Port Vale chair appointed university chancellor

The chair of Port Vale FC has been confirmed as a university's new chancellor.

Carol Shanahan will step into the role at Keele University in Staffordshire, becoming the first woman to do so since Princess Margaret, who held the position from 1962 to 1986.

She will take over from Lord James Timpson, who stepped down after being appointed the government's prisons minister.

Shanahan, who was awarded an honorary degree from Keele in 2022 for services to the community, said she was "honoured beyond words" and excited to get started. "Academic rigour, leadership and guidance are vital if we want to drive meaningful social change," she said.

"Universities like Keele have a crucial role to play in helping tackle some of the major challenges facing society."

The chancellor is the university's most senior honorary position and includes presiding over graduations and carrying out ceremonial duties.

Keele's vice-chancellor Professor Kevin Shakesheff said he was "delighted" to welcome Shanahan to the university.

"Her career exemplifies values strongly aligned with Keele University's mission – access to education, social justice, civic responsibility, sustainability and partnership with local communities," he said.

Before taking on her role at Port Vale, which she has held since 2019, Shanahan co-founded technology firm Synectics Solutions in 1992.

She also set up the Hubb Foundation in 2018 to support children and families in Stoke-on-Trent during the school holidays.

Shanahan was appointed OBE in 2020 for services to the community of Stoke-on-Trent and was awarded the freedom of the city in 2025.

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