Vice Chancellor Professor Ashley Wheaton announces plans to step down

張貼於： 2026-04-29

The University of the Built Environment has announced today that Professor Ashley Wheaton has decided to step down from his role as Vice Chancellor by spring 2027, after 13 years of transformational leadership of the institution.   

 Reflecting on Professor Wheaton’s time with the institution, Ros Kerslake CBE, Chair of the University of the Built Environment Board of Trustees, said:  

“I want to thank Ashley for his remarkable contribution to the University. Put simply, the University would not be the institution it is today without his leadership over a significant period.” 

“Together with his team, Ashley has done a tremendous job of supporting and nurturing the next generation of professionals to meet the urgent demand for more housing, infrastructure and regeneration in a sustainable built environment.”  

 Professor Wheaton, commented on his tenure so far, saying:  

“I will look back on my time at the University with a sense of real pride and accomplishment. Whilst there is still more work to do, becoming the University of the Built Environment reflects how much we have achieved in my time here and I feel I have fulfilled everything I joined to do back in 2013.  

“It is a great honour to support our talented students and to provide the sector with highly qualified graduates who deliver creative and innovative solutions whilst upholding the highest of professional standards. Our core purpose to provide truly accessible, relevant and cost-effective education, which enhances careers, increases professionalism and contributes to a sustainable built environment has become ever more important. 

“I am grateful to colleagues past and present for their tireless work to bring our vision to life and I look forward to supporting the University as it enters its next chapter, whilst personally pursuing new opportunities and continuing to contribute to our sector.” 

Thirteen transformational years 

Ashley joined the then College of Estate Management (CEM) in 2013 as Principal with a clear mission: to realise the institution’s ambition to be the centre of excellence for built environment education.   

Since this time, he has guided the institution through a period of rapid development: first becoming a University College in 2016, renewing and then receiving indefinite degree awarding powers from 2022, and the merger with the London School of Architecture in 2025. This was followed by a major milestone in June, when the organisation became known as the University of the Built Environment, better reflecting the institution’s broadened scope and ambition.  

During Ashley’s leadership, the University has expanded and now has more than 4,000 students. The University of the Built Environment is now the largest provider of degree apprenticeships in the built environment in the UK and is a major voice and convenor in the sector, notably through the Built Environment Futures Assembly.  

A particular highlight was the celebration of the University’s centenary in 2019, which marked the founding of CEM to support rebuilding the country after the First World War. A landmark series of events culminated in a special visit from Patron His Majesty King Charles III, then HRH The Prince of Wales. 

The University will reflect further on the achievements during Ashley’s tenure in the coming months.  

Next steps 

Ashley will continue to lead the University as Vice Chancellor in the immediate future. It is expected he will step down by Spring 2027 as part of a planned transition.  

The process to recruit the University’s next Vice Chancellor is expected to get underway later this year.