Imperial: new Deputy Rector appointed

Imperial College has appointed an engineer with over 30 years’ experience of university education, research and leadership at its new Deputy Rector.

Professor Stephen Richardson, currently Principal of the Faculty of Engineering, was appointed Deputy Rector with effect from 9 November and will combine the two roles.

The post became vacant when the previous Deputy Rector Leszek Borysiewicz left to become chief executive of the UK Medical Research Council

Commenting on his appointment, Richardson said, “I’m looking forward to working with all colleagues to set the college’s priorities for the coming years. To serve as Deputy Rector is a huge honour and I will work very hard to be worthy of it.”

Richardson first joined Imperial as an undergraduate student in 1969, going on to complete his PhD in chemical engineering there in 1975. After a period of research at Cambridge, he returned to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology as a lecturer in 1978 and was made a professor in 1994. He has held a number of senior positions including director of undergraduate studies, deputy head and head of department, and was appointed Principal of the Faculty of Engineering in August 2008.

His research interests include methods of improving safety in the oil and gas industry, and he has provided evidence to major accident investigations including the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster. Richardson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1996.