The Russell Group

The Chairman of The Russell Group is Professor Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of University College London.

The Director General is Dr Wendy Piatt. You can contact her through her PA, Carol Glenn, at (piatt.pa@russellgroup.ac.uk, telephone 020 7872 5802).

For media enquiries, please contact Daniel O'Connor at media@russellgroup.ac.uk or call 0207 872 5805. For out of hours enquiries please call 075 3060 2945.

For more information about Russell Group staff, please refer to the Contacts page.


The Russell Group is an association of 20 major research-intensive universities of the United Kingdom. Formed in 1994 at a meeting convened in Russell Square, the Group is composed of the Vice-Chancellors/Principals of the Universities listed opposite. There are also a number of active working groups.

In 2006/07, Russell Group Universities accounted for 66% (over £2.2 billion) of UK Universities' research grant and contract income, 68% of total Research Council income, 56% of all doctorates awarded in the United Kingdom, and over 30% of all students studying in the United Kingdom from outside the EU. In the 2001 national Research Assessment Exercise, 78% of the staff in Grade 5* departments and 57% of the staff in Grade 5 departments were located in Russell Group Universities, and in 2007/08 Russell Group Universities were allocated approximately 66% of the total quality-related (QR) research funding allocated by the Funding Councils.

The purpose of The Russell Group is to provide thought leadership and strategic direction for the 20 major research intensive universities of the UK; we aim to ensure that policy development in a wide range of issues relating to higher education is underpinned by a robust evidence base and a commitment to civic responsibility, improving life chances, raising aspirations and contributing to economic prosperity and innovation. Further information on our aims and objectives can be found here.

The Russell Group of Universities
A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales under company number 6086902 Registered office: Kett House, Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JY.

© The Russell Group