UNSW’s Colin Grant appointed next Aston vice-chancellor

Aston University has appointed Colin Grant as its next vice-chancellor and chief executive. 

Grant joins from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, where he served as deputy vice-chancellor global, and will be the third Aston vice-chancellor appointed in recent years with experience leading an Australian institution. 

He follows Aleks Subic, who stepped down after four years in post to return to Australia as president of Torrens University Australia. 

Alec Cameron, who held the role before Subic, had served as a deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Western Australia prior to joining Aston, and is now vice-chancellor of Melbourne’s RMIT University. 

Born in Scotland, Grant also previously served as vice-principal international at Queen Mary University of London, and has worked in management positions at the universities of Southampton, Bath and Surrey. 

Grant described Aston as an “incredible university” that lies “in the heart of a great global city and region that has long valued diversity, community and openness to the world”. 

“I look forward to working with the amazing staff and students at Aston, and our many partners at home and overseas, to successfully lead the university in its next chapter,” he said. 

While much of the UK sector faces financial deficits amid falling international student numbers and increased cost pressures, the Birmingham-based public university recorded a £4.2 million surplus in 2024-25.

But its latest annual report acknowledged that the institution “continues to face a significant cost challenge due to wage and non-pay inflation”. 

Earlier this year, Aston was forced to repay £1.3 million in public funding after authorities identified breaches linked to its apprenticeship provision. 

Commenting on the latest appointment, Aston University pro-chancellor and chair of council Matthew Crummack said Grant “brings with him a wealth of experience from some of the most prestigious universities across the world” and “has an outstanding track record on delivering institutional growth, partnerships, research excellence and strong student outcomes”.

“He has a clear vision for Aston, aligning with our institutional values and ambitions, and focusing on our many strengths and our impact, locally, nationally and across the world,” Crummack said.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com