THE Vice Chancellor of the University of the West of England (UWE) has been named the 45th most influential person in higher education and the 10th most influential UK Vice Chancellor on a higher education power list.


Professor Steve West, Vice Chancellor of UWE, has been granted the titles on the 2015 Higher Education Power List, compiled for the first time, by an independent panel of higher education experts through companies Wonkhe Ltd and Linstock.


The list shows who has the most influence in the sector and who will be instrumental in shaping its future.


Professor West said: “It is critical for Vice Chancellors to be visible and active taking up key posts on lobbying groups and engaging with the wider community. My role as chairperson of the university alliance has placed me on the national stage and provided me with access to the top decision makers in the land.


“I was also third most influential business leader across the South West this year due to my role as CBI regional chair and president of Business West. I believe that it is crucial that universities are seen to be connecting and influencing businesses as well as communities and politicians.


"It's about bridge building and creating new opportunities for growth.”


Mark Leach, founder, director and editor of Wonkhe Ltd, said: “Putting this together has been a fascinating process.


“There is of course no scientific way to measure power, so the best we could do was assemble an excellent collection of higher education observers and thrash it out – both a framework for decision-making as well as the names and their placement.”