As some colleagues will be aware our Vice-Chancellor designate, Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, suffered an accident in May that resulted in a period of hospital treatment. 
Since then he has returned to work and has sent the following message:
“I would like to thank those members of the University who have sent me their good wishes for my recovery following my accident and I am pleased to report that I have made a good recovery. Since March, when I accepted the position as your new Vice-Chancellor, I have been gradually engaging with colleagues at Southampton and receiving updates.”
Sir Christopher went on to say:
“The University’s recent successes, such as being placed as the eighth most research intensive university in the UK by the Research Excellence Framework (REF), achieving an extremely positive outcome from the Higher Education Review and securing further significant research funding, all characterise the strengths of the University of Southampton and reinforce my decision and enthusiasm to join you.”
“I am continuing to meet with colleagues as part of my introduction and I am receiving regular reports on the progress of significant strategic activities such as the Business Model Review. As the new Vice-Chancellor I will be building a strong leadership team and I will be increasingly involved in senior appointments as they arise such as the new Chief Operating Officer.”