Dame DeAnne Julius appointed next Chair of UCL Council

Dame DeAnne is a distinguished and high-profile international economist and has held a variety of influential executive and non-executive positions in the public and private sectors.

As UCL’s governing body, the Council oversees the management and administration of UCL and the conduct of its affairs, subject to the advice of the Academic Board on matters of academic policy. Council also approves UCL’s mission and strategic vision and its long-term academic and business plans.

Welcoming the appointment, Professor Michael Arthur, UCL President & Provost, said: “Dame DeAnne is a highly accomplished Chair and her exemplary non-executive career experience makes her an ideal person for this role, which is of crucial importance for UCL. I very much look forward to working with her.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to Stephen, who has served as council Chair since 2008. He has been a dynamic, well-liked and highly effective Chair and I want to thank him for his years of service and significant contribution to UCL.”

Dame DeAnne said:  "I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed Chair. UCL is one of the world's leading universities, with a rich history and exciting future prospects. Academic excellence and the pursuit of research that addresses real-world problems are its core strengths. Building on these, I am greatly looking forward to working with Professor Arthur and the Council to help UCL reach its ambitious goals for the future."

As a dual US/UK citizen, Dame DeAnne earned her PhD in economics at the University of California where she also taught for three years, before joining the World Bank to work on projects in Africa and Asia.

After moving to the UK she was Chief Economist for Royal Dutch Shell and then British Airways, before being appointed as a founder member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Bank of England in 1997.

In 2001 she commenced her Non-Executive career on the boards of BP, Lloyds TSB and Roche, as well as joining the Court of the Bank of England. She also served on the Advisory Board of The Judge Institute at Cambridge.

Her major chairing experience has come through her highly successful years at Chatham House of which she was Chairman from 2003 to 2012. Dame DeAnne is Vice President of the UK Society of Business Economists, is an expert commentator for the Financial Times and has published five books and numerous papers throughout her career.

Outgoing Chair, Sir Stephen Wall, commented: "UCL is a wonderful institution of which to be Chair. I can promise Dame DeAnne that she will find the role fulfilling and fun." Enterprising Cambridge students win major breast cancer start-up competition