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Sir David Bell KCB

Sir David Bell became Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland in September 2018.

In a career spanning over 37 years, Sir David has held a number of major posts across the education system. Between 2012 and 2018, he was Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading. Previously, he was Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education (2006 – 2011), serving four Secretaries of State and three Prime Ministers. He also served as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Schools between 2002 and 2005.

Sir David holds honorary degrees from the University of Strathclyde and De Montfort University. He is also an Honorary Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Administration and has been awarded a Fellowship of the City and Guilds of London Institute. He is a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company and sits on the Sunderland City Board and the Employment and Skills Board of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.

Sir David was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2011 Birthday Honours.