In its reshuffle of senior management, The University of Law (ULaw) has appointed Lord Grabiner QC (pictured) as president after the departure of the incumbent-holder and chief executive, John Latham, by ‘mutual consent’.
Lord Grabiner, who took up the role on 1 August has practiced as a barrister since being called to the Bar in 1968 and he took silk in 1981. Serving as a tenant and then head of chambers of One Essex Court and specialising in commercial disputes, he also became treasurer of Lincoln’s Inn for 2013 and has sat as a Deputy High Court judge in the Chancery division and Commercial Court.
Commenting on his appointment, Lord Grabiner said: ‘This is an exciting time in ULaw’s rich history and I am very delighted to take up this Board position – I look forward to working with the management team and also to imparting my knowledge to assist my academic colleagues continue to offer the very best learning experiences to the lawyers of the future.’
The move follows the departure of president and chief executive Latham, who joined the university in 2013 from Laureate Education. ULaw, which has lost several key clients including Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance and Baker & McKenzie to rival Legal Practice Course (LPC) provider BPP, also announced yesterday that it would offer an Employment Promise to students, a money-back guarantee to those who don’t secure a job nine months after graduation.
Latham, who helped oversee the university’s sale to Global University Systems (GUS) with Montagu Private Equity exiting its investment after less than three years, will continue to lead a review of ‘strategic options’ for the new group which includes looking at how ULaw will fit into GUS’s existing educational portfolio.
Chief operating officer David Johnston replaced Latham in the role also from 1 August, with current provost professor Andrea Nollent taking up a chief academic officer position.
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk
