History of the Governing Body of
the
University of Westminster and
predecessors
Under the 1891 Charity Commissioners Scheme,
Regent Street Polytechnic established a Governing Body for the
first time. Although there were no specific provisions for
the office of President, this role was immediately filled by the
institution's founder, Quintin Hogg. The President was
also Chair of the Governing Body until 1962, thereafter the role
was discontinued. A Director of Education was also appointed
from 1891, this role became known as the Rector and then, from
1996, as Vice Chancellor.
Presidents
1891-1903 Quintin
Hogg
1903-1944 Sir Kynaston
Studd
1944-1950 Douglas
Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham
1950-1962 Bernard
Studd
Role discontinued until 1982 when, in
recognition of his long service to the Polytechnic, F Walter Oakley
was designated as Honorary President.
Chair of Governors
1891-1903 Quintin
Hogg
1903-1944 Sir Kynaston
Studd
1944-1950 Douglas
Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham
1950-1962 Bernard
Studd
1962 Quintin
McGarel Hogg, 2nd Viscount Hailsham
1962-1982 F W
Oakley
1982-1985 K D
Brough
1985-1993 Sir Cyril
Pitts
1993-1998 Sir Leonard
Peach
1999-2004 Alan
Thomas
2005-current Dr Terence Wright
Directors of
Education
1891-1922 Robert Mitchell
1922-1932 Thomas
Worswick
1932-1944 D
Humphrey
1944-1956 J C
Jones
1956-1970 Sir Eric
Richardson
Rectors
1970-1982 Prof Colin
Adamson
1982-1995 Prof
Terence Burlin
Vice Chancellors
1996-2007 Dr
Geoffrey
Copland
2007-current Prof Geoff Petts
Individual Biographies
Prof Terence
Burlin
Professor Burlin joined the Poly in 1962 as a
senior lecturer in Radiology, becoming a Reader in 1969. In
1971 he was appointed Pro Rector before taking on the role of
Acting Rector in 1982 following the departure of Colin
Adamson. The Court of Governors approved his appointment
to the position of Rector in 1984. Prof Burlin served in this
role for eleven years, overseeing the transformation
of the Polytechnic into the University of Westminster.
Dr Geoffrey
Copland
Geoffrey Copland studied Physics at Oxford University and
has a doctorate in Solid State Physics. Two years as a
post-doctoral researcher at Yale University in the USA were
followed by eleven years researching and lecturing in physics at
Queen Mary College and Queen Elizabeth College, both of the
University of London. For six years from 1981, Dr Copland was
Dean of Studies at Goldsmiths' College. He joined PCL in 1987
as Deputy Rector responsible for academic affairs and support,
becoming Rector and Vice Chancellor in January
1996. Dr Copland retired in July 2007
after twenty years at the University.
Quintin Hogg (1845-1903)
Quintin Hogg founded a Ragged School in the
1860s to provide educational facilities for boys in the slum areas
around Covent Garden in London. This was followed in 1873 by
an Institute catering for older boys. Hogg moved his
Institute to 309 Regent Street in 1882 where he was able to fully
develop his vision for the intellectual, social and religious needs
of young working men. The Polytechnic Institute provided a library,
social rooms, gymnasium and swimming bath for members, together
with evening classes in technical education. By 1888
membership was 4,200 in addition to 7,300 students, and over 200
classes were held weekly as well as concerts and lectures. In
1891 the Institute became the model on which other polytechnics
were founded and was renamed Regent Street Polytechnic.
Douglas Hogg, 1st Viscount Hailsham
(1872-1950)
The eldest son of Quintin Hogg, Hailsham was a
Member of Parliament for St Marylebone and a member of HM Privy
Council. Following his father’s death in 1903 he divided his time
between commitments to the Polytechnic and his political and legal
career. He was Lord Chancellor in 1928-1929 and again in
1935-1938. In 1944 he took on the roles of Acting President
and Chair of the Governors of the Polytechnic, refusing to be
elected to either office. He held both offices until his
death in 1950.
Robert Mitchell
(1855-1932)
Mitchell attended Quintin Hogg’s Boys’
Institute as a young man. He became involved in the
Institute's organisation from 1871 when he took on the role of
Honorary Secretary, becoming Secretary in 1878. In 1891 under
the Charity Commissioners' Scheme for the newly-created Regent
Street Polytechnic, he became Director of Education and was
responsible for the expansion of technical education provision at
the Polytechnic. Mitchell took Polytechnic parties to
the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1892, and in 1893 purchased chalets
in Switzerland that were to become the base for the Polytechnic
Touring Association abroad. Mitchell was actively involved in
the organisation of the 1908 London Olympics, providing ceremonies
and facilities for visiting athletes. In 1910-12 he oversaw
the rebuilding of 309 Regent Street. During the First World
War he was made an Hon. Major and worked with the Red Cross; and
from 1917-1919 he acted as advisor to the Ministry of Pensions on
the training of disabled soldiers. During these two years, Mr
J M Andrew took on the role as Acting Director. Mitchell
retired as Director in 1922, but remained closely involved with the
Poly as Vice President and a member of the Governing Body. He
endowed a scholarship fund and a gold medal for the best art and
best science student each year at the Polytechnic.
Prof Geoff Petts
Click here for links to the
webpages of the University of Westminster's current Vice
Chancellor.
Major Thomas
Worswick (?-1932)
Thomas Worswick was born in Ashton, near
Wigan. He was awarded a scholarship to Liverpool University
where, besides achieving a BSc and MSc, he captained the University
Football Club. His first association with the Polytechnic was
in connection with touring arrangements in Switzerland, before
joining the staff of the Polytechnic in 1909 as a lecturer in
mathematics. Worswick was awarded an OBE Military Division
for his work during the First World War with the RAF. He was
appointed as Assistant Director of Education under Mitchell in
December 1919 and then succeeded to the Directorship in 1922.
Worswick oversaw the development of the Great Portland Street
Extension, now 4-12 Little Titchfield Street, which opened in
October 1929.