GCU hire Countdown ‘trailblazer’ as chancellor
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has appointed 34-year-old Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE as chancellor, replacing Annie Lennox OBE who departed last year.
Imafidon is a talented academic, having passed GCSE’s at ten, becoming the youngest girl to pass A-level computing at the age of 11, and obtaining a master’s degree in mathematics, and computer science at 20 from the University of Oxford.
She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for her services to young women and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors, having co-founded Stemettes, a social enterprise promoting diversity in the sector.
Rob Woodward, Chair of Court at GCU, said: “Dr. Imafidon, an honorary graduate of Glasgow Caledonian who has already been a great champion of our students, is a trailblazer in the fields of business, mathematics, and technology.
Dr. Imafidon embodies our University values; confidence, creativity, integrity and responsibility, and I know she will be an exceptional figurehead and champion for us, inspiring our students, staff, and wider University community, as well as helping to drive forward our institutional priorities, nationally and internationally.”
As chancellor, her role will involve performing ceremonial duties as well as being an ambassador for the vision and values of the university.
The appointment of a young female diversity champion in Imafidon strengthens GCU’s commitment to forging greater opportunities for ethnic and social minorities.
The university stated that Imafidon would be formally announced during July’s student graduation ceremonies.
Imafidon’s work with Stemettes raised female involvement in STEM from 13% to 30%, while she has become more widely known through hosting Countdown and the Women Tech Charge podcast.
Her predecessor Annie Lennox served between 2018 and 2023 and was best known as the lead singer of the pop duo Eurythmics in the 1980s.
Social activist Lennox was GCU’s first female chancellor and had a campus building named after her in 2022.
