Professor Brian Cantor appointed as our new Vice-Chancellor

The University of Bradford has announced the appointment of Brian Cantor CBE as its new Vice-Chancellor and Principal. Professor Cantor has been Vice-Chancellor at the University of York since 2002, and succeeds Professor Mark Cleary who has held the post since 2007.

Commenting on his appointment Professor Cantor said: “I am proud and deeply honoured to be invited to be the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford. It is a great University and a great city. I look forward to working over the next few years with the University’s staff, students, alumni, friends and partners, to help build its future strength and success.”

Paul Jagger, Chair of Council at the University of Bradford said: “Professor Cantor brings a wealth of experience to the role, in higher education, business, government and the region. We are delighted to be able to appoint such a highly respected figure to lead our University. He is perfectly placed to develop a compelling and exciting vision for our institution and drive forward our mission – Making Knowledge Work.”

Professor Cantor started his career at Sussex University before moving to the University of Oxford in 1981. He became the Director of the Oxford Centre for Advanced Materials and Composites in 1990 and in 1995 was appointed as Head of the Department of Materials. He progressed to the role of Head of the Division of Mathematical and Physical Sciences before joining York as Vice-Chancellor in 2002. There he has led the Heslington East campus development as well as increasing the University’s international footprint and profile, particularly in China and the Far East.

During his career he has consulted for various companies including Alcan, Elsevier, General Electric and Rolls-Royce. He has advised organisations such as NASA, the EU, and UK, Dutch, Spanish and German government agencies, and was a member of the Sainsbury Review of UK science and innovation. Professor Cantor has supervised over 130 research students & postdocs, published over 300 papers and books, given over 100 invited talks in more than 15 countries; and is on the ISI List of Most Cited Researchers.

He has chaired and been on the board of many companies and agencies, including Isis Innovation, the Kobe Institute, the UK Universities Pensions Forum, the White Rose Consortium, Yorkshire Innovation, Leeds and York Economic Partnerships, the Chambers of Commerce, the National Science Learning Centre, the Centre for Low Carbon Futures, and the Worldwide Universities Network. He is acknowledged as a world authority on materials manufacturing and is a Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Professor Cantor will take up his new position on 1 October 2013.