Professor Phil Taylor appointed as the University of Bath’s next Vice-Chancellor
Following a meeting of University of Bath Council, Professor Phil Taylor has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath and will take up office on 1st August 2024.
Professor Taylor is an internationally leading researcher and industry expert in energy systems, electrical distribution networks, smart grids, and energy storage integration and control, who has worked in industry and academia for more than 25 years.
In his current role as Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Bristol Professor Taylor has been actively involved in the GW4 Alliance, including advancing sustainable Net Zero research and supporting the development of the GW4 supercomputer, Isambard. The success of GW4 supercomputer Isambard led to a £225m investment from the Government to create the UK's fastest AI Supercomputer, for which Professor Taylor is the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO).
He also leads the £10m EPSRC Supergen Energy Networks Hub at the University of Bristol and until May 2022 he was Director and Co-Director for the £20m EPSRC National Centre for Energy Systems Integration.
In 2022, Professor Taylor was appointed by the Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government’s Net Zero Innovation Board and became Chair of the GW4 Board (Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter universities). During his tenure GW4 celebrated their 10 year anniversary and launched a new strategic vision for the next five years.
Professor Phil Taylor said: “It is a real privilege to be appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath. As Pro Vice Chancellor at Bristol and Chair of Board for GW4, I have got to know the University of Bath as a partner over the last few years and am excited both by its achievements and potential.
“I very much look forward to working with colleagues to build on the University’s accomplishments and to ensure the dynamism and energy of the community continues to shape a successful and sustainable future, rooted in our region alongside truly international reach.”
GW4 Alliance Director, Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, said: “We are delighted Professor Taylor has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath, and wish him every success in his new role which will see him retain a critical role in the GW4 Alliance. He has been a huge supporter of GW4 and deeply involved in building our interdisciplinary research strengths across the Alliance, developing external partnerships and shaping our vision for the future focusing on key global challenges including achieving sustainable Net Zero, advancing Health and Wellbeing and delivering digital transformation.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Ian White, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath and our current GW4 Chair of Council, for his fantastic leadership, support and vision for GW4. We look forward to building on these successes and working further with Professor Taylor along with all our members and partners to advance research and innovation across our region and beyond.”
Pamela Chesters CBE, Chair of University of Bath Council (and member of GW4 Chairs of Council and Trustees), said: “I am delighted that Professor Taylor has been appointed as the next Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bath. We were impressed by Phil’s understanding of the essence of Bath as a dual intensive University, committed to excellence in both teaching and research. His thoughts on how we could build on our recent successes to increase further our impact, both in the UK and particularly internationally, resonated equally with staff and student representatives on the interview panel. Professor Taylor’s exceptional academic record, and strong experience in industry and commerce, will help the University of Bath to build on its positive trajectory and achievements to date, under the leadership of Professor Ian White. We look forward to welcoming Phil to Bath when he takes up office in August.”
