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Oscar winning actor Jeremy Irons named Chancellor of Bath Spa University

Thursday, 21 July, 2016

Bath Spa University has announced that Jeremy Irons has accepted the position of Chancellor. It is the first time in its history that the University will have a Chancellor.

The news was announced by Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University, Professor Christina Slade who said:

“Creativity is at the heart of Bath Spa University. Through his vast experience in the arts Jeremy Irons will bring unique insight to Bath Spa University and influence our vision to be the leading university for creativity, culture and enterprise.

“I look forward to working closely with Mr Irons in his new role and the opportunities this new relationship will afford the University.”

Jeremy Irons has a long and illustrious career in film, television and theatre. He trained at the Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol and first performed on stage in 1969. He has appeared in numerous productions in both the West End of London and on Broadway winning a Tony Award for Best Actor for his role in The Real Thing in 1984.

His performance in TV series Brideshead Revisited resulted in his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and he won a further Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Emmy Award for his performance in Elizabeth I.

His numerous film credits include Kafka, Dead Ringers, Lolita, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Lion King, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Reversal of Fortune for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Speaking about his appointment, Jeremy Irons said:

“I am delighted and honoured to have been elected the first Chancellor of Bath Spa University. I look forward to playing a part in the University’s growing success and international renown.

“Being a believer in the importance of integrated education I am delighted to see the education and research happening at Bath Spa moving in this direction. Having been educated at Sherborne, trained and apprenticed at the Bristol Old Vic including a run at the Theatre Royal Bath it feels right for me to accept this role.

“I hope that my international visibility will be a further aid in attracting students from both this country and overseas. I look forward to my tenure.”

The Chancellor is the ceremonial figurehead of the university and plays an important ambassadorial role for the University.

An investiture ceremony will take place in the autumn when Jeremy Irons will formally be installed as Chancellor of Bath Spa University.