Chris Cobb joined the University of London in August 2011 as Chief Operating Officer (COO) & University Secretary.

The role of Chief Operating Officer & University Secretary

The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for supporting the Vice-Chancellor in the day-to-day running of the University and also for operational planning and strategic leadership of the professional services, including diversification of income and further development of shared services.

The University Secretary is responsible for ensuring that the University remains compliant within the appropriate legal framework, which defines its obligations and duties, and to support the governance of the University through its Board of Trustees and Collegiate Council.

Profile of Chris Cobb

Chris Cobb graduated in Business and Computing and began his career as an analyst programmer at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), implementing and developing computer systems for its administration.  During the course of 18 years at the LSE, including a period as an independent consultant, Chris gradually took on increasing levels of responsibility to become Director of Business Systems & Services.

He left the LSE in 2005 to become Pro Vice-Chancellor at Roehampton University with responsibility for HR, Estates & Facilities Management, Information & Communications Technology and Library Services. This role also encompassed business process change, and in this capacity he led a number of different efficiency and business automation projects, as well as a major academic restructuring.

Chris is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a judge for the Times Higher Awards. He has participated on a number of national groups in support of JISC and the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and is a consultant for the European University Association (EUA). Chris is currently a member of the HEFCE Cloud Advisory Group established under the Universities Modernisation Fund.

Contact the Chief Operating Officer

Phone: +44 (020) 7862 8011
Email: coo@london.ac.uk