26
May
2015
|
11:59
Europe/London

Voting opens to elect new Chancellor

The ballot to elect the next Chancellor of The University of Manchester opens today (Tuesday).

Staff, registered alumni and members of the General Assembly can now vote for one of the three candidates to put their name forward for the ceremonial head of the University.

Award-winning writer and broadcaster Lemn Sissay MBE, former Cabinet minister the Rt Hon Lord [Peter] Mandelson and Hallé Music Director Sir Mark Elder CBE have all been nominated and now face a vote by the electorate.

The election of a new Chancellor comes following the end of the seven-year tenure of the current Chancellor, Tom Bloxham MBE, the founder of Manchester-based property development company Urban Splash.

University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, said: “The Chancellor of the University, while a ceremonial office, brings with it significant ambassadorial responsibilities in helping to promote the University’s achievements regionally, nationally and internationally.

“The Chancellor presides over meetings of the University’s General Assembly and undertakes other ceremonial duties on behalf of the University, something Tom has done with great enthusiasm in his time as Chancellor.”

The election to choose the new Chancellor will close on 18 June and the results will be announced on 22 June, with the successful candidate taking office on 1 August for a period of seven years.

Voting instructions will be issued by email and by post (to those that have requested a postal vote) directly by the University’s electoral agent Election Reform Services (ERS) today.