Ann Greenwood

Vice-Chancellor,

There are many influential individuals that have supported Loughborough University over the years, taking it from a small technical institution to one of the top higher education providers in the UK.

Today, I am proud to present one of those individuals to you and give recognition to the impact she has made whilst supporting our institution.

Ann Greenwood has been a dedicated supporter of Loughborough University and its Council, serving as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Audit Committee.

She was also a member of the Chair's Advisory Group, and prior to taking up the role of Audit chair, Ann was chair of the University's Ethics Committee.

Over the nine years that Ann worked with the University, she was a great support to many and someone that others felt comfortable sounding out ideas.

Her focus was always on supporting the success of the University, and her work included involvement in the wider management of the University, participating in recruitment panels, and hearing appeals on HR matters. She dedicated much time to Council and Audit Committee matters despite an often-challenging work and travel schedule.

Ann was also an important and early advocate of the University’s women’s network, Maia. When it was established in May 2020, she helped to ensure that the network and its aims had visibility at senior levels within the institution. She was also involved in the network’s launch event, which featured a panel of our women Lay Members of Council and the Chair of Council. Ann generously shared her reflections and lessons learned from her long and distinguished career, and colleagues really appreciated her candour in offering words of wisdom when it comes to finding fulfilment and satisfaction in their own careers.

Higher education has clearly always been an important sector to Ann, as for 12 years prior to joining Council here at Loughborough, she served as a lay member of council at the University of Nottingham, her alma matter, as well as a trustee of their students’ union.

Looking at her own journey through education and career, Ann graduated with a BSc in Chemistry and Biochemistry, before going on to train and qualify as a chartered accountant.

Ann then worked as a group financial accountant for Great Universal Stores Group, the leading mail-order company in the UK, before setting up her own chartered accountancy practice.

In 1988, she became Finance Director of Campbell Scientific Ltd, the European Headquarters of a US-owned electronics group that manufactures robust scientific instrumentation used for measuring and monitoring weather, water, energy, infrastructure, gas turbulence and flux. Ann was also a director of the company’s French and Spanish subsidiaries.

After over 30 years, Ann retired from her position at Campbell Scientific in 2019, and we were privileged to have her input and influence at the University up until last year.

Ann's support to public interest bodies has extended beyond higher education over the years to include additional positions with differing organisations, such as six years as a lay member and chair of audit for NHS Rushcliffe Clinical Commissioning Group.

Vice-Chancellor, it is my honour to present to you and the whole University, Ann Greenwood, for the degree of Doctor of the University, honoris causa.