I am sorry to announce that Vice Chancellor Charles Hunt will be leaving ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ at the end of July. ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥â€™s Board of Directors have been reviewing ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥â€™s strategy, and in June made a decision to progress in a direction that Charles regrettably does not feel able to support.
During his 33 years of dedicated service, firstly as a faculty member and with the last 17 years spent leading the organisation, Charles has played a pivotal role in elevating ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥'s reputation and shaping the osteopathic profession. ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥, and before that BSO, is recognised nationally and internationally as the leading provider of osteopathic higher education with the brand representing excellence, innovation and professional leadership.
Under Charles’s leadership, the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ has achieved a number of significant milestones in recent years, becoming the first independent osteopathic institution to attain taught degree awarding powers, institutional designation and the coveted University College title. More recently the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ secured a silver award in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and was recognised for its high-quality research output in the institution’s first submission to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework Exercise (REF).
Charles provided exemplary leadership of the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ as it dealt with the Covid pandemic and a fire in the clinic building, ensuring minimal disruption to the student experience and patient care, and providing direction and support to the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥â€™s team of staff through unprecedented times of change. His inclusive leadership has helped to build a passionate and dedicated ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ team and he will be missed by those who have had the opportunity work with him.
He has led the delivery of other innovative projects, including the acquisition and fit out of a purpose- built site for the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥ Clinic on Southwark Bridge Road in 2007, establishing it as the largest of its kind in Europe. He has also played a pivotal role in developing and supporting partnerships with other academic institutions both in England and Europe, further extending the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥â€™s reach in new and rewarding directions.
Beyond the ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥, Charles has actively contributed to the advancement of the osteopathic profession through his chairing of the board of the Osteopathic International Alliance, during which time it entered into an official relationship with the World Health Organisation. Through his involvement in multiple osteopathic committees and working groups he has helped to create benchmarks and standards for osteopathy, and chaired the Council of Osteopathic Educational Institutions while also serving 6 years on the Quality Assurance Agency’s (QAA) Advisory Committee for Degree Awarding Powers.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our gratitude to Charles for his contributions to ˽·¿tvÖ±²¥'s heritage and reputation and convey our best wishes for his continued success in all his future endeavours.
Jo Price
Chair of the Board
20 July 2023