Sir Lindsay Hoyle Appointed Chancellor of University of Wolverhampton
Speaker of the House of Commons takes on new role, succeeding Lord Paul after a 26-year tenure.
By Aisha Mahmood
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of a red-brick university building with ornate details, under a blue sky.
The University of Wolverhampton has announced that Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, will become its next Chancellor, succeeding Lord Paul.
The University of Wolverhampton is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, as its new Chancellor. He succeeds Lord Paul of Marylebone, who served with distinction for 26 years, significantly contributing to the University's growth and civic mission.
This appointment marks a significant moment for the University, a leading UK institution for social mobility. Wolverhampton is dedicated to fostering opportunity, transforming lives, and supporting community development through widening participation, research, and innovation.
Sir Lindsay's background, values, and public service align with the University's mission. Raised in Lancashire and with deep roots in local communities, he began his public service as the youngest-ever councillor in Chorley in 1980. He later served as Deputy Leader and Mayor of Chorley before being elected as an MP in 1997. He became Speaker of the House of Commons in 2019 and was knighted in 2018.
Throughout his career, Sir Lindsay has advocated for fairness, representation, and opportunity, ensuring all voices are heard. His commitment to inclusion and civic engagement mirrors the University of Wolverhampton's core values.
In his role as Chancellor, Sir Lindsay will act as an ambassador during a period of growth and ambition for the University. This includes increased student numbers, major investments in estates and digital transformation, the launch of a new Clinical Trials Unit, and the establishment of the Black Country Medical School.
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"We are immensely honoured that Sir Lindsay Hoyle has agreed to become our next Chancellor. As a proud civic University, we are committed to transforming lives through education, research, and innovation and to making a lasting contribution to the communities and regions we serve. Sir Lindsay brings a longstanding commitment to public service and a deep understanding of the importance of public institutions and the communities they serve. His lifelong commitment to fairness and inclusion makes him an inspiring choice to champion the University, our students, and our civic mission. We look forward to working with him as we continue to create opportunities for our students, support our region and extend our impact."
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"I am deeply honoured to be appointed Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton. Throughout my public life, I have been passionate about creating opportunities for people and supporting communities to thrive. Just as I have championed social mobility in Parliament – by reaching out through our apprenticeship schemes to under-represented communities to consider working with us in Westminster - the University shares those values by actively working to transform lives through education. I have always believed that greater understanding comes when we are more diverse, so we need to remove the barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their full potential. I look forward to meeting students, staff and graduates, and to championing a university that plays such an important role in its region while making a positive impact nationally and internationally."
Sir Lindsay's appointment signifies a new chapter for the University, reinforcing its dedication to fostering a more inclusive, prosperous, and equitable future for the communities it serves.
