Innovation and civic engagement the focus for new senior appointment
Following an extensive recruitment process, Professor John Holden has been appointed as Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation. His appointment follows the retirement of Professor Richard Jones.
John will sit on the University Executive with responsibility for driving The University of Manchester鈥檚 strategic agenda across civic engagement and innovation, working in partnership with local, regional and national stakeholders, and across the full breadth of our university community.
John brings extensive experience in strategic leadership across higher education, national and local government, and industry. In his current role as Associate Vice President for Major Special Projects at The University of Manchester, he has played lead roles in delivering key initiatives, including the establishment of the UK鈥檚 , the relocation of the UK Biobank to the Oxford Road Corridor, and the creation of the Turing Innovation Catalyst. He was the University鈥檚 lead in establishing Sister, the 20-year project to build a new innovation district on the former North Campus.
In 2024, he co-led the University鈥檚 Regional Innovation Review and played a pivotal role in the creation of , the University鈥檚 new dedicated innovation arm launched to unlock the University鈥檚 full potential as the region鈥檚 largest innovation asset and drive inclusive growth regionally and nationally. Recently he has also been instrumental in developing our burgeoning relationship with Cambridge which is pioneering a new model of place-to-place collaboration to drive inclusive economic growth for the UK.
I am delighted to have been appointed Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation. With these two critical agendas set to be at the heart of our new 10-year strategy launching in October, this is a pivotal moment for the University and an exciting time to take on a role focused on driving its delivery.
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: 鈥淲e want to be one of the leading 21st Century civic universities in the world. A significant part of that vision is to be a powerhouse for innovation and strategic partnerships in our city region, the UK and globally.
鈥淛ohn brings a strong track record of civic engagement and developing innovative programs and policies that have contributed to creating opportunities for our region and beyond. To further this ambition, it is vital that we work with our partners and communities to meet the challenges that they face and I鈥檓 excited that John is set to play a leading part in this.鈥�
Professor John Holden, Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation, said: 鈥淚 am delighted to have been appointed Vice-President for Civic Engagement and Innovation. With these two critical agendas set to be at the heart of our new 10-year strategy launching in October, this is a pivotal moment for the University and an exciting time to take on a role focused on driving its delivery.
鈥淥ur University has a proud tradition of working in partnership with our city and region, recognising that our success and the success of our region are inextricably linked. By strengthening our collaborations with industry, civic partners, and communities we can accelerate research into real-world impact, help our students unlock their full potential, and develop solutions to the major challenges that face our region and the world.
鈥淎s one of the North of England鈥檚 most significant innovation assets, the University has the scale, capabilities, and global reach to play a central role in driving inclusive economic growth and prosperity not just for our region but for the whole of the UK.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to working with our students, staff, alumni and partners to improve lives and create opportunities locally, nationally and globally 鈥� and I look forward to engaging with current and future collaborators about how we can make this happen together.鈥�
Before joining the University in 2020, John spent 15 years in senior strategy and policy roles in Greater Manchester. He was instrumental in shaping the city region鈥檚 Mayoral Combined Authority, including the landmark 2014 鈥楧evo Manc鈥� devolution deal and subsequent agreements that transferred significant powers and funding from the UK government to the city region. As head of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority鈥檚 Strategy and 天美影视 team, he worked with Mayor Andy Burnham, Sir Richard Leese, the late Sir Howard Bernstein and other regional leaders to set and deliver economic growth and public service reform policy.
He has advised national and international organisations on regional policy, including the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. John is also a Board member of the Rochdale Development Agency, a North West Council Member of the Confederation of British Industry, a member of the Oxford Road Corridor Executive, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
John will begin in his new role from 1st October 2025.