Chancellor and Pro-Chancellor

Baroness Martha Lane FoxChancellor: Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho

Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho was installed as the sixth Chancellor of The Open University at the Milton Keynes degree ceremony on 10th September 2014, succeeding Lord Puttnam who stepped down after seven years in the role.

Martha Lane Fox has built her career around the digital world, making her mark as one of the founders of the internationally recognised leisure and travel website, LastMinute.com.

From 2009 she served as the government’s UK Digital Champion, leading a drive to get more people and services engaged with the online world and in 2012 she launched a charity – Go ON UK – which aims to plug the digital skills gap among British adults. Following Martha’s Dimbleby Lecture in 2015, she founded and today runs the independent think tank Doteveryone.

Martha spoke of her passion for technology and learning during her inaugural speech: “I have tried my whole life to put technology at the heart of what I do – and open it up to as many people as possible. With lastminute.com we were battling to make people believe that the internet was going to exist - we fought to encourage people the internet was here to stay.

It set me on a journey which I carry on to this minute – trying to encourage people that technology can help them in their daily lives. I’ve seen again and again, the incredible impact that technology can have. That is why this university is so special – right at the heart of it is the idea that technology can help open up the world’s learning; to create a level playing field.

In addition to her work with the government, Martha is a non-executive board member of television company Channel 4 and retailer Marks & Spencer, as well as a patron for human rights charity Reprieve.

In 2013, recognising her contribution to charity and furthering technology Martha was awarded a CBE and become a life peer, making her the youngest woman ever to sit in the House of Lords (now she is the second youngest!).

Focussing on the achievements of other ground-breaking women at the OU she cited Jennie Lee as a heroine, quoting the OU founder: “Oh pioneers, here is a great independent university, which does not insult any man or any woman from any background, by offering them second best. Nothing but the best is good enough; you’re the best, go out and do even better.”

Previous Chancellors of The Open University, with dates of office

 

Sir David Normington Pro-Chancellor: Sir David Normington 

The primary role of the Pro-Chancellor is Chair of the OU's Council. The Pro-Chancellor is a member of the University's Finance, Governance and Nominations, Remuneration, and Strategic Planning and Resources Committees. Our current Pro-Chancellor, who took up the role on 1 August 2026, is Sir David Normington.

Sir David enjoyed a distinguished 37-year career in the Civil Service, including roles as Permanent Secretary at the Department for Education and Skills and the Home Office. Following his retirement, he served as First Civil Service Commissioner and Commissioner for Public Appointments. Awarded a KCB in 2005 and a GCB in 2011, Sir David holds an M.A. (Oxon) in Modern History and is a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Previously, he served as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Warwick University. He is currently Chair of Birmingham Royal Ballet, a Governor of The Royal Ballet, and a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral. 

In commenting on how proud he is to be a part of The Open University in his role as Pro-Chancellor, he said:

I am honoured and excited to have been appointed Pro Chancellor and Chair of Council. I have admired the OU over more than five decades as it has transformed lives through education and played a unique role in widening access to learning. Much of my working life has been spent trying to widen opportunities in employment, education and training. So, I feel a powerful alignment with the University’s mission and look forward to working with the Council, Vice Chancellor, staff, students and partners to ensure that it continues to transform lives and goes from strength to strength in both its education and research..

Previous Pro-Chancellors of The Open University, with dates of office