Professor Alison Honour has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Bournemouth University.
Professor Honour has over 25 years’ experience in a broad range of senior academic leadership roles and management in higher education. She is a Professor of Academic Leadership, a National Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She has held senior leadership roles at four large post-92 Universities with experience in both strategic and operational leadership.
Currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Canterbury Christ Church University, Professor Honour has led on the new university strategy in collaboration with 600 staff and students, initiated a new Academic Framework and Portfolio Review and led on institutional approaches to improving staff and student experience including working in partnership with the Students’ Union to mobilise student voice and representation.
Professor Honour was also recently awarded ‘Women of the Decade Award’ from the Women’s Economic Forum and the G100, an international leadership group who make recommendations to the UN against the UNSDG5 for gender equality.
Speaking of her appointment, she said: “I am inspired and excited to lead Bournemouth University as a distinctive and ambitious institution which I believe to be exceptionally well positioned to be one of the most innovative Universities in the UK. This is an exciting time to join BU as its next Vice-Chancellor and CEO with the opportunity to provide strategic direction and leadership in collaboration with staff and students, towards shaping a shared vision for BU2032.
“From the moment that I stepped on to the Bournemouth University campus, I knew that the University was a very special place with a strong sense of pride, community and belonging. I feel immensely proud and privileged to be leading such an outstanding university and I am deeply committed to serving this community as an active and visible leader both through internal and external engagement. I look forward with enthusiasm to meeting with students and staff across academic and professional services areas and learning more about BU through their experiences.”
Professor Honour will join the University at the end of August 2024 when Professor John Vinney leaves his role.
David Furniss, Chair of the Board of Bournemouth University said: “I am delighted that Professor Alison Honour will be the next Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University. Her appointment comes after an extensive search and selection process involving staff and students from across the University.
“I have no doubt that Professor Honour will be an exceptional leader for our University and I look forward to working with her as she leads us in the development of a new strategy and builds on the achievements to date, under the leadership of Professor John Vinney.”
Chike Dike, President of the Students’ Union at Bournemouth University (SUBU), said: “SUBU is looking forward to welcoming Professor Alison Honour to our Bournemouth University family! We as full-time officers were delighted to be involved in the appointment process and the whole SUBU team is excited to jointly deliver the premium student experience that will transform lives and set our students for future success.”
