The Vice-Chancellor of St Mary's University, Twickenham, Professor Anthony McClaran, has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025–26 academic year.

Professor McClaran joined St Mary's in April 2020 and has led the university through a period of significant change and development, including the challenges of the Covid pandemic and successive lockdowns.

During his six years at the helm, St Mary's has recorded its strongest-ever performance in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 and, in 2023, entered the top 50 of The Times Good University Guide.

The university has also expanded its academic offer, introducing new subject areas such as Physiotherapy and Computer Science, alongside the launch of SMU Online.

These developments have complemented St Mary's long-established strengths in teacher education, sport and health sciences, and theology.

A major milestone is set for September, when the university opens its new School of Medicine in the purpose-built Centenary Building.

This follows a series of capital projects that have seen significant improvements and restoration work across the historic Strawberry Hill campus.

In 2025, Professor McClaran led celebrations marking two major anniversaries: 175 years since the university's foundation and 100 years since its move to Strawberry Hill.

Looking ahead, St Mary's is also planning its first overseas campus in Dubai, due to open in 2027.

Professor McClaran has spent more than 40 years in higher education, holding senior roles at Warwick, Hull and St Mary's universities, as well as leading major sector bodies including UCAS, the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) and Australia's higher education regulator, TEQSA.

He has also held a number of non-executive and governance roles across the education sector in the UK and internationally.

Speaking about his retirement, Professor McClaran said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to lead St Mary's University over these six years. Since 1850, we've been a community that places our students and their wellbeing and success at the heart of everything we do.

"We're ambitious for excellence, as our rise up the rankings shows, and the opening of the School of Medicine will be another great step forward. Our achievements are those of a strong, committed team across the whole community, and my deepest thanks go to all of them."

The Archbishop-elect of Westminster, Richard Moth, Chair of St Mary's governing body, paid tribute to Professor McClaran's leadership.

He said: "Anthony McClaran has given outstanding service to St Mary's University since joining us in 2020. His experience and vision have guided the continuing development of the university, not least the progress towards the opening of the School of Medicine later this year.

"While the university community will be very sad to see Anthony leave, we wish him and his family well in all that lies ahead."

Professor McClaran will step down at the end of the academic year, with the search for his successor now underway.

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