Sir David Eastwood

Chair

Professor Sir David Eastwood took up his post as UK chair from September 2023. His notable career in higher education has included over twelve years as Vice Chancellor at the University of Birmingham, a term as Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, and chairing bodies as diverse as the Universities Superannuation Scheme, The Russell Group, Universitas 21, and the University and Colleges Admissions Service. He was knighted in 2014 for services to education and appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2012, carving a place for himself as one of Birmingham’s adopted sons. With an academic specialism in 18th-19th Century history, and an academic career that saw him as Fellow and Senior Tutor at Pembroke College, Oxford, he’s well placed to understand the Commission’s unique role and value in maintaining the ‘special relationship’ between our two countries.