A trouble-hit university hopes an award-winning musician will prove “incredibly popular” in her new role as chancellor.
Former BBC Newsnight presenter and politician hopeful Gavin Esler announced he will step down later this year from the University of Kent role.
And the position is set to be filled by double-Mobo-winning musician and broadcaster YolanDa Brown.
The 41-year-old will be the university’s first black chancellor and the first woman to hold the title since the late Duchess of Kent Princess Marina stepped down in 1968.
The University of Kent – which has campuses in Canterbury and Medway – has made headlines this year after plans to axe six courses sparked fury and protests by staff and students.
Mrs Brown graduated with a first-class undergraduate master’s degree in European management science with Spanish from the university’s Kent Business School, before bagging a second master’s and a PhD.
The talented saxophonist and composer went on to release critically acclaimed albums and tour with the likes of Billy Ocean, Jools Holland and The Temptations.
She was appointed OBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to music, music education and broadcasting.
The mum-of-two will be installed as chancellor in a graduation ceremony in July.
Speaking about the appointment, YolanDa Brown said: “My time at the University of Kent was character-building, life-affirming and a bucket full of emotions.
“Every single time I am on campus a new memory returns, so you can imagine my joy in accepting this role as chancellor.
“The University of Kent has always been at the forefront of fostering a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community.
“Its dedication to providing outstanding education, promoting research that makes a real-world difference and its unwavering support for students from all walks of life resonates deeply with my values.
“I am excited to work alongside the talented staff, and students to build on this foundation as the university strives towards new heights of achievement.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Karen Cox described her as an “outstanding and inspirational role model”.
“I have no doubt she will be incredibly popular with our students, staff and alumni, all of whom will make her feel very welcome when she returns to the University in July,” she said.
Professor Cox announced she is stepping down from her high-profile roles after a turbulent year for the institution.
About 200 staff and students demonstrated on the Canterbury campus after it announced six courses were set to be axed.
In a further cash-saving measure, the university’s Rochester and Gillingham buildings on the Medway campus are to be handed over to the University of Greenwich, which shares the site.
All the remaining departments at the Gillingham campus will be moved into the Medway building.
An “extensive” recruitment process will now take place to appoint the university’s seventh vice-chancellor.
Meanwhile, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor Professor Georgina Randsley de Moura will take over as acting vice-chancellor when Professor Cox leaves on May 22.
During his time at Kent, Gavin Esler stood to become an MEP at the 2019 European Parliamentary elections as a Change UK candidate campaigning for another referendum on Brexit.
Announcing his departure in September, he said: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have continued my long association with the University of Kent as chancellor for the last ten years.
“It is a wonderful institution with a proud history and an exciting future.
“As the search for my successor begins, I wish the university – its students, staff and alumni – all the very best.”
