Lord Nicholas Phillips took office as Chancellor of Bournemouth University in November 2009. He succeeded Lady Dione Digby who served as Chancellor since 2006 and becomes the fourth Chancellor in the University’s history.
Lord Phillips has enjoyed a distinguished legal career at the very highest levels of his profession. He is the UK’s most senior Law Lord. A former Master of the Rolls, Lord Phillips was the first Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales to serve as head of the English judiciary when that function was transferred from the Lord Chancellor in April 2006.
In October 2009, he became the first President of the new Supreme Court of the UK.
Educated at Bryanston School in Dorset, Lord Phillips undertook his national service with the Royal Navy before reading Law at King’s College, Cambridge. Lord Phillips was later called to the Bar and practised as a Barrister, specialising in maritime law. He eventually ‘took silk’ to become a Queen’s Counsel and later sat as a High Court Judge on the Queen’s Bench Division , and then a member of the Court of Appeal.
The Chancellor is the ceremonial Head of the University and a member of its Board. The Chancellor’s most public role is to preside over the University’s annual Graduation Ceremonies, conferring degrees on students. He will also attend other University events and serve as an ambassador for the institution in the UK and beyond.