Keele University is welcoming its new vice-chancellor today.

Professor Kevin Shakesheff commenced his new role this morning after moving from the Open University where he served as the pro vice-chancellor for research and innovation.

He takes up the post today following the retirement of former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Trevor McMillan OBE, who has stepped down after a decade in the role. 

Professor Shakesheff said: "I am delighted to be joining Keele University as the new Vice-Chancellor. Keele has a well-deserved reputation for excellence in both teaching and research which is renowned throughout the academic world and across the region, and I am thrilled at the opportunity to lead this historic institution.

"With its pioneering work in sustainability, research, and civic engagement, and with gold standard teaching, I'm privileged to be joining Keele and look forward to working with colleagues to drive this excellent university forward." 

Professor Shakesheff began his career as a pharmacist, completing his undergraduate and PhD degrees at the University of Nottingham, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA. 

He rejoined the University of Nottingham as an EPSRC Advanced Fellow in 1997, progressing to become Pro Vice-Chancellor there in 2015, with responsibility for the Faculty of Science and cross-institutional oversight of civic engagement.

He joined the Open University in 2021 where his remit included the university's Research, Enterprise & Scholarship Unit, the Institute of Educational Technology, and the Business Development Unit where he oversaw plans for research, commercial activities, and scholarship. 

Professor Shakesheff was Chair of ONE Nottingham and a founding director of the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, an annual event celebrating community engagement with science, technology, engineering and maths.

He has also held prestigious industry and national appointments, including Board Chair of the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction (NC3Rs), founder of the regenerative medicine company Locate Bio Ltd, and former director of the science incubator company, BioCity Ltd. 

He added: "Our university has a special mission, and through our commitment to the highest quality of teaching and the impact of our research, we play a really important role in society." 

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