OUR MUCH-LOVED entrepreneur, and star judge on The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) series, has stepped down from the role of Chancellor of ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ, after seven years of dedicated service.
Dame Prue Leith CBE was installed in the role of Chancellor in July 2017, and has
made a significant contribution to the institution over the years.
As a writer, restauranteur and cookery expert, Prue brought a wide range of skills and
knowledge to the role and was always enthusiastic to find out about University initiatives
and developments. Drawing on her varied and successful career in business, hospitality,
food education and TV, she was highly entertaining and very generous with her time
when it came to sharing stories of her career journey and enthusing our students about
entrepreneurship.
Although it is always a treat to see the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ Chancellor beamed into our living rooms on
one of the UK’s most popular TV shows, Prue is so much more than just a TV personality. She has a hugely impressive track record – building a business from scratch, which grew to become Leith’s Good Food, the party and event caterer; and founding Leith’s School of Food and Wine, which trains professional chefs and amateur cooks.
She paved the way for more female appointments on industry boards and in public
life, having held non-executive director positions in organisations such as British Rail,
Whitbread, and Belmond. Having spent 11 years as a judge on The Great British Menu,
and now six years on GBBO, as well as countless prime time appearances on a variety
of TV shows, she has become a household name across the UK and well beyond!
Although Prue is in her 80s, she’s not slowing down or shying away from challenging
projects. During recent visits to ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ, she told us about new businesses that she’s set
afloat, and she recently progressed her involvement with the Dignity in Dying campaign
with an investigation into assisted dying that was broadcast on Channel 4.
During her time as Chancellor, Prue has brought energy and positivity to her role, and to
the many events in which she has taken part. She’s interacted with school pupils, students and their families, graduates and staff. We will miss her straight talking attitude, and, of course, her graduation speeches. However, she won’t feel far away. We can continue to enjoy watching her TV appearances, reading her newspaper columns and novels, and taking tips and recipes from some of her fabulous cook books.
There’s no-one quite like the unstoppable Prue Leith. She has been a wonderful
ambassador for ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ, and we are hugely grateful for the positive impact she’s made on
the ÌÒ×ÓÊÓƵ community and on the University’s profile.
