Professor Kevin Shakesheff will be leaving the University in April to become Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research, Enterprise and Scholarship at the Open University.

Professor Shakesheff’s new role will see him delivering strategic leadership for the Open University’s research, enterprise and scholarship, including its approach to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), knowledge exchange and entrepreneurial activities. 

Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West paid tribute to Professor Shakesheff:

“Over his 23-year career at Nottingham, Kevin has made an immense contribution as a leader in research, as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Science and as a valued member of the University Executive Board. Most recently, he has also led the University’s work to enhance the role we play across the city through his leadership of the Universities for Nottingham initiative. I would like to thank Kevin for his outstanding work at Nottingham and wish him every success in his new endeavour.”   

Professor Shakesheff said:

“After a career of more than 23 years at Nottingham, I shall miss the many colleagues, students and alumni that have become friends and reflect on the many achievements we have secured together for the University and the city. As an alum I look forward to staying involved with this fantastic University and I will always be grateful for the opportunities that I’ve been given in the local community, across the UK and in our campuses in Malaysia and China. The mission, vision and values of the Open University are inspiring and I hope my experiences in research, enterprise and scholarship at Nottingham will make a valuable contribution.”

During his time at Nottingham, Professor Shakesheff has grown collaborative research in regenerative medicine resulting in new technologies for spinal surgery and tissue repair. This work led to the creation of the University spin-off company, Locate Bio Ltd which employs scientists at the Medicity site in Beeston. He has taught many generations of pharmacy students and as Head of School led an ambitious redesign of our very successful Masters of Pharmacy Programme.

More recently, he has been PVC for the Faculty of Science for the past 5 years and led activities on civic engagement. In the civic role he is the Chair of One Nottingham, the city’s partnership board and has been a board member of Biocity for the past 4 years. In 2020, he became Chair of the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement and Reduction (NC3Rs). 

Kevin will be taking up role at the Open University on 12 April, and arrangements to secure his successor as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Science will be confirmed in due course.