Brian Cantor will join Bradford University as Vice-Chancellor in September after 11 years at York.
Cantor first took the role in 2002 and has presided over the expansion of the Heslington East campus. However, he has been heavily criticised for his expenses, as revealed by Vision in 2010, and for the University’s falling league table positions.
He was named 33rd most influential man in the North of England by Big Issue in the North in 2011, beating Labour Party leader Ed Miliband by one place.
Cantor was at the forefront of a Vision exclusive in 2010, after it was revealed he claimed nearly £135,000 in expenses over the previous three financial years – a figure dwarfing the claims by his counterparts at other top universities and even the Director General of the BBC.
That includes, for example, a chauffeured service from the Heslington West campus to Heslington East costing £141, and over £50,000 in flights.
Cantor has been made a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list, for his services to Higher Education.
There was a mixed reaction from students, with one second-year Philosophy student “pleased” Cantor is leaving earlier than anticipated, saying: “He doesn’t seem to have done any good for this University. Good riddance I say!”
“He doesn’t seem to have done any good for this University.”
Just secured funding for Hes East and improved our international links with places like China… No, he’s done nothing at all.
Ask an anonymous student who knows nothing about what the Vice-Chancellor really does and that’s the sort of answer you’ll get.