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Steve West (podiatrist)

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Sir
Steve West
CBE DL FRSA FRSM
3rd Chairman of the University Alliance
In office
2012–2016
Preceded byJanet Beer
Succeeded byJohn Latham
Vice-chancellor of the University of the West of England
Assumed office
January 2008
Preceded bySir Howard Newby
Personal details
Born
Steven George West

March 1961 (age 63)
London, England
Alma materUniversity of Westminster

Sir Steven George West CBE DL FRSM FRSA (born March 1961[1]) is a British podiatrist, the vice-chancellor, president and chief executive officer of the University of the West of England[2] since 2008. He holds a number of national and international advisory appointments in higher education, healthcare policy and regional government.

Career

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West trained as a podiatrist and podiatric surgeon in London, working in the NHS and private/commercial sector from 1982. He entered academia in 1984 as a lecturer, then senior lecturer, at The Chelsea School of Chiropody and Podiatric Medicine, The London Foot Hospital and Westminster University. He developed his research interests at King’s College London in the Department of Bioengineering. In 1990 he took up a post as Associate Dean and Head of the Department of Podiatry at Huddersfield University, and became Dean of the School of Health and Behavioural Sciences in 1992.[3][4]

In 1995 he joined the University of the West of England as Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care and Professor of Health and Social Care. In this post he merged three Colleges of Health into a new faculty, establishing one of the largest faculties of Health and Social Care in the UK.[3][4]

In 2005, Professor West became Pro Vice-Chancellor at the university, with the planning and resources portfolio. Then in 2006 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor and was later appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in August 2007.[3][4] In May 2008 he took up post as Vice-Chancellor, at the age of 46.[2]

In 2018 West was criticised for claiming over £43,000 in expenses for items like chauffeur-driven car trips to London in an 18 month period.[5]

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Fellow of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine of the Royal College of Podiatry (FRCPodM) and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.[citation needed]

Other roles

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In June 2013, West was appointed as the first chair of the West of England Academic Health Science Network.[6] The network is one of 15 across the country that promote innovation in the National Health Service, bringing together bodies including health commissioners and providers, universities, and industry.

Professor West is chair of the UK Mental Health in Higher Education Advisory Group[7] and a non-executive director of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board.[8] He is currently the president of Universities UK, 2021–2023.[9]

From 2017 to 2021, West was chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership,[10] and consequently a non-voting member of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).[11][12]

West's other previous external commitments include non-executive director for the Office for Students,[13] chair of University Alliance,[14] president of Bristol chamber of commerce, chair of the West of England Initiative, and president of the South West CBI.[15] He also served as President for the Anchor Society,[16] a charity for the care of older people in the Bristol area, in 2018.

Personal life

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West's leisure-time interests include scuba diving.[17]

West has been a member of The Society of Merchant Venturers since 2014.[18]

Honours

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West was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to higher education[19] and was made a deputy lieutenant of Gloucestershire in 2012.[20]

He received honorary degrees from the University of Bristol (Doctor of Laws, 2014)[21] and Taylor’s University, Malaysia (2016, Doctor of Education).[citation needed]

He was knighted in the 2023 Birthday Honours for services to health and education.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Steven George WEST". Companies House. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Vice-Chancellor – Structure and governance". www.uwe.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Profile of Professor Steve West CBE, Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer – Vice-Chancellor". www.uwe.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "West, Prof. Steven George, (born 27 March 1961), DL; Professor, since 1995, and Vice-Chancellor, President and Chief Executive Officer, since 2008, University of the West of England, Bristol". WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u249566. ISBN 978-0-19-954088-4. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  5. ^ https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-uwe-chiefs-43000-expenses-1260782.amp
  6. ^ "Steve West". West of England Academic Health Science Network. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  7. ^ "New guidance on mental health and wellbeing – supporting staff and students more important now than ever". www.universitiesuk.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  8. ^ "BNSSG ICB - Our Integrated Care Board - Chair and Non-Executive Members". 28 June 2022.
  9. ^ "Professor Steve West CBE, DL elected as next UUK President". Universities UK. 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  10. ^ "LEP Board: Professor Steve West (Chair)". West of England Combined Authority. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021 – via Internet Archive.
  11. ^ "West of England Metro Mayor is sworn in". ITV News. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  12. ^ Postans, Adam (12 November 2021). "Mediator appointed in bid to break deadlock between regional leaders". Bath Echo. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Our board and committees". Office for Students. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  14. ^ "Professor Steven West". University Alliance. Archived from the original on 14 February 2013.
  15. ^ Farrell, Stephen (25 April 2017). "UWE vice chancellor to head up LEP". Insider. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Anchor Society, Collections from Former Presidents".
  17. ^ "West leads West of England University". Higher Education and Research Opportunities. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  18. ^ "Our Members". The Society of Merchant Venturers. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  19. ^ "No. 61803". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2016. p. N10.
  20. ^ "Profile of Professor Steve West". University of the West of England. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Professor Steven West". University of Bristol. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  22. ^ "No. 64082". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2023. p. B2.
[edit]
Academic offices
Preceded by Vice Chancellor of the University of the West of England
2008–present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Chairman of the University Alliance
2012–2016 		Succeeded by
John Latham
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