9 October 2025
UCEA announces Professor Nishan Canagarajah as new Chair
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) is delighted to announce that Professor Nishan Canagarajah, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been appointed as UCEA’s new Chair following a unanimous Board election. Professor Canagarajah’s role will be for a term of three years, from 1 November 2025.
Commenting on his new position, Professor Canagarajah said: “I am honoured to have been appointed Chair and am well aware that this is an extremely pivotal time for UCEA, its 169 member institutions, and the wider higher education (HE) sector. While HE institutions face unprecedented sustainability challenges, UCEA remains steadfast in the expert support it provides to its members.
“UCEA’s overriding objective is to do as much as we can to support all staff within the limits of affordability. And a key strategic priority for UCEA is to support employer aspirations to enhance the employee experience while working collaboratively and constructively with sector partners and trade unions. I look forward to working with other Board members to support this agenda.
“On behalf of the Board I would like to express our gratitude and admiration to George for his dedication as Chair, guiding us through tumultuous times while working tirelessly to achieve outcomes with trade unions for the good of the sector.”
Raj Jethwa, Chief Executive of UCEA added: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Nishan Canagarajah as UCEA’s new Chair. Nishan has been a member of the UCEA Board since January 2023 and brings a wealth of experience to the role, which will be invaluable in steering the Board and supporting UCEA’s work on behalf of our members through the changes and challenges ahead. We look forward to his guidance as we move forward.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to UCEA’s outgoing Chair, Professor George Boyne, for his dedication and leadership over the past three years. George’s deep commitment has been instrumental in helping UCEA’s members to navigate some difficult and uncharted waters."
ENDS
For further information from UCEA, please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk), Marc Whittaker, Public Affairs and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk), Armelle Griffin (a.griffin@ucea.ac.uk), or Ashleigh Rigden (a.rigden@ucea.ac.uk), Communications Officers.
For further information from the University of Leicester, please contact Chris Fidler, Head of News at the University of Leicester press office on 0116 252 2160 or press@le.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
UCEA is the body that represents the interests and views of 169 UK higher education organisations as employers.
UCEA’s Board is made up of 18 members drawn from both the Committee of University Chairs (CUC), and Vice-Chancellors/Principals from Universities UK, GuildHE and Universities Scotland.
For more information on UCEA’s Board go to www.ucea.ac.uk/about-us/board/
