Announcements

I am delighted to announce that Anita Bhalla OBE has been appointed as the next Chair of Governors at Birmingham City University, succeeding me when my term of office finishes in May next year.

Anita was the founder of the BBC Asian Network and is a passionate champion of the creative arts in Birmingham and beyond. She will be an outstanding Chair of Governors here at BCU where we pride ourselves on being the University for our city.

She will take up her position as Deputy Chair/ Chair Designate on the Board from October this year, before stepping into the role of Chair in May 2023.

Anita is a proud Brummie and I know her deep understanding of the region will enhance everything this University does, especially as work continues to meet the goals laid out in the Strategy 2025.

She is also an alumna – having completed her Master’s at BCU.  Anita knows Higher Education well, having previously served as a Governor at BCU, and subsequently been Vice-Chair of the Council at the University of Warwick.

When considering the University’s mission - being the University for our city and enabling students to transform their lives - it is hard to imagine someone whose CV complements this as much as Anita’s. I know she will bring a degree of vision, leadership and indeed challenge that will ensure the University remains on track to achieve its goals.

In addition to her advocacy for the creative arts, Anita’s 26-year career with the BBC has seen her take on a varied range of roles – from being Head of Political and Community Affairs to Head of Public Space Broadcasting. 

She was a member of Birmingham’s recent Social Inclusion Commission and is currently Interim Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Chair of the West Midlands Mayor Leadership Commission and much more besides. 

I am very much looking forward to working with Anita when she joins the Board as Deputy Chair / Chair Designate. 

Mark Hopton

Chair of the Board of Governors

Champion of the creative industries and founder of the BBC Asian Network Anita Bhalla OBE has been named as the next Chair of Birmingham City University’s Board of Governors.

Anita will take up her position as Deputy Chair on the Board from October this year, before taking over as Chair when current incumbent Mark Hopton’s term of office finishes in May 2023.

A passionate Brummie herself, Anita will bring her deep understanding of the region to the roles of Deputy Chair and Chair, as the University continues working towards the goals laid out in its Strategy 2025.

In addition to her advocacy for the creative arts, Anita’s 26-year career with the BBC has seen her take on a varied range of roles – from a Correspondent to being Head of Political and Community Affairs to Head of Public Space Broadcasting. Alumna Anita also studied for her Master’s at BCU and understands the University’s mission in terms of both being the University for our city and transforming lives. She knows Higher Education well, having previously served as a Governor at BCU, and subsequently been Vice-Chair of the Council at the University of Warwick.

Her own personal CV speaks of a career devoted to public service – she was a member of Birmingham’s recent Social Inclusion Commission and is currently interim Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Chair of the West Midlands Mayor Leadership Commission and much more besides.

Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said:

Mark Hopton, current Chair of the Board of Governors, said: “We are all delighted to have secured a person of Anita’s calibre to lead the Board when my term finishes next year.

“I’m pleased that we will have the opportunity to work together for some months when she formally joins us in October, and I know I will be leaving the Board in very good hands.”

Anita Bhalla OBE said: “I am thrilled and excited to be joining Birmingham City University at a time when there are so many opportunities ahead of us as well as the inevitable challenges. Our University and students are vital to the economic and social growth of the region and I hope to play my part in helping this to become a reality. I am looking forward to working with a dedicated team to ensure we do the best for our students and the region."