York v-c Charlie Jeffery to lead University of Southampton

Charlie Jeffery has been named the University of Southampton’s next vice-chancellor.

Jeffery, who has led the University of York since 2019, will take up his new role at the south-coast university in October.

The move follows the departure of Southampton’s vice-chancellor Mark E. Smith, who announced in December that he had been appointed a pro vice-chancellor at the University of Oxford.

Jeffery, who currently chairs the N8 Partnership of northern research-intensive universities and Yorkshire Universities, said he was “honoured to be joining the University of Southampton at such an exciting moment”.

“I am hugely impressed by Southampton’s commitment to partnership working in the region and beyond,” said Jeffery, adding it is “more important than ever that universities engage what they do with the communities they serve, and I look forward to building on this rich tradition of civic partnership to deliver impact locally, nationally and globally”.

“I would like to thank students and colleagues at York for their inspiration and support and am looking forward to meeting staff, students and alumni in Southampton,” added Jeffery.

Jeffery’s previous positions have included senior vice-principal at the University of Edinburgh from 2014 to 2019 and chair of the UK’s Political Studies Association from 2009 to 2012.

At York, also a Russell Group member, Jeffery oversaw a university with a £555 million turnover in 2024-25, which saw a surplus of £9 million that year. In 2023-24 it reported a £6 million deficit, which was down from a £24 million deficit in 2022-23.

Southampton’s total income for that financial year was £747.5 million, with a surplus of £6.4 million.

Ian Diamond, who chairs Southampton’s university council, said the university “has a long and proud history of bringing world-leading researchers together to achieve real progress”.

“Professor Jeffery’s leadership, experience and vision will ensure the university continues to thrive in the years ahead,” he said.

jack.grove@timeshighereducation.com