Vice-Chancellors

Professor Derek John Anderson — Vice-Chancellor 1996

BSc Nott PhD Wales, FLS
Vice-Chancellor: 1996
Fellow of Senate: 1996

On 3 June 1996, the Chancellor Emeritus Professor Dame Leonie Kramer spoke on the occasion of Professor Anderson’s last meeting as Vice-Chancellor, commenting that Professor Anderson had carried out an extremely difficult and demanding task in 1995/1996. She said that considerable change in the University had been brought about by Professor Anderson’s own example; he had built an important feeling of relaxation and determination and the sense that the University must and could take a unified approach to problems and opportunities. Professor Anderson had brought a spirit of collegiality to senior officers, Departments, Professors and Deans. She thanked Professor Anderson for his consistently good humour, willingness to tackle difficult problems and ability to get on with people. She asked for these words to be recorded in the minutes.

The Chancellor’s words were seconded by Mr Coles, and endorsed by Professor Rees in relation to his accessibility, collegiality and highly professional way of giving leadership; by Dr Macnab from the point of view of academic staff; by Ms Corby from the point of view of students; and by Professor Mack in relation to the very positive mood in the Academic Board in the way it was addressing its problems, much of which he believed was due to Professor Anderson.

Professor Anderson expressed his appreciation for these comments, and drew special attention to the support given to him by his senior colleagues, who had worked enormously hard and well together. He felt he had had great support from Senate and the Academic Board, placed on record his belief that the University had a senior team second to none, and expressed his hope that Professor Brown would receive their full support to realise the full potential of the University.