Leading scientist is York’s new Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Posted on 31 March 2015

The University of York has appointed Professor Saul Tendler as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Saul Tendler, the University's new Deputy Vice-Chancellor

Professor Tendler is currently Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at The University of Nottingham where he also holds a Chair in Biophysical Chemistry.

At York, he will play a leading role in the implementation of the new University Strategy, academic planning and enhancing international links as well as representing the Vice-Chancellor and the University.

He will succeed Dr Jane Grenville who is stepping down at the end of September after three years as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. She was also Acting Vice-Chancellor from October to December 2013. Professor Tendler will take up his appointment on the 1 September.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, Professor Koen Lamberts, said: “Saul Tendler is a scientist of the highest calibre with a formidable track record both as an academic and in leadership roles. I am thrilled that we have secured the services of such an outstanding candidate for what will be a key position in shaping the next phase of the University’s development.”

Professor Tendler said: “I am really delighted to have been appointed to this exciting position at this dynamic and distinctive University. I look forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor, Council, staff and students in the further advancement of the excellence of the University through the implementation of the innovative University Strategy. I am particularly looking forward to leading on academic planning and further strengthening the international profile of the University.”

Professor Sir David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham said “Professor Tendler’s impact on the research agenda at The University of Nottingham has been significant, and the success of our current research portfolio is in no small part linked to his leadership. Among the many initiatives Saul has led, his vision and energy has most recently been demonstrated in his role in securing Government commitment to the £60m Midlands Energy Research Accelerator. Saul will leave Nottingham’s research in good shape and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his commitment and passion during his tenure at Nottingham.”

Further information:

Professor Saul Tendler gained a BSc (First Class Honours) in Pharmacy at the University of Manchester in 1982 and four years later was awarded a PhD from the University of Aston. From 1986-1988 he was a Medical Research Council Training Fellow at the National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, before being appointed to a Lectureship at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Nottingham. He was subsequently promoted to Reader in 1995 and Professor of Biophysical Chemistry in 1998. From 1999 to 2003, Professor Tendler was Dean of the University of Nottingham's Graduate School. For the next six years he headed the School of Pharmacy before becoming a Pro-Vice-Chancellor in 2009.
From 2003-2008, Professor Tendler was a member of the HEFCE Strategic Committee for Research. He was the UUK nominated member of the HEFCE/UUK/GuildHE Quality in Higher Education Group from 2010-2013. Professor Tendler has been appointed by HEFCE to the UK Healthcare Education Advisory Committee that advises HEFCE, SFC, HEFCW, and DENI on matters of healthcare research and teaching.
Professor Tendler has significant experience of technology transfer and translational research; he was a founding director of Molecular Profiles Ltd, a successful spin-out company that emerged in 1998. He has been a Director of Nottingham University Industrial and Commercial Enterprise Ltd, as well as the University's Director of BioCity Nottingham Ltd, Europe's largest bio-incubator for spin-out companies. He was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in 2010.
His research interests are directed towards biomolecular aspects of nanotechnology. Working at the interface between the biological, chemical and the physical sciences, the research investigates the fabrication, structure and recognition properties of higher-order biomolecular architectures. These studies have resulted in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, the award of a DSc and have been recognized through a number of international prizes. He has served on many Research Council boards and committees and was Chair of the MRC/BBSRC/EPSRC Discipline Hopping Panel. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, and was designated a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain in 2000.
Born in 1961, Professor Tendler is married with three children. His hobbies include sailing and walking the family dog.