Vice-Chancellor stepping down

Professor Frances Frances Corner OBE is stepping down as Vice-Chancellor of Goldsmiths, University of London.

Professor Corner's term leading the University finishes at the end of academic year 2025/26, having joined Goldsmiths in August 2019.

Professor Corner is the first woman to lead Goldsmiths, first as Warden and then Vice-Chancellor as Goldsmiths gained University status after being granted a supplemental Charter in January 2025.

The announcement was made on Tuesday 16 September in an email to all staff. Professor Corner said in the message: "Goldsmiths is a truly special place, and it has been a privilege and huge source of personal pride to have served as its first female Warden and then Vice-Chancellor.

"I am thankful for the important projects I've been part of alongside talented and dedicated colleagues - from the establishment of the Migrant Futures Institute and our endowment, to the Equity Awards and Civic University Agreement, as well our ongoing commitment to the arts, humanities and social sciences at a time when these vital subjects remain under threat and undervalued by many."

The announcement comes as Goldsmiths prepares to celebrate 120 years since it opened its doors to higher education students in autumn 1905.

Goldsmiths' Council, the University's governing body, has begun the process to appoint Professor Corner's successor. As with previous senior recruitment, there will be engagement with the Goldsmiths student and staff unions and the broader student and staff communities.

Chair of Goldsmiths' Council Tom Sleigh said: "Our thanks go to Professor Corner who has shown bold leadership during difficult times for universities - from the pandemic to the ongoing financial challenges facing our sector - while always making the case for creative and critical education.

"It's fitting that over the next year we will be celebrating the heritage and achievements of our unique university and continuing to build for our next chapter, as we look for an individual with passion, leadership and empathy to take Goldsmiths forward."