Professor Andy Collop has taken up the post of Vice-Chancellor, Principal and CEO at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.
Professor Collop, who formerly held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor of De Montfort University (DMU), takes up the post following the retirement of Russell Marchant over the summer.
Since 2015, he has been Deputy Vice-Chancellor at De Montfort University (DMU) having served as Interim Vice-Chancellor between 2019 and 2021. Professor Collop joined DMU in 2011 as Pro Vice-Chancellor (PVC) and Dean of the Faculty of Technology and served as PVC Research and Innovation.
After completing a PhD in Mechanical/Civil Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Professor Collop was appointed to a lectureship in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham in 1996. He progressed rapidly through the academic ranks to a personal Chair in Civil Engineering in 2004, and in 2006 was awarded a DSc for his research into road and rail track engineering. He has been an investigator on research grants and contracts worth more than £15million and has published more than 180 journal and conference papers. On a personal level, he enjoys equestrian activities including eventing and show jumping. This is particularly fitting, given Hartpury’s strong reputation in the sector and the annual hosting of its international equestrian events.
Hartpury University gained its full University title in 2018 and now ranks 1st in England for Teaching* according to results from the National Student Survey (NSS) 2022 – the largest survey of its kind in the world. The institution also ranks in the UK’s top 20 for teaching quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021). Hartpury College is rated Ofsted Outstanding and the highest achieving land-based college in England.
With the start of a new academic year just days away, Hartpury has ambitious plans to continue to innovate and grow. This is evident in the recent campus developments that have included the unveiling of a new £500,000 equine hydrotherapy centre and a two-storey sustainable catering and conference facility that will include food and drink outlets, additional seating and social areas, and flexible classrooms ideal for teaching and events.
A state-of-the-art University Learning Hub will launch in for the 2023-24 academic year, featuring group-work pods, quiet study zones and contemporary classrooms.
Commenting on taking up the role, Professor Andy Collop said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be leading Hartpury University and Hartpury College during this incredibly exciting phase of its journey.
“Hartpury has rightfully earned an outstanding reputation as one of the UK’s leading specialist providers, endorsed by several prestigious accolades and awards. I look forward to working with the team to provide the highest quality education in an environment based around performance, people, and passion.”
Edward Keene, Chair of the Board of Governors at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, commented: “I’m delighted to formally welcome Professor Collop to his position on behalf of the Board of Governors.
“His wealth of experience and understanding of Hartpury’s values and mission will be invaluable to drive our ambitious plans at this exciting period of development, building on the enormous progress that has been made in recent years. We look forward to working closely with him in the months and years to come.”
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* Hartpury has been named as the number one English Mainstream University in the ‘Teaching on my Course’ category, NSS 2022
