Mark Russell Anderson is the new Chair designate of London Met’s Board of Governors, following an extensive recruitment process.
Date: 6 July 2016
London Metropolitan University has appointed a new Chair designate of the Board of Governors.
At its meeting on 30 June 2016, the University’s Board of Governors approved the appointment of Mark Russell Anderson as the new Chair designate of the Board, following an extensive recruitment process. Mark will succeed the current Chair, Clive Jones CBE, in Autumn 2016.
A graduate of the University of Cambridge and Ashridge Business School, Mark’s executive career spans over 30 years’ experience in the publishing and multimedia sectors, primarily with Pearson PLC and its subsidiaries. Prior to leaving Pearson in 2016, he led Pearson's UK business, including its Edexcel and BTEC qualifications brands, its university partnerships and Pearson College. He was previously responsible for Pearson’s international schools and higher education business units, as well as international strategy and business development.
After joining Longman (a Pearson subsidiary) as Editor in 1984, Mark became Managing Director of Longman Training UK in 1990, responsible for managing Longman’s stand-alone multimedia management training subsidiary. From 1993 to 1997 he was Development Director, Longman Asia Pacific, leading the development of Longman’s Asia-Pacific Business Strategy, and then Managing Director, Asia Pacific of Pearson Professional Ltd, responsible for Pearson’s multimedia information business throughout Asia and Australia.
After executive positions with KKR / Spalding & Evenflo (a provider of children’s consumer goods), Morris Communications and Patientline PLC (a provider of multimedia services to the NHS), Mark returned to Pearson in 2007 as Development Director of Pearson Assessments and Testing, later serving as President, Pearson Language Tests (2008-2010); President, Pearson Strategy and Business Development (2010-2011); Interim President, Pearson Europe (2011-2012); President, Schools and Higher Education and Strategy & Business Development (2012-2013); Managing Director, Pearson UK (2014-2016); and Senior Vice-President, Global Growth (2016).
He is a former governor of De Montfort University and a non-executive director of Hubbub, which supports universities and non-profit organisations with crowdfunding solutions. He is the author of The Leadership Book (2010), which examines 10 key challenges that leaders face.
Speaking of his appointment, Mark said: “This is an exciting time to be joining London Met’s Board of Governors. Under Clive Jones’ chairmanship, the Board has launched One Campus, One Community to transform the campus at Holloway and ensure that the University will continue to deliver its mission of transforming students’ lives. In the uncertain and difficult times that we face, London Met’s commitment to widening access to university education means that it has an important role to play.
“My priority as Chair will be to work with the Board, Vice-Chancellor John Raftery and the University’s students and staff to take forward One Campus, One Community in building a new and better London Met.”
The meeting of the Board of Governors on 30 June also appointed two new Independent Governors, whose terms will commence on 1 August 2016:
Harini Iyengar is a barrister and leading specialist in the law of employment, discrimination and equality, education, partnership, data protection and procurement. A graduate of Brasenose College, University of Oxford, she was called to the Bar in 1999 and practises at 11KBW chambers. A Hackney resident, she is an external trustee of the Oxford University Students’ Union.
Shaun Williams started his career in journalism before moving to the BBC and ITV as a series director and producer. From 1995 to 2001 he was Deputy Chief Executive and then Chief Executive of the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television, a trade association. His other roles have included Director of Corporate Affairs for Carlton Communications PLC (2001-2002); Director of Corporate Affairs for Guardian News and Media (2002-2008); and Director of Corporate Affairs, Leonard Cheshire Disability (2011-2014). A graduate of the University of Kent, Shaun is a non-executive director of NHS Blood and Transplant and chairs its remuneration committee.
