Bournemouth University is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Valerie Pitt-Rivers as Pro-Chancellor for the University.

Mrs Pitt-Rivers is the former Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset, a post she held from 2006 until her retirement in 2014. Prior to this she was the Vice-Chairman of the West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust; the culmination of a long and distinguished career with Dorset NHS.

Valerie is also the founder of the Arts in Hospital project for Dorset County Hospital. She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2014 New Year’s Honours List for her services to The Queen.

Mrs Pitt-Rivers succeeds Dame Yvonne Moores DBE, who stepped down from the role of Pro-Chancellor at the end of 2013 after eight years of service to the University.

BU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney said, “I am delighted to welcome Valerie to the BU community. She has been a strong supporter and friend of the University for a number of years and I am very glad that she has agreed to join us in a more formal capacity.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Dame Yvonne for the fantastic contribution she has made to BU over the last eight years. She gave a huge amount of time and support to the University, and inspired a whole generation of students through her wisdom and guidance.”

Mrs Pitt-Rivers added, “I am very pleased to be accepting the role as BU’s Pro-Chancellor, and will enjoy continuing the excellent relationship that developed between us during my time as Lord-Lieutenant.

“The University is going from strength to strength, and I am looking forward to being part of its future”.