Lord Mandelson has been officially installed as Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University during a grand ceremony at Manchester Town Hall.
The former Labour minister and European Trade Commissioner was presented as Chancellor to become the University’s fourth such figurehead, succeeding Dame Dianne Thompson DBE.
Lord Mandelson was installed as Chancellor by Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press and Pro-Chancellor Vanda Murray OBE and was appointed to the role of Chancellor from 1 April 2016 for a five-year term.
Speaking of his pride at joining the University, he said: “What struck me about everyone at Manchester Metropolitan is the excitement and ambition. The students, the staff, the plans for the future. It is going to be so exciting to be involved and I think it’s going to be tremendous fun.”
The role of Chancellor is to act as the most senior ambassador and ceremonial head of the University, promoting its mission, vision and values.
Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are a University looking to the future. A confident University, a sustainable University, rooted in our community, driven by aspiration, and working in partnership.
“As we have got to know each other I have been consistently impressed by Peter’s ability to see the bigger picture. To help me grasp the important elements in projects where we are working together. To understand the importance of a clear message and coherent strategy and then to move swiftly towards an elegant solution.
“It is these qualities that Prime Ministers and Presidents recognise and so deeply admire in Peter. He is a global statesman, held in high regard, in the highest places across the world.”
Vanda Murray, OBE, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of the Board of Governors, said: “Today is about celebrating the accession to our team of its newest member, Lord Mandelson. Peter is someone who shares our ambition and is determined to work with us to maximise our potential. We are delighted to welcome Peter to our University and to ‘Team Manchester’ and to work together in this fantastic dynamic city.”
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