Profile of Professor Steve West, Vice-Chancellor
Professor West has been Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West of England, Bristol since 2008.
Professor West trained as a Podiatrist and Podiatric Surgeon in London, working in the NHS and private/commercial sector from 1982. He entered academia in 1984 as a lecturer, then senior lecturer, at The Chelsea School of Chiropody and Podiatric Medicine, The London Foot Hospital and Westminster University. He developed his research interests at King’s College London in the Department of Bioengineering and at Roehampton Limb Fitting Centre. In 1990 he took up a post as Associate Dean and Head of the Department of Podiatry at Huddersfield University and later became Dean of the School of Health and Behavioural Sciences in 1992.
In 1995 he joined UWE Bristol as Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Care and Professor of Health and Social Care. In this post he merged three Colleges of Health into a new Faculty, establishing one of the largest Faculties of Health and Social Care in the UK. In this time he also consolidated the delivery of nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, radiography and occupational therapy, onto three regional campuses.
In 2005 he became Pro Vice-Chancellor at UWE Bristol, with the planning and resources portfolio. In 2006 he became Deputy Vice-Chancellor and was later appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor in August 2007.
In May 2008 Professor West took up post as Vice-Chancellor, at the age of 46. Professor West is a Fellow of the Society of Chiropodists, Fellow of the College of Podiatric Medicine and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. He continues to develop his research interest in Lower Limb Biomechanics and the Diabetic Foot and holds a number of honorary and advisory appointments in his discipline, and healthcare policy and practice, both nationally and internationally.
In August 2012, Professor West became Chair of University Alliance. University Alliance brings together 24 of the most innovative and enterprising universities in the UK – major institutions combining science and technology with a focus on delivering for the professions, business and the community.
In 2013, Professor West became President of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the West of England Initiative, forging the link between a business-facing university and the business leadership organisation Business West.
Civic and Professional Engagement
Professor West's Non-Executive Directorships, national and regional positions
| Position | Duration |
|---|---|
| Chair, University Alliance | 2012 - 2015 |
| President of Bristol Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the West of England Initiative | (President from January 2013) |
| Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts | 2012 - to date |
| Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Gloucestershire | 2012 - to date |
| Patron of Avon Air Ambulance Charity | 2012 - to date |
|
Non-Executive Director of the NHS South of England and Chair of the Patient Safety and Care Standards Committee |
2011 - to date |
| Non-Executive Director of The Leadership Foundation | 2010 - to date |
| Chair of Leadership Foundation and HEFCE Innovation and Transformation Leadership Fund | 2011 - 2013 |
| Board Member of Universities UK | |
| Fellow of the College of Podiatric Medicine | 2009 - to date |
| Member of HEFCE Healthcare Education Advisory Committee | 2007 - to date |
| Member of HENSE | 2007 - to date |
| Chair of UUK Health Education and Research Policy Network | 2011 - 2013 |
| Chair of Universities South West | 2010 - to date |
| Chair of Universities South West Health Planning Group | 2007 - to date |
| Patron, Royal West of England Academy | 2006 - to date |
| Regional Member of the Prince’s Trust | 2008 - to date |
| President of the City Academy Bristol | 2008 - to date |
| Member of the Bristol Initiative | 2008 - to date |
| Fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine | 2006 - to date |
Historic positions
| Position | Duration |
|---|---|
| Treasurer of University Alliance | 2009 - 2012 |
| Trustee of MusicSpace (Registered Charity) | 1997 -2006 |
| Non Executive Director of the AGW Strategic Health Authority | 2003 - 2006 |
| Interim Chair of Avon and then the Great Western Ambulance Trust | 2005 - 2006 |
| Non-Executive Director and Trustee of the Brandon Trust | 2005 - 2008 |
|
Vice-Chair and Non Executive Director of SWSHA and Chair of Clinical Governance Committee |
2006 - 2011 |
| Chair of the NHS Regional Leadership Development Training Board | 2006 - 2009 |
| Member of UCEA Clinical Staff Advisory Group | 2006 - 2011 |
| Executive Board Member of Council of Deans of Health (UK) | 2001 - 2006 |
| Chair of the Council of Deans of Health (UK) | 2007 - 2008 |
| Trustee, Bristol Urological Institute | 2007 - 2011 |
Page last updated 18 March 2013