The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, Professor Sarah Greer CBE has announced her retirement, after working for almost 30 years in Higher Education.
Professor Greer, who joined Winchester in January 2022, will leave the University in the summer at the end of this academic year.
Since becoming Vice-Chancellor, Professor Greer has led the University through a challenging time for the higher education sector, ensuring financial sustainability for the future whilst retaining a focus on high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their potential and make meaningful contributions to society.
Under her stewardship the University has earned national recognition for graduate success, producing outstanding professionals in fields such as nursing, teaching, policing, business, and the creative arts. It is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Graduate Employment.
Key to this success was the development of a new strategic plan to deliver transformational education based on the core values of the love of learning; individual and shared endeavour; and making a difference.
In June 2025, Professor Greer was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for service to higher education. A National Teaching Fellow, she has held a number of public appointments relating to higher education, including most recently as a General Commissioner of the Disabled Students Commission.
In a retirement statement to colleagues Professor Greer said: “It has been a privilege to lead and serve a University which does so much good, making a difference through educating outstanding graduates in many different disciplines who go on to make significant contributions to the world, by producing excellent and impactful research and engaging in knowledge exchange and by working closely and productively with our partners to serve the social, cultural and economic needs of our city, region and beyond.
“We are proud to be a warm, welcoming and inclusive university, enabling hard-working students to have the opportunity to succeed in their ambitions, whatever their background. I have attended many graduation ceremonies over the years, and every single one has reminded me of the importance of higher education and its ability to transform the lives of individuals, their families and society as a whole.”
Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, Mary Edwards, paid tribute to Professor Greer: “Sarah has been an outstanding leader for the institution during a time of intense challenge and change within the sector.
“On behalf of the whole Board, I want to acknowledge the transformation Sarah has successfully led during her time as Vice-Chancellor, including returning the institution to financial surplus, reshaping the academic portfolio and its delivery, evolving the professional culture of the institution, and re-establishing the University’s place as an anchor institution in the city and region.
“This transformation has put us in a significantly stronger position as we face the future. The Board and I are very thankful for Sarah’s leadership, tenacity and commitment through this period.”
The University’s Board of Governors are now commencing the process of recruiting the next Vice-Chancellor of the University.
