Arts University Plymouth appoints Ri Chakraborty as Chair Designate of the Board of Governors

<p dir="ltr">A structured handover with <strong>Dr Sue Brownlow</strong>, current Chair of the Board of Governors, will take place before Ri succeeds Sue as Chair upon her retirement in 2026. During her tenure, Sue oversaw a period of institutional growth, with national recognition including <strong>University of the Year for South West England</strong> (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024 and 2025), <strong>Top 5 in the UK for student satisfaction</strong> (Complete University Guide 2026) and <strong>Top 10 in the UK for Teaching Excellence</strong> (Daily Mail University Guide 2025 &amp; 2026), providing a strong foundation for the next phase. <strong>Ri’s appointment </strong>strengthens the Board’s capacity to support student success, research and knowledge exchange, and the university’s civic impact across Plymouth and the wider South West.</p> <p>As the specialist arts university in Britain’s Ocean City, Arts University Plymouth now looks to the next chapter. <strong>Under Ri’s leadership as incoming Chair</strong>, the Board will steward this momentum with a focus on excellence in teaching and student experience, growth in research and knowledge exchange, and deepening partnerships across the region.</p>

<p dir="ltr">An executive consultant and non-executive leader with over 30 years’ experience across Higher Education governance and the creative industries, <strong>Ri Chakraborty</strong> brings a distinctive combination of strategic oversight and cultural leadership. She currently chairs <strong>Arts Council England NPOs</strong> including <strong>The Space (Digital Arts)</strong>, is former chair of <strong>Aakash Odedra Dance Company</strong>, and served as an <strong>Ambassador for the Digital Poverty Alliance (2021–2025)</strong>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Recent HE governance roles include <strong>Governor at Norwich University of the Arts (2019–2025)</strong>, where she chaired the <strong>People Committee</strong> and served as <strong>Deputy Chair of Nominations</strong>, including link governor for student experience, leading inclusive governance reforms and student wellbeing pilots. As an executive producer and commissioner, Ri has delivered award-winning international documentaries, drama, animation and immersive projects, alongside assessment and jury roles for <strong>UKRI’s Innovate UK</strong>, <strong>Malta Arts Council and Film Commission</strong>, the <strong>Venice Biennale</strong> and international film festivals. A triple postgraduate with qualifications including <strong>Executive Business</strong>, <strong>Dramatherapy</strong>, and <strong>NCTBJ Broadcast Journalism</strong>, she is also a <strong>Fellow of the RSA (FRSA)</strong>.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Welcoming the appointment, <strong>Dr Sue Brownlow</strong>, current Chair of the Board of Governors, said: “After 10 years on the Board of Governors at Arts University Plymouth, four of them as Chair, I am so pleased to be able to hand over the reins next summer to someone who so clearly shares our vision for specialist arts education. Ri brings real depth of experience in Higher Education and the creative industries, and I'm looking forward to us working together in the coming months as she gets to know Arts University Plymouth, the city and region better in preparation for taking over. We've been on an incredible journey over the last few years and I have great confidence that this upward trajectory will continue under her guidance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This is a pivotal moment for Arts University Plymouth as the university delivers <strong>Creative Education for a Changing World</strong> to 2030, foregrounding sustainability, social justice and solution-focused learning. The curriculum, shaped by practitioners and industry partners, equips students to address global challenges through material expertise, critical thinking and creative action. The Chair plays a vital role in helping the Board steward this mission, supporting the executive to maintain momentum across teaching excellence, research and knowledge exchange, and its civic impact across the South West.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Vice-Chancellor &amp; Chief Executive, said:</strong> “Ri brings a compelling combination of governance expertise, deep understanding of culture and the creative industries, and importantly, values-led leadership. Her insight will strengthen our capacity to deliver our ambitions of advancing teaching excellence, research and knowledge exchange, and our role as a creative catalyst for Plymouth, the region and the UK.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">As Chair Designate, Ri will work closely with the Board and the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive to ensure effective stewardship, support and constructive challenge. The focus will be on:</p><ul><li><p dir="ltr">Championing outstanding student experience and graduate outcomes;</p></li><li><p dir="ltr">Strengthening research and knowledge exchange that benefits the region and the wider creative economy;</p></li><li><p dir="ltr">Sustaining financial resilience and long-term sustainability; and</p></li><li><p dir="ltr">Deepening partnerships with the city’s cultural organisations and employers.</p></li></ul> <p dir="ltr">Ri Chakraborty’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Arts University Plymouth’s Board, reinforcing its commitment to creative education, regional collaboration and the long‑term success of its students.<br /></p>