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Sir David Bell named Roehampton University’s Chair of Council
Story Posted: 25 June 2008
Roehampton University has appointed business leader Sir David Bell as its new Chair of Council.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul O’Prey, announced the appointment: “This is a wonderful coup for Roehampton University and I am delighted to welcome him to the role at what is a very exciting time for the University.
“He brings a wealth of experience and skills in areas directly relevant to the University’s forward strategy.”
In his role, Sir David will chair the University’s governing body, which is responsible for ensuring the effective management of the University and planning its future development.
Sir David has enjoyed a very distinguished career. After graduating from Cambridge with a 2:1 in History, he completed his MA in Economics and Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. He worked at the Financial Times from 1972 until 1996 in a variety of roles – for the final three years as Chief Executive.
Since 1996 Sir David has been a Director of Pearson, the largest educational publisher in the world, which also owns the Penguin Group and the Financial Times Group. He is one of five executive directors on the board of Pearson and currently serves as Chairman of the FT and Director for People at Pearson.
Sir David is also a Non-Executive Director of the Economist and actively supports a diverse range of organisations, which currently includes Chairmanships of Sadler's Wells and Crisis (the UK homeless charity) – two areas of particular interest to Roehampton University.
He was also Chairman of the Millennium Bridge Trust (1995–2002) and was responsible for conceiving the first new bridge across Thames in the centre of London for 100 years.
Sir David was knighted for services to industry, the arts and charity. He is married with three children and lives in Islington.