Message from the Vice Chancellor: Announcing Our New Chancellor
Dear Colleagues
I am delighted to announce that the Rt. Hon Prof the Lord Ajay Kakkar KBE PC, the distinguished surgeon, scientist and crossbench member of the House of Lords, has accepted an invitation to become the next Chancellor of the University of Lincoln.
Lord Kakkar will succeed Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, who last year announced his intention to step down from the role after almost 15 years of service to the University. The installation of the new Chancellor will take place this September ahead of the University’s graduation ceremonies at Lincoln Cathedral.
Lord Kakkar is Emeritus Professor of Surgery at University College London and an independent crossbench member of the House of Lords, having been created a life peer in 2010. He is currently Chairman of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Science Centre.
He was appointed by the Prime Minister as Chairman of the House of Lords Appointments Commission (2013 – 2018) and was also UK Business Ambassador for Healthcare and Lifesciences (2013 – 2018). He served as Chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission from 2016-2022. He was appointed a member of His Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council in 2014.
Lord Kakkar completed his medical degree at King’s College London and received his PhD from Imperial College London. His clinical interests were as a surgical oncologist (gastrointestinal and breast cancer) and in the management of patients with venous thromboembolic disease.
In 2008 he was appointed Director of the Thrombosis Research Institute in London. His research interests include the prevention and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolic disease, and cancer-associated thrombosis; and the development of novel anticoagulant drugs.
He served as Chairman of UCLPartners Academic Health Science Partnership between 2014 – 2021.
In 2020 he became Chairman of The King’s Fund, and Chairman of the board of trustees of UK Biobank. He was appointed Chairman of the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research in 2021 and was recently appointed as Chairman of the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
Lord Kakkar will become the University of Lincoln’s third Chancellor, following Lord Victor (2008-2023) and Dame Elizabeth Esteve-Coll DBE (2001-2008).
He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in diverse fields spanning health, science, justice, business and innovation, and of course, a distinguished career of public service. The Senior Leadership Team and I look forward to working together with him in supporting the University to embrace opportunities ahead and achieve future successes.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks once again to Lord Victor for his devoted service to the University. His contribution to the progress of the University over the past 15 years, and with it the positive impact on our students, colleagues, graduates, and the communities and industries we serve, has been immense.
Professor Neal Juster
Vice Chancellor