The University of Bristol has announced Evelyn Welch as its next vice-chancellor, making her the first woman to lead the institution.

Professor Welch, currently senior vice-president (service, people and planning) at King’s College London, will join Bristol in September. She will succeed Hugh Brady, who has led Bristol since 2015 and has been appointed president of Imperial College London.

A Renaissance historian, Professor Welch joined King’s in 2013 as vice-president (arts and sciences) and was promoted to provost two years later. She has also held senior roles at the University of Sussex, as pro vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, and at Queen Mary University of London, as dean of arts and pro vice-chancellor for research and international.

Professor Welch said Bristol was “a remarkable global university in a great city”.

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“I am excited about the university’s new vision and strategy and proud to be the first woman to lead such an outstanding institution,” she said. “I look forward to serving the whole Bristol community to fully realise our potential and achieve our shared ambitions, locally, nationally and globally.”

Jack Boyer, chair of Bristol’s board of trustees, hailed Professor Welch as “an accomplished academic and university leader”.

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“She is deeply committed to our institutional values and exceptionally well placed to lead our university into the post-Brexit, post-pandemic world,” Mr Boyer said.

“I’m proud that Bristol will welcome its first female vice-chancellor. I have no doubt she will bring new insights and perspectives to the strategic leadership of the university; draw on her considerable experience to build on Bristol’s outstanding teaching and research; and guide us towards achieving our ambitious university vision.”

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com