New Rector confirmed

Steve Morrison has been confirmed as the new Rector of the University.

Mr Morrison, an alumnus of the University, is a TV producer and broadcaster.

He took 2666 votes in the Rectorial Election, winning 62 per cent of the total vote. He beat off a challenge from the serving rector, Peter McColl.

Video

I am delighted that the University of Edinburgh’s staff and students have supported my vision for the future of education and will bring it to life in the modern world. I will do everything I can to repay their trust. Edinburgh is a great university.

Time at the University

Mr Morrison came to Edinburgh in 1965 to read Politics and holds both an undergraduate degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science from the University.

He was the first student to run for Rector in 1969.

Mr Morrison currently sits on the advisory board of the Edinburgh College of Art.

Biography

After university, Mr Morrison attended the National Film and Television School and joined Granada Television in 1974. He formed Granada Film, which won two Oscars with My Left Foot.

He later became the Director of Programmes and then Chief Executive of Granada. He left to found All3Media, Britain’s largest independent TV production group employing hundreds of staff.

I am from the US, so I voted for Steve because he made it clear that he will back international student issues and listen to them. The Rector is an important role. It is the voice of the students and staff in the University.

Mr Morrison was instrumental in the formation of the campaign group Third World First, which went on to become the anti-poverty organisation People and Planet.

We are delighted to welcome Steve Morrison as the next Rector of the University of Edinburgh and look forward to working with him.