University of Hertfordshire welcomes new Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Woodman

Formerly Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of West London (UWL), where he oversaw an extensive remit, Professor Woodman brings a clear mission to his new role at Herts: to transform lives through education, boost graduate employability, and strengthen the University’s role as a driver of social mobility and innovation.

“Herts has always been about opportunity,” explains Professor Anthony Woodman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire. “We’re here to help students shape their futures – not just academically, but personally and professionally. That means making sure they leave us with the skills, confidence and experience to thrive in the world beyond university.”

At the heart of Professor Woodman’s vision is a renewed focus on student experience and employability. Passionate about ensuring that every student – whether from the UK or overseas – feels supported, engaged, and ready for the workplace, he’s keen to make sure the University’s offer goes beyond the basics.

“We need to be a place that surprises and delights,” he says. “Where students feel they’re getting real value, real support and real outcomes.”

With a career spanning research, enterprise, and international leadership, Professor Woodman has an extensive and impressive background in academia and high-level strategic leadership. A Professor of Translation Medicine (a collaborative field that combines basic science and clinical research to develop new treatments and improve patient health) at Cranfield University until 2007, Professor Woodman went on to work as Chief Executive of ICRI Global Research, a private organisation providing support and training in clinical drug development in India, Singapore and the UK, before joining the University of West London in 2011.

His research discipline is molecular oncology and specifically the development and implementation of diagnostic and prognostic platforms informing care and management of cancer patients; research that has been undertaken in collaboration with a number of major pharmaceutical companies.

Due to this background in translational medicine and a deep respect for the University’s strengths in STEM – including aeronautical engineering and astrophysics – Professor Woodman is keen to champion research that makes a real difference to people’s lives.

One of the most exciting ‘real world’ developments under Professor Woodman’s leadership is the upcoming launch of the University’s new medical school – the Hertfordshire Medical School – in September 2026, a project he describes as transformative not just for healthcare education, but for the entire “ecosystem of the University.”

“I see the Hertfordshire Medical School as a catalyst for collaboration across disciplines, from healthcare to business, and a powerful symbol of the University’s commitment to regional impact and national relevance,” Professor Woodman explains.

“While there are challenges ahead, this is a moment to make our mark. We have the chance to invest in our people, our spaces, our community and our ideas – and to do it in a way that’s sustainable, inclusive, and future-focused.”

But perhaps his most personal passion is social mobility. Drawing on his own experiences and those of his family, Professor Woodman is fervent about the role of education in helping people take control of their futures.

“I wasn’t the first in my family to go to university, but I know what it means to come from a background where opportunity isn’t guaranteed,” he finishes. “That’s why I believe so strongly in what we do here. We’re not just teaching – we’re changing lives.”

Professor Anthony Woodman becomes the fourth Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire since it was granted university status in 1992, succeeding Professor Quintin McKellar CBE, who retired this summer after 14 years of exemplary service.