Sir Keith O’Nions has formally taken up his role as Chair of University Council, succeeding John Mills who stepped down from the role at the end of December.

Sir Keith is a renowned scientist and former President and Rector of Imperial College London. His career includes roles as Director-General Science and Innovation at the Department for Innovation and Universities and Skills, and Chief Scientific Advisor to the Ministry of Defence.

The University’s Chair of Council is responsible for leading the University’s Council, a body of high profile and influential individuals, which makes key decisions and senior appointments, influences strategy, and acts as ambassadors for the University, helping it to fulfil its mission and delivering impact across the communities that the University is part of both locally and globally.

Sir Keith, who was Head of Earth Sciences and Professor of Physics and Chemistry Minerals at the University of Oxford was knighted in 1999 for services to Earth Science.