Professor David Latchman CBE is the Master of Birkbeck College, University of London, a post he took up in January 2003.   He is also Professor of Genetics at Birkbeck and UCL.

He obtained a BA with first class honours in Natural Sciences, specialising in Genetics, from the University of Cambridge in 1978 and was awarded a PhD in 1981 and a DSc in 1994.

After academic posts in the Departments of Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology at UCL he was appointed to the Chair of Human Genetics at UCL and became Dean of the Institute of Child Health in 1999.

Professor Latchman has published extensively in the field of Genetics and Molecular Biology.  He has continued to pursue a high level of research activity in addition to his management responsibilities.  He has a track record as a fund-raiser, having raised over £9 million whilst Dean at the Institute of Child Health and also has significant experience of the commercial exploitation of intellectual property, having obtained Venture Capital funding to found a Company (BioVex Ltd) on the basis of patents developed by his laboratory.

Professor Latchman also serves on a variety of other committees including: Universities U.K. Research Policy Strategy Committee; Lifelong Learning UK Council; London Development Agency Board (Observer); London First Board; CBI London Council.   He was Chairman of London Higher, an umbrella organisation representing the interests of the Higher Education Sector from June 2006 to June 2010 serving the maximum two terms of office.

In 2009 he was appointed by the Mayor of London to serve on the London Skills and Employment Board and Promote London Council.

He is also a patron of Women and Children First, a UK registered charity working to develop and share best healthcare practices to improve maternal and newborn health in poor communities and particularly in developing countries.

Professor Latchman was awarded the CBE for services to Higher Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List of June 2010.

Other Charities

Patron of Women and Children First
Trustee of the Maurice Wohl Charitable Foundation
Trustee of the Maurice and Vivienne Wohl Philanthropic Foundation