Dame Anne Pringle elected Chancellor of the University of St Andrews

Dame Anne Pringle has been elected to serve as the new Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.

Dame Anne, a trailblazing diplomat who was formerly British Ambassador to Moscow, won a majority of support in an election also contested by Dame Barbara Woodward, Lord Mark Sedwill, and Lady Alex Walmsley.

She is the first woman to hold the office of Chancellor, the highest in the University, in over 600 years, and succeeds Lord Campbell of Pittenweem, who died last year.

Dame Anne, a St Andrews alumna, said: “It is the honour of my life to be elected Chancellor of St Andrews University.

“I would like to thank my nominators and supporters for their loyalty and belief in me.

“For more than six centuries St Andrews has championed curiosity and courage, tradition and innovation and scholarship in the service of society. As Chancellor, I will be an unwavering advocate for a university that is outward-looking, principled, and bold in its leadership, a place where talent is recognised wherever it is found and where ambition is matched by opportunity.

“St Andrews is defined not only by its history but by its people and a global community of alumni who carry its spirit into every discipline and every continent. I look forward to working closely with our students, staff and graduates, and with the Principal and her outstanding team to strengthen our global standing and secure our financial sustainability in an era of rapid change, fierce competition and profound social challenge.”

Principal and Vice-Chancellor of St Andrews, Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE, said:

“I am personally delighted for Dame Anne and for our university. She has been a steadfast supporter of St Andrews, and exemplified strong leadership through a period of significant change and challenge when she led University Court. She will be a brilliant Chancellor, and I am greatly looking forward to working with her again.

“I extend my warm thanks to the three excellent candidates who contested this election with Anne for their commitment to our university and willingness to serve.”

Born in Glasgow and educated at St Andrews where she gained an MA Hons in French and German in 1977, Anne Pringle was the first woman to serve as the UK’s Ambassador to Russia (2008 to 2011) and earlier as Ambassador to the Czech Republic (2001 to 2004).

She followed a stellar diplomatic career with roles in leadership, governance and public service across business, culture and academia, returning to St Andrews from 2016 to 2020 as Senior Governor of University Court.

She personally funds scholarships for undergraduates and researchers at St Andrews, reflecting her belief that opportunity, creativity and learning should be accessible to all.

More than 7,000 graduates and senior staff of St Andrews registered to vote in the election. A total of 5,210 votes were cast, 73.63% of registered voters, with none of these being invalid. The alternative vote system was used for the election.

In the third stage of voting Dame Anne Pringle secured 2,643 votes and Lord Mark Sedwill 2,215.

The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University and the position has existed since the University’s foundation in the 15th century.

The alternative vote system was used for the election of Chancellor and the full results were as follows:

First Stage
Lord Mark Sedwill                       1,619
Dame Anne Pringle                     1,601
Dame Barbara Woodward           1,251
Lady Walmsley                               739 (eliminated and votes transferred)

Second Stage
Dame Anne Pringle                     1,812
Lord Mark Sedwill                       1,807
Dame Barbara Woodward           1,475 (eliminated and votes transferred)
Non-transferrable                          116

Third Stage
Dame Anne Pringle                    2,643
Lord Mark Sedwill                      2,215
Non-transferrable                         352