University of Liverpool Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Jones has been appointed to lead the N8 Research Partnership, taking over from Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, who has served as Chair for the past three years.
Professor Jones has been a member of the N8 Board of Directors since his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool in early 2023. In his new role as Chair, he will guide the Board’s strategic direction and build upon the N8 Research Partnership’s strong record of delivery since its establishment in 2006.
The Board comprises eight Vice-Chancellors representing the most research-intensive universities in the North of England: Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.
Professor Jones will leverage his extensive experience in higher education leadership to foster collaboration among member institutions and ensure that N8 continues to advocate for the North, whilst helping to ensure that the critical mass of research expertise found across the N8 supports research, innovation, and economic growth across the region.
Before becoming Vice-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool, Professor Jones was Provost and Vice-Principal at the University of Birmingham between 2016 – 2023; he has also held several senior leadership positions at the University of Warwick, including Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Business Engagement and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science, Engineering and Medicine.
Professor Jones is Chair of the Liverpool Health Partners Board, a member of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Business and Enterprise Board, the LCR Innovation Zone Programme Board, the Liverpool-Manchester Partnership Board, the Liverpool Knowledge Quarter Board, and the Sciontec Board. He is a Director of the Russell Group and member of the Universities UK (UUK) Board, as well as being UUK Policy Lead for International.
Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of York and outgoing chair comments:
“It has been a privilege to chair the N8 Research Partnership over the past three years; I firmly believe that collaboration between our eight leading universities makes us greater than the sum of our parts. I’m especially proud of the relationships we’ve fostered with our regional, national and international partners, and take immense pride in what we’ve achieved with our research initiatives and our work to improve research culture and scholarly practice.
I’m delighted that Professor Tim Jones has been appointed as the new chair, and as a continuing member of the Board, I look forward to supporting him to take our legacy forward.”
On his appointment, Professor Jones comments:
“I’m delighted to take on this appointment at such a pivotal time and want to thank Charlie for his excellent stewardship over the past three years. The N8 Research Partnership is a unique alliance underpinned by world-class research and education.”
Collaboration across our institutions isn’t just important, it’s essential – not only in advocating for the North of England, but in order to address the big social and economic challenges of today. I look forward to working closely with my fellow Vice-Chancellors and our trusted networks to ensure that the N8’s vision of shared ambition and collective action is realised.”
Professor Jones also expressed his thanks to Dr Annette Bramley, who stepped down as Director of the N8 this summer, after more than seven years:
“Annette has made a significant and lasting contribution to the N8, providing strategic leadership across a wide range of complex initiatives and helping to shape the research agenda both regionally and nationally. She has been a leading voice in advancing research culture across the UK and internationally, playing a key role in influencing thinking, policy, and practice in this critical area. Her commitment, resilience, and advocacy for the North’s research strengths have been widely recognised and appreciated.”
A process to appoint a new Director will begin in the coming weeks.