Professor Jane Harrington

Professor Jane Harrington has been Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of the University of Greenwich since December 2019. She leads with a strong commitment to education without boundaries, widening opportunity and achieving real-world impact.

With more than 35 years’ experience in higher education, Professor Harrington is known for inclusive, values-led leadership focused on student success, social mobility and civic responsibility. Her leadership has helped position Greenwich at the heart of the first-of-its-kind LASE University Group, where she became inaugural Vice-Chancellor and CEO when the Group was established on 1 August 2026.

Career background

Before joining the University of Greenwich, Professor Harrington was Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at UWE Bristol, with responsibility for academic faculties, research, business engagement and student facing professional services. She has also held senior leadership roles including Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law.

Her career includes international work in India and the Canary Islands and engagement with the United Nations University of Peace, bringing a global perspective to partnership focused education.

Professor Harrington is an alumna of Bristol Business School. Her academic expertise is in organisational studies and human resource management, with particular interests in inclusive leadership, gender and work, and teaching excellence.

External roles and sector leadership

Professor Harrington contributes to the wider education and public sectors through a number of external appointments, including:

• Chair, University Alliance
• Board member, Universities UK (UUK)
• Policy Lead (Student Experience, Education and Skills) UUK
• Board member, Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA)
• Member, Department for Education Higher Education Access and Participation Task and Finish Group
• Board member, Kent and Medway Enterprise Partnership
• Associate Board member, Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.