Image: York St John University
Karen Stanton is leaving after four years in the role, Research Professional News can reveal
The vice-chancellor of York St John University is to step down.
Research Professional News learned of Karen Stanton’s forthcoming departure when the headhunter firm Minerva listed the position of vice-chancellor on its website. It is understood she will leave in November.
Minerva, which offers what it describes as “executive search and leadership services”, is a recruitment company that specialises in appointing people to senior roles. Since at least 9 October, its website has been listing “Vice Chancellor, York St John University” on its board of opportunities.
York St John University confirmed the departure to Research Professional News on the afternoon of 10 October.
However, the university was initially reluctant to provide a statement. Research Professional News contacted York St John on 9 October and was told that an “updated announcement” regarding Stanton’s position was to be made this week. When we contacted the press office again on 10 October, another staff member told us that an announcement about Stanton leaving was “not something I have seen any statement about”.
Stanton joined York St John in 2015. Before that, she was deputy vice-chancellor at Glasgow Caledonian University. She has also held positions at King’s College London, the University of Nottingham, the University of Birmingham and Sheffield Hallam University.
A spokesperson for York St John said: “During the past four years, York St John University has achieved top 30 status nationally for student satisfaction and graduate employment, climbed national league tables, increased our student intake and launched both our new London Campus and a radical new contextual offer scheme to give more people the chance to benefit from higher education.
“Professor Karen Stanton has led this work and championed causes the university has supported that promote a fairer, more inclusive society. We are deeply grateful for her considerable contribution. We have now launched our search for a new vice-chancellor to build on this positive legacy. We are seeking an experienced leader whose values resonate with the university’s and who can help to steer it through a period that is likely to present complex challenges but also fantastic opportunities.”
Minerva has been approached for comment.