BGU Vice-Chancellor announces retirement

The Vice-Chancellor of Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU), the Rev’d Canon Professor Peter Neil, has announced he will retire at the end of July 2023.

He is the second vice-chancellor of the institution since it gained university title in 2012 and amongst the longest serving VCs in the UK.

During his ten-year leadership, BGU has transformed from its former status as a university college with a strong tradition in teacher education to become a higher education provider that is shaped by a flourishing suite of research and knowledge exchange activities and an enhanced campus estate.

Since 2013, the portfolio of taught provision has expanded to include professional studies, social sciences, and the humanities. The volume, scope, and quality of research at BGU has improved significantly with a four-fold increase in the number of researchers returned to the Research Excellence Framework between 2014 and 2021.

Knowledge exchange has also gathered momentum during this time, especially through projects in partnership with the public sector.

Throughout BGU has remained steadfastly committed to its person-centred approach and focus on the students’ experiences.

Professor Neil said: “It has been an immense privilege working for Bishop Grosseteste University as one of the key education providers in the city. It is a very special place and its values and ethos remain as strong today as they did when the then College was opened in 1862.

"I am extremely proud of what we continue to do for students and of the contribution that BGU and our community make to the life of the city, county and beyond.”

The Chair of University Council Anne Frost said: “Professor Neil has been one of the longest serving Vice Chancellors of this very special education institution. The Council would like to thank him for everything he has done for the university in that time and wish him well for his retirement. We will now begin the recruitment process to find his successor.”

Professor Neil - who is also a Canon of Lincoln Cathedral - will leave post at the end of July.