We’ve officially announced that Lord Seb Coe will be Loughborough’s next University Chancellor. But what does that actually mean? 

What’s changing?

To put any initial fears at rest, Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Allison (VC Bob) isn’t going anywhere! Even though it may not look it from the names, there’s a big difference between Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor. Seb Coe will be officially instated as Chancellor at our Summer Graduation ceremonies in July.

What does a Chancellor do?

Our Chancellor is the figurehead and chief ambassador of the University, presiding over ceremonial functions and conferring degrees on graduates at our graduation ceremonies. Lord Coe takes over the role of Chancellor from Sir Nigel Rudd, who stepped down last year.

Why Seb Coe?

Seb is one of the world’s most high profile sportsmen and one of our most illustrious alumni. He graduated from Loughborough in 1979 with a BSc in Economics and Social History and has been a close friend to the University ever since. In 2012, Lord Coe was appointed as a Pro-Chancellor, a member of University Council.

During his athletics career Lord Coe set 12 world records and at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games he won Gold in the 1500m and Silver in the 800m, a feat that he repeated in Los Angeles four years later. He retired from competitive athletics in 1990.

Lord Coe went on to head up the successful London bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and was Chairman of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. He was also Chairman of the British Olympic Committee in the lead up to and during the unprecedented medal success of Team GB at the Rio Olympic Games.