Office of the Vice-Chancellor

Professor Gerald Pillay Vice-Chancellor & Rector

Pat Kemble. Proctor & PA to the Vice-Chancellor & Rector

Clare McKinnell Administrative Assistant

Professor Gerald Pillay, Vice-Chancellor and Rector 

Professor Pillay, a citizen of New Zealand, was born in the former British colony of Natal in South Africa.

He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Rhodes University and a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Durban. After lecturing at the University of Durban-Westville, Professor Pillay became Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of South Africa in 1988. 

In 1997 Professor Pillay became Foundation Professor and Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Otago University, New Zealand’s oldest University, based in Dunedin.

In 1998, he was asked to serve as the first Head of Liberal Arts within that University. He has served in various senior leadership roles at The University of South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria and has lectured in several institutions abroad.

He is widely published and has a distinguished academic career. In 2003, Professor Pillay was appointed Rector of Liverpool Hope and became its first Vice-Chancellor and Rector in 2005. In January 2009 he was appointed Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside. 

A Guardian interview with Professor Pillay can be read at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/jan/29/academicexperts.highereducationprofile

The Office of the Vice-Chancellor is managed by Pat Kemble.

The Vice-Chancellor & Rector is also the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and, amongst many other things, is responsible to University Council for the organisation, direction and management of the University and leadership of the staff.

The Rectorate Team comprises the University's Senior Management Team, namely Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Academic Development), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Resource Management & Planning), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Support & Well-being), Pro Vice-Chancellor (External Relations & Widening Participation) , Dean of Arts & Humanities, Dean of Education, Dean of Sciences & Social Sciences, University Secretary, in addition to the Vice-Chancellor & Rector. The Rectorate Team meets on a weekly basis.