The Chancellor
Stephen Wordsworth CMG LVO
The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Background
Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Council for At Risk Academics (Cara) in 2012, Stephen had a notable career in diplomacy. First joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1977, Stephen went on to serve in Moscow, Nigeria, Germany and at NATO, before becoming UK Ambassador to Serbia.
In 1992, Stephen was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victoria Order (LVO) by Her Majesty the Queen, for his part in the organisation of the Queen’s first State Visit to the reunited Germany during the same year. Then, in 2011, Stephen was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael & St George (CMG).
After leaving the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Stephen joined Cara. Cara was founded in 1933 in response to the Nazis’ decision to expel, on racial grounds, leading academics from Germany. Now, the charity, with the support of UK university partners and others, provides sanctuary for academics and their families fleeing persecution and violence in countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. You can read about Cardiff Met’s relationship with Cara on our
news pages.
Stephen has also held various voluntary positions, such as Vice-Chair of New York-based Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack, and Trusteeships of the British and Foreign School Society and the Slynn Foundation.
Stephen’s distinguished global career and Welsh roots (having been born in Port Talbot) make him an outstanding addition to, and representative of, Cardiff Metropolitan University. With Cardiff Met’s values, goals, and cultural relations with our extensive international network, Stephen is well-aligned to be our University Chancellor.
Pro-Chancellor and Honorary President
On 1 April 1996 the Board of Governors resolved to appoint a President of the University and to invite the Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff ex officio to be the incumbent of that office. On 7 July 2015, having resolved to establish the position of Chancellor of the University, the Board of Governors further resolved to appoint the
Lord Mayor of the City and County of Cardiff ex officio as Pro-Chancellor and Honorary President.
The current Pro-Chancellor and Honorary President for the year 2020/21 is Councillor Rod McKerlich. As Lord Mayor, Councillor McKelrich is the First Citizen of Cardiff and lead ambassador for the City’s civic functions.
