The University of Bedfordshire has announced the appointment of a new vice chancellor, with senior academic leader Professor Deborah Johnston MBE set to take up the role later this year.
She will become vice chancellor and chief executive, succeeding the current leadership at a time of continued change across the higher education sector.
Professor Johnston will join the university from London South Bank University, where she is currently deputy vice chancellor. Her arrival comes after what the university described as a highly competitive recruitment process and she is expected to play a key role in shaping the institution’s future direction and links with the local community.
Simon Yun-Farmbrough, chair of the board of governors at the University of Bedfordshire, said the appointment followed a rigorous selection process.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Deborah Johnston as Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire. Her appointment follows a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, with a strong field of outstanding candidates,” he said.
He added that Professor Johnston stood out for her leadership experience and values, saying: “Deborah demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities throughout the process and brings with her a wealth of experience in driving academic quality, sustainability and inclusive growth. The Board was particularly impressed by her clear values, her commitment to widening participation and student success, and her vision for the role universities play in transforming lives and communities.”
Currently deputy vice chancellor at LSBU, Professor Johnston has led a wide range of professional services supporting institutional growth, quality and strategic development across both the university and the wider LSBU Group, which includes further education colleges and academies. She previously held senior academic roles at SOAS University of London, including pro-director for learning and teaching.
Speaking about her move to Bedfordshire, Professor Johnston said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the University of Bedfordshire as Vice Chancellor. I’m so impressed by the University’s commitment to degrees built around industry needs, its focus on entrepreneurship and its amazing achievements in terms of environmental sustainability, with the support from a community that celebrates diversity and inclusion. I’m looking forward to working and collaborating with students, staff and employers and can’t wait to get started.”
Professor Johnston is a professor of development economics whose research focuses on inequality and poverty. She has published more than 55 journal articles and four books, and has worked across academia, charities, government agencies and international organisations.
Alongside her academic work, she is a national leader for the Disabled Students Commitment and serves as Universities Disability and Access Ambassador for the Cabinet Office. She also sits on the board of a national stammering charity and was awarded an MBE in 2024 for her work on stammering recognition in higher education.
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