We are pleased to announce Stewart Ross as our new Chief Operating Officer.
Stewart joins us from the University of Leeds and brings over 30 years of senior management experience in the higher education sector. In his current role of Deputy Chief Operating Officer (Operations, Change & Innovation) he is accountable for the delivery of an operating model for professional services, aligned to academic priorities.
Stewart will take up his new role on 1 August 2025. He will be a member of our University Executive Committee and will be responsible for making sure that the physical and digital infrastructure is in place to support the delivery of our University Strategy.
He will work collaboratively with colleagues across the university to ensure sustainability, continuous improvement and effectiveness within our professional services.
Professor Karen O’Brien, our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, said: “At this time of increasing complexity and significant financial challenges across the higher education sector, this key role will help us to ensure that we are delivering excellence across our academic mission and that we are embracing the opportunities and challenges presented to us. Stewart’s impressive track record in the development of estate and digital plans, as well as in the management and delivery of service effectiveness change, will be critical to achieving our ambitions.”
Stewart Ross said: “I am delighted to be joining Durham University as its new Chief Operating Officer. It is a great privilege to be joining a University with such enormous strengths in the quality of its education, research, and the wider student experience. The opportunity to contribute to our academic mission and its commitment to excellence through this new portfolio is very exciting. With so much to be proud of at Durham, I am much looking forward to working in partnership with academic and professional services colleagues to deliver a sustainable future.”
Meet our Senior Leadership Team Discover more about our University Strategy ambitions
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