PhD DSc FREng
Vice-Chancellor
University of Southampton

Since taking up the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton in October 2001, Professor Bill Wakeham has overseen a major restructuring of the university, together with the development of a strong vision underpinned by a focussed strategy, to ensure the university’s ongoing success. As head of a leading UK university, with strength and breadth of expertise across research areas that lend themselves to exploitation and transfer to industry, Bill has access to a network of established strong links with business and industry sectors, at regional, national and international level.

Bill is a graduate of Exeter University, where he completed both his first and higher degrees in Physics. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Chartered Physicist. His scholarship has been recognised by many awards from overseas and by honorary degrees from Universities in the UK and from China. Prior to his appointment at Southampton, he spent 30 years at Imperial College, London, where he was appointed Pro-Rector (Research) in 1996, combining this role with the position of Deputy Rector the following year and Pro-Rector (Resources) in 1999.

In addition to being a member of the SEEDA Board, he is also Chair of UCEA Board, on the EPSRC Council and Chair of its Resource Audit Committee. Professor Wakeham has recently been asked, by the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills to chair a Review of Physics in the UK