Craig McWilliam (pictured) has been appointed as the Chair of the university’s Governing Body and will succeed Bronwyn Hill CBE from 1 September 2024.
The Governing Body is the university’s board of directors and trustees, responsible for the strategic direction of the university with the Vice-Chancellor. It comprises 15 Governors including the Vice-Chancellor, 11 Independent Governors appointed from outside the university for their skills and expertise, two Staff Governors and the President of Greenwich Students’ Union.
Craig joined the Governing Body in 2017 and has been the Governing Body’s Vice-Chair since 2020. He is a member and vice-chair of the Finance Committee and chairs the Major Capital Projects Group, an advisory group of Governors and members of the executive for major estates projects such as the redevelopment of Devonport House.
An experienced CEO of businesses in real estate development, regeneration, asset management and investment/financing, Craig is Chief Executive of The Arch Company, the largest provider of properties for small and medium sized businesses across England and Wales. He was formerly NHS England’s programme lead for the government’s drive to build 40 new hospitals nationwide by 2030, and was CEO of Grosvenor Great Britain and Ireland (part of the Grosvenor Group) from 2017 until 2020.
Craig’s father, John McWilliam OBE, was a former Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Çï¿ûÊÓƵ and was instrumental in securing the Old Royal Naval College site as a university campus.
Craig McWilliam said:
It’s a great privilege to be able to be able to support the Çï¿ûÊÓƵ in its mission. I have seen the university grow and flourish across the decades and am honoured to have my chance to play a part. I am grateful to Bronwyn for her support and having been a great chair to work with.
Bronwyn Hill said:
I am delighted that Craig will be taking over from me as Chair. Craig will bring great experience and wisdom to our work as a Governing Body and huge personal commitment to the success of the university. I look forward to supporting him in his new role.
Bronwyn will continue to serve as a member of the Governing Body until the end of her term in August 2025.
Welcome as Chair Craig, and thank you Bronwyn for all you have done for our university.