Former BBC executive and ex-UEA student Dame Jenny Abramsky has been chosen as the university’s new Chancellor. She had previously been made an honorary graduate of the university in 2003 and is UEA’s eighth Chancellor, succeeding Dame Karen Jones in the role which has also previously been held by author Dame Rose Tremain and historian Owen Chadwick. The Chancellor acts as UEA’s figurehead, chairing the annual general meeting and conferring degrees at graduation ceremonies.

Dame Abramsky graduated from UEA with a BA in English in 1968, joining the BBC as a programmes operations assistant in the following year. She worked her way up through the corporation, becoming a producer of The World at One and the first female editor of Today, whilst in the late 1990s she became something of a trailblazer in the organization, launching Radio 5 Live, BBC News 24 (now the News Channel) and the BBC News website, all in the space of four years.

In 1999, she became the Director of BBC Radio, a role in which she oversaw the launch of 1Xtra and 6 Music, before moving to be Director of Audio and Music in 2006. When she left the BBC in 2008, she was on its executive board and the most senior female employee. She has since held a number of senior cultural roles, including Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund and of the Trustees of the Royal Academy of Music.

On accepting the role, Dame Abramsky said, “It is a real honour to take on the role of Chancellor at UEA. I have a great many fond memories from my time as a student at the University, and have kept a close eye on its progress ever since, so to be able to return in this capacity is a source of huge personal pride.

“I am already looking forward to my time on campus meeting staff and students, promoting the University’s work in the wonderful city of Norwich and wider region and, of course, being able to celebrate with our graduates when they collect their degrees in July.”

The Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire said: “I couldn’t be more delighted to have Jenny joining UEA as Chancellor. I’m certain that her achievements, as well as the application and dedication she’s applied to her craft throughout her career, will serve as inspiration to our students and staff when she joins our graduation ceremonies in the summer.”

Image: Concrete/Innes Henry