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Professor Bob Allison

Professor Bob Allison, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), has been appointed as the new Vice-Chancellor at Loughborough University and will take up his post in September 2012.

Professor Michael Farthing, Vice-Chancellor at Sussex, said: "The University owes a tremendous amount to Bob who, in his six years at Sussex, has transformed our approach to the management and planning of research and enterprise.

“His leadership has steered us successfully through the RAE 2008 and placed us in a strong position as we look towards the REF 2014.

“He has fostered new initiatives such as the Sussex research themes (which have given new life to our tradition of interdisciplinary research), the annual research review and associated engagement events that showcase the best of what we do.

“He has worked with the Sussex Innovation Centre and the new Enterprise Development Panel, which has led to new businesses and applications of academic ideas.

“But, above all, as an inspirational colleague working with academics and students across Sussex, Bob has been a driving force for growth and high-quality development of the University.

“While we are sad to lose him, we are of course delighted that his undoubted skills and abilities have been recognised by another leading UK university in the 1994 Group.

"I look forward to working with him as a fellow vice-chancellor, adding to the growing number of leaders of UK universities whom Sussex has fostered in recent years.”

Professor Allison was appointed in September 2006 as one of three new pro-vice-chancellors, alongside Professor Joanne Wright, now Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of South Australia, and Professor Paul Layzell, now Principal at Royal Holloway, University of London. Prior to that, Professor Allison was Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health at the University of Durham.

Professor Allison said: “I very much look forward to joining Loughborough University as the next Vice-Chancellor.

“However, my departure from Sussex will be with sadness. I have greatly enjoyed my six years at the University, have learned a tremendous amount and had the pleasure of working with many excellent colleagues.

“I have been particularly fortunate to work under the leadership of Vice-Chancellor Michael Farthing, who has re-established Sussex as one of the UK’s leading universities.

“It has been a privilege to be part of this endeavour.”

The University will be taking immediate steps to replace Professor Allison within the executive team.