New Chairman of Governors

Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge elected New Chairman of Governors by Birkbeck

13 October 2003

Birkbeck is pleased to announce that Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge has been elected to serve as the Chairman of Governors from 1 November, 2003. Lord Marshall succeeds Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, Provost of King's College, Cambridge. Dame Judith held the chairmanship from 1999 to October 2003.

Commenting on his appointment, Lord Marshall said: "Having long admired the objectives of Birkbeck College, I now look forward to making a contribution to its unique position in the field of part-time higher education and its acclaimed research work."

Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, who was chairman of Birkbeck's governing body during a period of academic expansion and extensive capital development of the College's Bloomsbury estate, warmly congratulated Lord Marshall on his appointment and said: "Birkbeck is a unique institution, which successfully combines research excellence in a wide range of disciplines with part-time teaching of the highest quality. Its staff are at the cutting edge of academic development and dedicated to flexible learning. The College attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds, many of whom work full-time during the day and study for degrees in the evening. I am absolutely delighted that Lord Marshall has been elected as the new Chairman. With his genuine interest in adult education, his passion for London and his wealth of experience, he is ideally placed to champion this very special London institution."

Professor David Latchman, Master of Birkbeck, joined Dame Judith in welcoming Lord Marshall to Birkbeck's governing body: "I believe that Lord Marshall's extensive business experience, combined with his passion for London, will be of immense value to Birkbeck. I look forward to working with him to develop further Birkbeck's unique educational mission."

With an extensive career in international business, Lord Marshall has long experience of running large and complex organisations. He has led British Airways for the past 20 years, initially as Chief Executive, then as Chairman and Chief Executive and now, since 1996, as non-executive Chairman. He is also a board member of HSBC Holdings plc, and last month became non-executive Chairman of Pirelli UK plc.

Lord Marshall is a former President of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and currently chairs its International Advisory Board. Other voluntary activities include chairmanship of Britain in Europe and presidency of the Commonwealth Youth Exchange Council. Lord Marshall is a member of the British American Business Council's International Advisory Board and in 2000, became the first non US-based business leader to be elected chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Conference Board. In July 2003, he completed a three-year term as Chairman of the Royal Institute of International Affairs.

A Londoner by birth, Lord Marshall was one of the founders of the London First organisation and became the inaugural chairman of London First Centre, the capital's inward investment agency. He also helped to create and then chaired London Development Partnership, the prototype body for the new London Development Agency which brought business, local government, trade unions, higher education, training organisations and the voluntary sector together in a coalition for economic development. Lord Marshall remains committed to London with special interests in social deprivation and education needs, especially for adults.

He was created a Life Peer in the 1998 Queen's Birthday Honours and holds honorary degrees from a number of universities, including London Guildhall.

Contact:
Catherine Doherty, Media and Publicity Officer
External Relations, Birkbeck, University of London, Malet Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1E 7HX
Tel 020 7631 6569
Fax 020 7631 6351
Email c.doherty@bbk.ac.uk

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