The University of Suffolk is delighted to announce the appointment of Mark Pendlington to succeed Professor Will Pope as Chair of the University of Suffolk Board, following Professor Pope’s retirement.
Mark Pendlington was appointed to the Board in January 2014 and became Deputy Chair in October 2019. He was part of the Board that led the institution in its quest for Independence in 2016. Mark was previously Chair of the New Anglia LEP and Group Director of Anglian Water.
Mark has lived and worked in the East of England for most of his working life, including in Suffolk for over 20 years. He has extensive experience of working across the public and private sectors including in industry, national and regional voluntary organisations, further and higher education, economic development bodies, local enterprise partnerships, and academia, many with UK, EU and international dimensions.
Alongside his new role of Chair, he is Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Science; Patron of the Green Light Trust; Chair of Governors at The Royal Hospital School; and a Trustee of the British Racing School in Newmarket. Mark is Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk and chairs the Lieutenancy Business and Enterprise Group that promotes The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in recognising business excellence across the county.
Mark takes over from Professor Will Pope, who has been Chair of the University of Suffolk Board since January 2015 and steered the University through much change over the last six and a half years. This includes gaining independence, being awarded taught degree awarding powers and navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Helen Langton, Vice Chancellor of the University of Suffolk said “I am delighted Mark has been appointed as Chair of the Board. He shares our passion for promoting change and driving forward our vision, building on Will’s strong legacy for which we are all extremely grateful. The University is going from strength to strength, and we look forward to Mark’s leadership in the years ahead.”
Mark said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the superb team at the University of Suffolk and thank Will for his outstanding service in recent years. The University is ambitious for our students and for our region, as we drive innovation in teaching and learning across a diverse and growing range of degree and other courses. We enjoy huge support from business and community leaders as well as from industry and local government. We see the University at the heart of driving economic growth, boosting skills and securing the place of this region as the best place in the UK in which to live, work and learn.”
Mark commenced as Chair on 1 August 2021.
