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The Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed �������� Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Galbraith to its board of directors with immediate effect.

Professor Galbraith comes to the board with extensive experience in management and a strong entrepreneurial outlook which is supported by a substantial record of academic achievement and an in-depth understanding of the higher education sector in the UK and overseas.

Professor Galbraith’s experience in the education sector includes the past six years at the �������� with previous roles as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University.  His additional attributes include being a Chartered Engineer, Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Chartered Institution for Building Service Engineers and a member of the Institute of Directors.

Not only was Professor Galbraith elected to the Universities UK Board in 2018, but also chairs its Longer Term Strategy Network. Professor Galbraith also boasts being a member of the UPP Foundation Advisory Board, the Study Portals Advisory Board, EdTech Advisory Board for Higher and Further Education and been twice-elected to the CBI South East Regional Council.  

The important role that universities based in the Solent region have on the local economy was highlighted last year in a report commissioned by the LEP, entitled "Economic Impact of the Solent Area Universities". It demonstrated that universities based in the region are more economically significant to the regional economy than the wider higher education sector is to the UK economy as a whole. In 2015/16 the Solent area universities generated £4.2 billion GVA and supported around 52,300 jobs across the UK, and this included £2.1 billion GVA and around 33,000 jobs in the Solent LEP area.

Professor Galbraith said of the new role: “I’m thrilled to be invited to the board of directors at the Solent LEP and look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience to further inform its strategies and programmes.  Being able to make a difference in the wider Solent area is a fantastic opportunity which I’m excited to be a part of.”

Chair of Solent LEP, Gary Jeffries said: “We are delighted to welcome Professor Galbraith to the Board and are sure his passion for higher education and its power to transform the life choices of individuals from a variety of backgrounds will shine through.  His commitment to ensure students are provided with the very best experience is underpinned by internationally excellent research and world-class business engagements.  We’re excited for what Professor Galbraith can bring to the Board.”