Meet the Chancellor
The voluntary role of Chancellor is primarily ceremonial, officiating at Graduation ceremonies and representing the University at other formal occasions.
About Professor Dame Jenny Harries
Professor Dame Jenny Harries, aims to be a role model and an avid supporter of many of the key ambitions of the University’s Citizen Student Strategy – widening access to education, championing diversity, maximising opportunity and outcomes for all staff and students, and actively enriching civic life both locally and globally.
She is best known for the prominent public media role she played in the Covid-19 pandemic response, delivering briefings from Number 10 to our sitting rooms in her former role as Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England and as a Second Permanent Secretary in the Department of Health.
Dame Jenny has made major contributions to a number of significant recent UK health protection responses, including Ebola, Zika, the first mpox case, MERS and the Novichok attacks at Salisbury.
She received an OBE in 2016 for services to Public Health and a DBE in 2022 for services to Health. In 2023 she was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Gwent.
She has been a proud honorary Professor of Public Health here since 2019. She has a special interest in Chester’s Medical School, as well as bringing transferable skills to contribute to the whole University - especially in business, management, science, finance, international relations and local and national government.
Her vast career in public service spans regional leadership roles at Public Health England and joint directorships in local government and NHS bodies across England and Wales. Her expertise extends internationally, having contributed to health policy and evaluation projects in countries such as Pakistan, Albania, India, Brazil and New Zealand.
Dame Jenny said: “In a world of change and global connectedness, exchange of learning, mutual respect and equity of opportunity remain the foundation stones for advancing humanity. That is precisely what the University of Chester achieves and I am delighted to be journeying with so many future citizen students of the world.”