The vice-chancellor of Sussex University is to leave for a new job, it was announced today (Friday 25 June).
Adam Tickell, 56, has been appointed the new vice-chancellor of Birmingham University, starting next January.
Professor Tickell joined Sussex from Birmingham five years ago, in September 2016, where he was the provost and vice-principal.
Sussex is looking to appoint an interim vice-chancellor – the equivalent of a chief executive – while it searches for a permanent replacement. Professor Tickell’s permanent replacement would be unlikely to start before next summer.
This morning Dame Denise Holt, who chairs the university’s council – its governing body – emailed staff and paid tribute to Professor Tickell.
She said: “I would like to share my immense gratitude to Adam for his thoughtful and purposeful leadership of the university during his tenure.
“As vice-chancellor, Adam has re-energised the Sussex spirit that has been our unique feature since our founding 60 years ago.
“That spirit was distilled down into our Sussex 2025 strategy, published just two years into Adam’s tenure.
“It is a strategy unlike any other in the sector. It boldly professes our belief in doing things differently, staying proudly outward-looking and being welcoming to all.
“It describes and celebrates a university united by values, not background or circumstance.
“Most compellingly, it highlights how all of these things are not by-products of success but are in fact central to our ambitions.
“On behalf of council, I am delighted with the progress we have made under Adam’s leadership in bringing Sussex 2025 to life. With four years still to go, we have already achieved much of what we set out to.
“We’ve consistently remained in the world’s top 200 universities and were ranked 41st in the world this year for our action towards meeting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“We have been number one in the world for development studies for six of the past seven years.
“As you all know, this has all taken place against the backdrop of an incredibly challenging and turbulent period in UK higher education.
“Adam’s belief in Sussex, his trust in our people and his influence and standing within the sector and beyond have undoubtedly steered us towards calmer waters.
