Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge, appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University

Julia King, The Baroness Brown of Cambridge DBE FREng FRS FMedSci, has been appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University. Baroness Brown will assume the role of Chancellor from 1 August, taking over from Dame Deidre Hutton.

Formerly Vice-Chancellor of Aston University and Chair of the Henry Royce Institute, Baroness Brown is an engineer recognised for her extensive research into structural materials and her leadership contribution to a diverse range of organisations, including the UK Committee on Climate Change, the Carbon Trust and Innovate UK.

Baroness Brown is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society and an Honorary Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences. She was awarded a CBE for services to materials engineering and a DBE for services to education and technology. In 2015 she was elevated to the House of Lords as a Crossbench Peer.

Baroness Brown said: "I am delighted to be appointed Chancellor of Cranfield University. Your specialist focus on applied research and innovative education in science, technology, engineering, and management delivers groundbreaking and outstanding global impacts.

"I am excited to join your community and meet Cranfield's staff, students and alumni over the coming months."

Iain Ferguson CBE, Pro-Chancellor of Cranfield University and Chair of Council, the University's governing body, said: "On behalf of everybody at Cranfield, I would like to pay tribute to Dame Deidre Hutton. She has been an outstanding friend and a committed advocate for our University over 14 years."

"I am very pleased to welcome Baroness Brown to the role of Chancellor. We are fortunate to have a new Chancellor with a truly exceptional academic and professional background which compliments Cranfield's strengths."