King's College London appoints new Vice-President (Service)
King’s College London has today announced Professor Jonathan Grant as its new Vice-President/Vice-Principal (Service). This new role has been created to lead the development of a strategy of service for King’s, one of the five priorities identified in
King’s Strategic Vision 2029.
Vision 2029 sets out King’s ambition ‘to make the world a better place’ and encapsulates the university’s commitment to take on the broader responsibility of shaping and transforming communities and societies across the world, beyond education and research.
Through successful initiatives such as the King’s College London Maths School and the student-led Smile Society which works with the local community to improve dental health, the university is already showing what impact it can have.
With this new part-time appointment, which will sit alongside leaders for the four other priorities – Education, Research, London and International – the Vice-President (Service) will build a strategy focussing on the development, co-ordination, delivery and effectiveness of the service arm of Vision 2029.
“If there has ever been a time for universities to step-up as public institutions and fulfil their public service ethos, it is now,” says Professor Grant, who led on the development of Vision 2029 and will also continue in his role as Assistant Principal for Strategic Initiatives & Public Policy at King’s.
“We want to serve the needs and aspirations of society, both in our individual capacities and together as a university community. I am delighted to have been appointed Vice-President (Service) and look forward to leading the university in going above and beyond what might be expected in our service to local communities and societies across the world.”
President and Principal of King’s College London, Professor Ed Byrne added: “We are most grateful for Jonathan’s work in driving our strategic vision which will mark the 200th anniversary of the university in 2029. It is entirely appropriate for Jonathan to now lead on building our ambition to address the challenges facing societies today through our individual and collective endeavours.”
Professor Grant was Director of the Policy Institute at King’s from 2014-2017, developing its international reputation as a centre of excellence for facilitating the translation of research into policy and practice.
He was also the President of RAND Europe from 2006-2012, overseeing the founding of a vibrant and successful office in Brussels, and the establishment of the Cambridge Centre for Health Services Research, a joint venture with the University of Cambridge.
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For further information please contact the press office at King’s College London on comms@kcl.ac.uk or 0207 848 3202