THE Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, is leaving to take up a post as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford.
Professor Louise Richardson is set to succeed Professor Andrew Hamilton in the post.
Subject to final approval she will take office from January 1st 2016.
St Andrews’ Senior Governor Sir Ewan Brown broke the news to staff and students, and said that an “international” search for her successor would start soon.
He said: “Louise Richardson has proved a splendid leader at St Andrews, to which she has made an outstanding contribution over the last seven years.”
“The University Court of St Andrews will shortly begin a far-reaching international search for an academic leader of vision and ambition to help this remarkable community of scholars and students build on the considerable achievements of recent years.”
Blessing
The Chancellor of the University of St Andrews, Sir Menzies Campbell, said: “She goes with our blessing, our thanks and our congratulations.”
In a message to St Andrews students and staff, Professor Richardson said: “My years as Principal of this extraordinary university have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my professional life.”
“I will always feel enormously privileged to have had the opportunity to be a part of this magical place.”
In the latest higher education league table published by The Guardian this week, St Andrews was ranked 3rd in the UK, one place behind Oxford.
