Rear Admiral Philip Greenish CBE has been appointed as the new Chair of Council of the University for a three-year term starting 1 August 2018. He also becomes an ex officio Pro Chancellor of the University. He will take over from Dr Gill Rider whose term of office as Chair ends on 31 July 2018.
He has been a member of the University Council for over seven years, Vice Chair since August 2017, and is Chair of the Remuneration Committee and the Health and Safety Audit and Assurance Committee. His family home is in Wickham, Hampshire.
Rear Admiral Philip Greenish
Philip Greenish was educated at Cheltenham College and read Engineering Science at Durham University, graduating in 1972. He served in the Royal Navy from 1969 until 2003, retiring as a Rear Admiral having held responsibility in his final role for engineering, personnel and logistic support for the front line of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. He was Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2003 to December 2017.
He was a Board member of Engineering UK from 2008 to December 2017, a founding trustee of the Science Media Centre and a trustee of the Daphne Jackson Trust. He has held two research council appointments for a total of seven years as a Council member of both CCLRC and STFC. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Engineers. He was appointed CBE in 2003. He was awarded an honorary degree from the University of Huddersfield in 2017.
Rear Admiral Philip Greenish said:
“I am honoured to succeed Dr Rider as Chair of Council and I would like to pay tribute on behalf of all of Council and the senior executive team to her inspired leadership and dedication to the University. It will be my great pleasure to continue serving Southampton, a truly world-leading University, and I look forward to engaging further with students and staff and to working with the executive team and Council colleagues to deliver the university’s exciting strategy.”
Dr Gill Rider said:
“It has been an enormous privilege to have been involved with such an extraordinary institution, and I am delighted that Philip has agreed to pick up the baton as Chair of Council. Philip brings to the role a great wealth of experience together with his passion for education and research. The University will be in very good hands. Once my term of office ends in July, I will be watching with pride as the University continues to progress its mission to change the world for the better. I wish Southampton, and Philip, every success for the future.”
