Lord Myners of Truro will retire as Chancellor of the University of Exeter after five years in the role

Lord Myners to retire as Chancellor of the University of Exeter after five years

Lord Myners of Truro will retire as Chancellor of the University of Exeter after five years in the role, it has been announced.

Paul Myners CBE, who will be 73 in April and a former Government Minister who has led some of the UK’s best known businesses, will relinquish the role at the end of 2021.

Cornishman Lord Myners, who was brought up in Truro by his adoptive parents, took over the mantle of Chancellor from Baroness Floella Benjamin in July 2016.

Speaking of his retirement from the position, Lord Myners said: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to have served as Chancellor and to have presided over many graduation ceremonies during this time.

“As a proud Cornishman, it has been a privilege to have been a part of the University’s successes over the past five years and to have been able to meet and congratulate so many new graduates as they set out to change the world.”

Lord Myners has chaired household name companies including Marks & Spencer, the Guardian Media Group and Land Securities. He was Chairman of the Trustees of the Tate during a period of change in 2004 to 2008, and has held other non-commercial appointments including Chairman of the Low Pay Commission, a Directorship of Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund and membership of the Court of the Bank of England.

He was appointed City Minister in Gordon Brown’s government in 2008, and joined the House of Lords as Lord Myners of Truro, in the County of Cornwall. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Exeter.

During his time as Chancellor, Paul has shaken the hands and signed the graduation certificates of  20,000 students and has played a prominent role in supporting the University’s fundraising and alumni relations.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor  of the University of Exeter, paid tribute to Lord Myners, saying: “On behalf of everyone in the University community, I would like to thank Paul for his service as Chancellor and for being such a great friend of the University for many years.  The search now begins for his replacement. We will be looking for an exceptional individual to support our new long-term strategy.”

Sarah Turvill, Chair of Council at the University of Exeter added: “The Council of the University would like to extend its deepest gratitude to Paul for all the support he has provided to the University, to our students and alumni over the past five years. He will be a difficult act to follow.”

Date: 8 February 2021