Peter Mathieson has announced that he decided earlier this year that he will not seek a third term as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.
By 2028 he will have completed 10 years in the role.
Speaking at a meeting of University Court – the institution’s governing body – Mathieson pledged to remain fully engaged in his work as Principal until the last day of his tenure, which is expected to be in early 2028.
“In a personal speech, he reflected on the challenges the University has navigated, as well as the many significant successes and improvements made since he joined in February 2018,” said the university.
“Massive and sustained investment in teaching and student wellbeing were among the achievements noted as a source of pride, alongside ongoing success in research and innovation, securing the UK’s next national supercomputer in Edinburgh, an unwavering commitment to social mobility, and major personal contributions to breaking all previous records for philanthropic fundraising during his term.”
Around 3,000 staff members at the University of Edinburgh recently launched five weeks of industrial action over £140 million in spending cuts and compulsory redundancies.
Members of the University and College Union are scheduled to strike until 30 October, causing disruption at the start of the academic term. The union claims up to 1,800 posts could be eliminated alongside the planned scrapping of 90 academic programmes.
Before joining the University of Edinburgh, Mathieson was President of the University of Hong Kong, having previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Bristol.
In the recent Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, the University of Edinburgh was ranked number 1 in Scotland and number 29 in the world.
Mathieson said: “It has been my immense privilege to lead two of the world’s great universities. Every decision that I have made, and those of the executive teams I have led, have always kept the University’s best interests uppermost. We have always acted in good faith, believing we were doing the right things, which are very rarely the easiest things.”
Throughout his time at Edinburgh, Mathieson has been outspoken about the funding challenges facing higher education.
He said: “I am keenly aware that higher education is at a pivotal moment. At Edinburgh, we are making the tough decisions necessary to restore our University to financial sustainability and resilience for the years ahead.
“There will be plenty of time for me to thank colleagues and reflect on my time here in due course. For now, I am fully focussed on our task at hand, giving it my full attention until the last day of my tenure in around 16 months’ time.”
The University of Edinburgh will now set out plans for a recruitment campaign to appoint a successor, which will be led by Senior Lay Member of the University Court, Frank Armstrong.
In a message to alumni and supporters, Mathieson said: “I have greatly enjoyed my interactions with alumni locally and globally throughout my tenure so far, and I look forward to seeing many of you again in the next year and beyond. The constructive conversations we have had on a wide range of issues have always proved helpful, and I have always appreciated the varied viewpoints, which have informed our thinking.
“Your mentoring, advisory and financial support for our work means a great deal to the University and to me personally. The generosity of our many donors has led to record levels of philanthropy for our charitable mission over the last decade. Our students and researchers will be forever grateful for that, as am I.”