²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø

Our much-loved entrepreneur, and star judge on The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) series, has stepped down from the role of Chancellor of ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, after seven years of dedicated service.

Dame Prue Leith CBE was installed in the role of Chancellor in July 2017, and has made a significant contribution to the institution over the years.  

As a writer, restauranteur and cookery expert, Prue brought a wide range of skills and knowledge to the role and was always enthusiastic to find out about University initiatives and developments. Drawing on her varied and successful career in business, hospitality, food education and TV, she was highly entertaining and very generous with her time when it came to sharing stories of her career journey and enthusing our students about entrepreneurship.  

Although it is always a treat to see the ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø Chancellor beamed into our living rooms on one of the UK’s most popular TV shows, Prue is so much more than just a TV personality. She has a hugely impressive track record – building a business from scratch, which grew to become Leith’s Good Food, the party and event caterer; and founding Leith’s School of Food and Wine, which trains professional chefs and amateur cooks.  

She paved the way for more female appointments on industry boards and in public life, having held non-executive director positions in organisations such as British Rail, Whitbread, and Belmond. Having spent 11 years as a judge on The Great British ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, and now six years on GBBO, as well as countless prime time appearances on a variety of TV shows, she has become a household name across the UK and well beyond! 

Although Prue is in her 80s, she’s not slowing down or shying away from challenging projects. During recent visits to ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, she told us about new businesses that she’s set afloat, and she recently progressed her involvement with the Dignity in Dying campaign with an investigation into assisted dying that was broadcast on Channel 4.  

During her time as Chancellor, Prue has brought energy and positivity to her role, and to the many events in which she has taken part. She’s interacted with school pupils, students and their families, graduates and staff.  We will miss her straight talking attitude, and, of course, her graduation speeches. However, she won’t feel far away. We can continue to enjoy watching her TV appearances, reading her newspaper columns and novels, and taking tips and recipes from some of her fabulous cook books.  

There’s no-one quite like the unstoppable Prue Leith. She has been a wonderful ambassador for ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø, and we are hugely grateful for the positive impact she’s made on the ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø community and on the University’s profile.

Last year, we launched a new initiative to further enhance the diversity of the membership of the University Court – the body which governs ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø. The GIVE project has been designed to help those without previous board experience, but who have much to offer in terms of professional experience and expertise, gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to join the University Court.

There was a high volume of interest in the scheme, and we are delighted to have appointed ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø graduate Becky Hope-Palmer as our first GIVE scheme participant. Becky, a freelance theatre director, graduated from ²ÝÝ®ÉçÇø in 2022 with a MA Applied Arts and Social Practice. Having worked with different production companies across the UK, she now predominately works at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as a visiting director, as well as on ‘A Play, A Pie and a Pint’ in Glasgow and at Dundee Rep.

In participating in the GIVE scheme, Becky will benefit from formal training and mentoring and observe the work of the University Court and its committees in action, with a view to her joining the University Court as a full member. By facilitating board membership through the GIVE initiative, we are enabling the University to benefit from the rich experience of talented individuals, including our graduates who can help shape the University’s future.