NEWS OUBS

Global business leader is The Open University’s new Vice-Chancellor

Martin Bean, The Open University’s fifth Vice-Chancellor takes over today following Professor Gourley’s retirement last month. Martin joins from the private sector with more than 20 years experience in training and education, and has held senior executive positions in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Martin Bean said: “The Open University is a truly unique organisation that has harnessed the power of technology and transformed the way people access high quality educational opportunities. Its mission and approach are more relevant today to the needs of society and the potential offered by technology than ever.

“There is a growing gap between an increasingly knowledge-driven economy and the numbers of people with the skills to succeed. In these economically challenging times, traditional routes to education cannot offer a dramatic increase in scale to allow for wider access. Supported open learning, which can be delivered by all kinds of media platforms, is part of the solution in both the developed economies and the developing world. The potential is enormously exciting.

“I am delighted to be part of the next generation of The Open University and look forward to the journey ahead.”