead the University, and to help to direct and achieve the University’s strategy goals. The Vice-Chancellor also chairs the University Senate, sits on the University Council, is response for securing sufficient funding, and represents the University externally.
President and Vice-Chancellor: Professor Mark E. Smith
Professor Mark E. Smith is the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton. As President and Vice-Chancellor he is the Chief Executive of the University and has overall responsibility for its operations. He took up this role on 1 October 2019.
Professor Smith was Vice-Chancellor at Lancaster University from January 2012 until September 2019. He was previously Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Warwick.
Throughout his academic career, he has published more than 380 papers about advanced magnetic resonance techniques, helping to understand a range of problems in the field of materials physics. He is currently a member of the executive group overseeing the National High Field Solid-State NMR Facility at the University of Warwick.
In addition to his role as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, he holds a number of external appointments including Senior Independent Member of UKRI EPSRC’s Council; and board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, chairing their Research Wales Committee.
He also chairs UKRI’s Financial Sustainability of Research Group and was the former Chair of the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) 2016-2022. He has also served on the Boards of Jisc, HESA and HESCU.
He was awarded a CBE for Services to Research and Higher Education in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
You can contact the Vice-Chancellor by getting in touch with Marie Cross, Executive Officer. Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 8681 or email: vice-chancellor-eo@southampton.ac.uk.
How the University is run
Learn about how the University is run, and who helps to make the most important decisions about our strategy
Useful links
Information on Vice-Chancellor remuneration