Professor Wendy Purcell is Vice-Chancellor and President of Plymouth University and established its vision to be the enterprise university the University is the UKs leading green university placing sustainability at the core of its mission.

Wendy is Professor of Biomedicine with a degree in Biological Sciences and PhD in Immunopharmacology, and has an international reputation in her field of pre-clinical sciences.

In July 2013, Professor Purcell was appointed as a Non-Executive Board Member of the UK Governments Department for Business, Innovation and Skills BIS, in light of her extensive knowledge and experience as a leading figure in the Higher Education sector. She acted as an Expert Adviser on Sir Andrew Wittys Review of Universities and Economic Growth 2013 and Sir Adrian Smiths Postgraduate Review 2010.

Professor Purcell both chairs and is a member of various national councils and boards the area of Healthcare Science and Genomics. She is Director of sectors Sustainability Association EAUC and Universities UK Long-term Strategy Group, on the board of the Confederation of British Industry, Science and Industry Council and National Council of Universities and Business she is also a trustee of local trusts and foundations.

Professor Purcell is an elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce and is active in the field of leadership practice and new models in HE as well as continuing her scientific research.