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University of Strathclyde Principal announces retirement

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal & Vice-Chancellor, University of Strathclyde

Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE has announced he is to retire as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde in August 2025, after 16 years in the post.

Sir Jim took up the role of Principal in 2009 and has led Strathclyde through a period of significant and sustained growth, enhanced its national and international reputation and positioned the institution for continued, long-term success.  

Sir Jim said: “The University of Strathclyde has been at the heart of my professional life, and it will have been a huge privilege to have led the institution for over 16 fantastic years by the time I step down.

“The greatest pleasure has been to work with so many wonderful people and, as well as being valued colleagues, many have become dear friends; they are all true Strathclyders.  

I will always maintain my deep and lasting commitment to this great university, reflecting my time here as a member of staff for more than 40 years.

“I am choosing to step down in 2025 as my family and I feel that I have served and led the University for what is now a significant period.

“During my time as Principal, I have benefitted from having tremendous colleagues from every part of our University, outstanding executive team members to work with and a strong and supportive Court currently led by Dame Sue Bruce. I have also had the privilege to serve alongside two excellent Chancellors in Lord Hope and Lord Smith.”

Sir Jim will be the joint-longest serving of Strathclyde’s five principals, being in post for the same duration as Professor Sir Sam Curran.

Distinctive strategy

Under Sir Jim’s tenure, the University has repositioned itself as a Leading International Technological University that is Socially Progressive – underpinned by a successful and distinctive strategy.

Over this period Strathclyde has increased its research income by more than 350% to £125M and its total income by more than 120% to £487M, delivered a £1 billion campus development, helped establish two Innovation Districts in the Glasgow City Innovation District – Scotland’s first – and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland, and maintained entry standards in the top five in the UK whilst opening the University to more widening access students than any other research-intensive university.

Strathclyde’s success has been recognised with a multitude of awards, including still being the only institution to be named Times Higher UK University of the Year twice and receiving three consecutive Queen’s Anniversary Prizes.

Dame Sue Bruce, Convener of the University Court said: “This is a significant moment for Strathclyde and the Scottish university sector.

Jim’s combination of relentless energy and clear-eyed vision have proved to be little short of revolutionary for the academic strength of Strathclyde and he has hugely bolstered our reputation in Scotland, the UK and internationally.

“The University is in a far, far stronger position now than it was when Jim took office, and the University community owes him a significant debt of gratitude for all that he has done. We have been very fortunate to have one of the very best Principal and Vice-Chancellors in the sector and the entire Strathclyde family wishes him well in retirement.”

Three-time graduate

A three-time graduate of Strathclyde, having taken his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in the areas of electronic and electrical engineering, electrical power engineering and energy economics, Sir Jim worked in the electricity utility sector for seven years before returning to Strathclyde in 1984 as a University Grants Commission New Blood Lecturer in Electrical Engineering.

He was appointed to the Rolls-Royce Chair in Electrical Power Systems in 1993, was Head of Department in Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Deputy Principal for Research and Knowledge Exchange before he became Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Strathclyde in March 2009.

Sir Jim was knighted in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours List in June 2012 for Services to Education, Engineering and the Economy and was elected President of the Royal Academy of Engineering in October 2019, becoming the first Scot to hold the post.

He was appointed a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s 2024 New Year’s Honours list. The award is for his Services to Engineering, to Education and to Energy.