Nicola Owen is appointed as new Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer
University of Birmingham announces Lancaster University’s Deputy Chief Executive, Nicola Owen, as new Registrar.
The University of Birmingham is pleased to announce the appointment of Nicola Owen as its new Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer. A highly experienced professional service leader, Nicola brings more than three decades of experience in higher education.
Nicola is currently Deputy Chief Executive (Operations) at Lancaster University, where she is responsible for the effective delivery of Professional Services and is Secretary to University Council. She is also Chair of the Association of Heads of University Administration, the representative body for those working in the most senior professional services roles in higher education.
I am delighted to be joining the University of Birmingham. Birmingham has made impressive progress in recent years, galvanised by the global top 50 ambition and underpinned by exceptional academic quality.
Prior to moving to Lancaster University in 2013, Nicola held a number of roles at the University of Warwick and University of East Anglia. She will join Birmingham in September, following the retirement of Lee Sanders after 17 years as Registrar and Secretary.
Commenting on her appointment, Nicola said: I am delighted to be joining the University of Birmingham. Birmingham has made impressive progress in recent years, galvanised by the global top 50 ambition and underpinned by exceptional academic quality.
“I’m excited to play a role in those ambitions, working closely with the teams in Professional Services, University Council, and the whole University community. Universities face a challenging time, but Birmingham has the foundations to succeed, and I am looking forward to returning to the Midlands to play a part in its journey.”
Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Birmingham, said: “Nicola is a strong appointment for Birmingham. The Registrar is a crucial member of the University Executive Board, and I am confident that she will be an effective leader of our highly-respected Professional Services, as well as providing wise counsel to me and the wider University leadership group in our decision-making.”
Mervyn Walker, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, University of Birmingham, said: “Nicola brings strong experience to the role, and the University Council will greatly value her considerable expertise in University governance – essential as we navigate the changing world around us and pursue our Birmingham 2030 ambition to be a global top 50 institution.”
The Birmingham 2030 strategy sets out the aspiration to establish Birmingham in the top 50 of the world’s leading universities.
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For more information, please contact Press Office, University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, teachers and more than 8,000 international students from over 150 countries.
The University is home to over 40,000 students. Around 80% of its students are from state schools. Around 25% of our students come from the West Midlands and more than 40% of Birmingham graduates choose to make their home in the city after graduation.