The University’s new Chief Operating Officer will be Keith Zimmerman, who will join the University on April 6, following a competitive recruitment process.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) position is a new role at the University, as part of the Executive Board. The COO will have a central role in the development and implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan and is responsible for key corporate functions across Estates, Human Resources, Digital, Sports, Arts, Legal and Commercial Services.

Mr Zimmerman joins the University from academic and scientific recruiters Perrett Laver, where he was Managing Partner and Head of Research Leadership. He has previously served as Group Chief Operating Officer at the Open University, Director of Student Administration and Services at the University of Oxford and Academic Registrar at the University of Exeter, among other senior roles spanning 25 years in Higher Education.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the University. I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm of both students and staff for the future of our University, no more so than in the care being taken to support each other, especially students, in the current unprecedented circumstances.

“The role of universities will become even more important as societies emerge from the current crisis, and I look forward to working with students and colleagues to help the University of Bath make an even bigger impact on our world.”

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Ian White, said: “It gives me great pleasure to be able to welcome Keith Zimmerman to the University’s senior leadership team.

“His wealth of experience in senior HE positions will be of great benefit to the University of Bath as we navigate the coming years. I look forward to working with him greatly.”