Two new appointments made to University Council

Clare Marx, past President of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Graham Cole, former Chair of AgustaWestland UK, have joined the University’s Council.

The Council, chaired by the Pro-Chancellor Sarah Turvill, consists largely of independent members drawn from the private and public sector to bring a range of experience and professional expertise to the University.

Clare Marx was elected President of Royal College of Surgeons in 2014, completing her three year term in July 2017. Clare has worked as an orthopaedic surgeon at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust for over 20 years, where she has been extensively involved in many of its groups for governance and new projects. In 2007 she received a CBE for services to medicine, and was elected to the Royal College of Surgeons Council in 2009, where she re-energised the Patient Safety agenda.

Clare said: “I am delighted to become an independent member of the governing body of the University of Exeter. I have been struck by the University's quest to provide excellence in education and opportunity for a very diverse group of students and graduates as they pursue their academic and social goals.

“I hope to bring my knowledge and skills from a professional medical world to augment the Council’s quest to ensure optimal experience and outcomes of those who come to the University at all stages of their lives."

Graham Cole has a long and distinguished career in the aerospace industry, including more than 35 years with the AgustaWestland Group, from which he has now retired. He was awarded a CBE in 2004 for his contribution to Aerospace, and the Commendatore dell’ Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana by the President of Italy for his work on Anglo Italian business in 2008.

As well as being Regional Chairman of the CBI South West until September 2014 and a member of the CBI Chairman’s Committee, Graham also served on a number of UK Ministerial Committees, led the Cole Commission Report on Global Trade and was a member of the Ministerial Aerospace Committee.

Graham said: “I am thrilled and delighted to be invited to join Council. I hope that my experience over many years in industry may be helpful to this outstanding university.”

The appointments come shortly after Sir Michael Barber stood down as a member of Council, in order to become the first Chair of the Office for Students.

Sarah Turvill, Chair of Council for the University of Exeter said “We are delighted to welcome Clare Marx and Graeme Cole onto our governing body. Their business acumen and leadership will be invaluable in supporting Exeter in its next exciting phase of development.”