University Bids a Warm Farewell to Long-standing Chancellor
20 July 2023
Written by: Hannah McGowan
The long-standing Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, received thanks for his 15 years of service to the University and was bid a warm farewell by colleagues and esteemed associates during a dedicated evening ceremony.
The long-standing Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, Lord Victor Adebowale CBE, received thanks for his 15 years of service to the University and was bid a warm farewell by colleagues and esteemed associates during a dedicated evening ceremony held on Wednesday 19 July at the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Campus.
Last year, Lord Victor announced his intention to step down from his long-standing role as University Chancellor. He was installed as the second Chancellor of the University of Lincoln in 2008.
He was awarded his CBE in 2000 for services to the New Deal, the unemployed, and homeless young people. A year later he became one of the first ‘People’s Peers’ when he was appointed a cross bench member of the House of Lords.
In 2020, he was appointed chair of the NHS Confederation, the membership body for NHS organisations. Lord Victor is the co-founder and chair of Visionable and prior to this, he was Chief Executive of Turning Point, the health and social care organisation, for almost 20 years.
Lord Victor will remain engaged with the University, primarily through his role as a Visiting Professor.
Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “We have been truly privileged to have had Victor, the Lord Adebowale, as our Chancellor for the last 15 years. He has seen the University double in size and significantly increase its impact on Lincoln, Lincolnshire and beyond.
“He has left an enormous impression on us as a University and all those who have been fortunate enough to meet him.”
David Chiddick CBE, Vice Chancellor Emeritus at the University spoke about Lord Adebowale’s popularity and said: “I was delighted that Lord Victor agreed to become Chancellor in the formative years of the University of Lincoln. Through Centrepoint, Turning Point and other life-changing bodies, he demonstrated a set of values and ethics, which spoke directly to the aspirations of the University of Lincoln and the role of a Chancellor.
“His light shone at the ceremonies with the essential gravitas and integrity, mixed in with a touch of humour. The students and staff loved him.”
The Rt. Hon Prof the Lord Ajay Kakkar KBE PC, the distinguished surgeon, scientist and crossbench member of the House of Lords, will be installed as the next Chancellor of the University of Lincoln during the University’s September graduation ceremonies taking place at Lincoln Cathedral.