New Council appointments

New Council appointments from Left to Right: Professor Sir Ian Diamond; Professor Robin Williams and Samantha Blackie

New Council appointments from Left to Right: Professor Sir Ian Diamond; Professor Robin Williams and Samantha Blackie

31 July 2018

Aberystwyth University is pleased to announce the appointments of three new independent members of the University’s governing body.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond, Professor Robin Williams and Samantha Blackie have joined the University’s Council and will take up their posts on 1 August 2018, serving for an initial period of three years.

Chaired by Dr Emyr Roberts, the Council has a majority of independent members who are drawn from the private and public sectors to bring a range of experience and professional expertise to the governance of the University.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond ends his tenure as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen on 31 July 2018 after ten years in the role. He chaired the Welsh Government’s Review of Higher Education and Student Finance Arrangements in Wales, which published its recommendations in 2016. He is currently Chair of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS), of Plan International UK, and Edinburgh College of Further Education. He is also a Board Member of UK Research and Innovation and of the UK Statistics Authority. 

Professor Robin Williams is former Vice Chancellor of Swansea University. He has been a member of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales from 2009 to 31 July 2018 and chaired its Research, Innovation and Engagement Committee. Professor Williams is a Fellow of the Royal Society and was awarded a CBE in 2004 for services to higher education. He is a fluent Welsh speaker.

Samantha Blackie is a corporate HR Director having held senior positions with the Royal London Group, the UK’s largest mutual life insurance and pensions company, and Lloyds Banking Group. She is a Trustee of UK charity Meningitis Now.

Welcoming the appointments, Chair of Council Dr Emyr Roberts said: 'These appointments bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Council. I am delighted to appoint members of this calibre and I look forward to working with them for the benefit of this historic University.”

The Council is the supreme governing body of the University and is responsible for determining the University’s strategic direction as well as the conduct of the University’s financial, administrative and other affairs, in accordance with its objectives.