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Appointment of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange appointed

Posted on 16 March 2017

Professor Jon Timmis has been appointed as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Knowledge Exchange.

Professor Timmis, who will step down as Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering, will lead on delivering the University Strategy’s key objectives in developing and extending our engagement with business and industry.

The role will see Professor Timmis focus on enhancing the University’s knowledge exchange and innovation partnerships and help develop and extend our fundraising activity.

His appointment comes at a crucial time for UK HE, and will enable the University to exploit opportunities arising from the new Industrial Strategy and the continued focus on the Northern Powerhouse and Devolution.

Vice Chancellor Professor Koen Lamberts said: "Jon has a long track record in knowledge exchange, innovation and spin-out activity and has developed robust partnerships with industry.

"I am looking forward to working closely with him in his new role as we advance our ability to develop a compelling strategy to increase partnerships and income across a portfolio of business and industrial engagement."

Professor Timmis said: "I am very excited to take up this new role for the University. There are real and significant opportunities for the University to develop its business and industry partnerships, develop robust intellectual property and innovation strategies, and create new opportunities to embed knowledge exchange across our academic departments.

"I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues across the institution, our existing partners and alumni community to identify opportunities to bring new partners and funding into the university at such a challenging time for UK HE.

"There are significant opportunities to make a real difference to our financial sustainability as a result of the government’s new Industrial Strategy and through York’s involvement with the Northern Powerhouse and I am determined that York will benefit from these new initiatives."

Professor Andy Tyrrell, current Deputy Head (Research) of the Department of Electronic Engineering, will become the new Head of Department.

Both Professor Timmis and Professor Tyrrell will take up their new roles on 1 August 2017.