New Chair for Ravensbourne

MEDIA STATEMENT

22 September 2010

For immediate release

Lord Falconer of Thoroton announced as Ravensbourne’s new Chair of Governors

Ravensbourne, a leading London university sector college innovating in digital media and design is delighted to announce the appointment of Lord Charles Falconer as its new Chair of Governors. His role will begin in March 2011.

Lord Charles Falconer is a Labour peer, QC and has held senior positions in the Labour Government, most recently as Lord Chancellor and then Secretary of State for Justice. His considerable political and legal experience, together with his outstanding leadership and governance skills will bring enormous value to Ravensbourne.

Lord Falconer’s appointment falls at a critical time for Ravensbourne, as it undergoes major strategic change and opens its new state of the art campus at Greenwich Peninsula later this month.

Lord Falconer successfully negotiated the legacy of the millennium exhibition that has resulted in the international venue The O₂, and is a key player in the regeneration of East London. As Chair of the Thames Gateway London Partnership, Lord Falconer is ideally placed to help strengthen Ravensbourne’s profile and position in the Thames Gateway especially in the growing digital infrastructure resulting from the capital investment driven by developments such as Canary Wharf, the Olympics and the Greenwich Peninsula.

Lord Falconer says of his appointment:

“I am delighted that in March 2011 I will become the Chair of Ravensbourne, an institution which has achieved so much under the leadership of Director Professor Robin Baker, and current Chair of Governors, Julian Woolfson. Ravensbourne is about to move to a stunning new home at Greenwich Peninsula, right beside the river and The O₂. It is the lead in teaching and promoting digital media skills, and all aspects of design. The combination of its new home and its talented work force and student body means Ravensbourne in Greenwich is going to become a leading player in developing media and design skills for all of London, and beyond. It will be a significant contributor to the growth of the Thames Gateway. I am so pleased to be involved.”

Julian Woolfson OBE, outgoing Ravensbourne Chairman says:

“Charles Falconer’s appointment falls at a crucial time for Ravensbourne, as it undergoes major strategic change, and adjusts to the tough times we find ourselves in, particularly in Higher Education. Ravensbourne is well placed to provide continuing strong leadership to face the increasing political and financial pressures ahead. Lord Falconer is the ideal person to ensure this next period of Ravensbourne’s development.”

/ENDS

For more information please contact:

Jill Hogan

Head of Marketing and Communications

Ravensbourne

07912 999312

j.hogan@rave.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

Ravensbourne is a world-class digital destination developing talented individuals and leading-edge businesses through learning, skills, applied research, enterprise and innovation.

It is a university sector college innovating in digital media and design, with a vocationally focused portfolio of courses, spanning fashion, television and broadcasting, interactive product design, architecture and environment design, graphic design, animation, moving image, music production for media and sound design. It is a centre of excellence, industry accredited and a Skillset Media Academy. It has a community of approximately 1,400 students.

In September 2010 Ravensbourne relocates from Chislehurst to Greenwich Peninsula into a purpose built, state-of-the-art building which will offer collaborative work spaces, resources for networking, high-tech creative suites and wi-fi access throughout. The building will be as much as destination for creative professionals and businesses as it is for students, and is built to the highest environmental standards as part of Ravensbourne’s strategy to minimise its carbon footprint.

The building will house a double-height HDTV studio with 6 channel capacity, moving lights, full autocue and green screen capability, alongside a second studio (4 channel) with virtual studio capability. It will also house a gallery with a studio mixer, a lighting desk and moving lights control. The building’s central Atrium can be converted into one large HD studio. Additionally there will be a digital post production studio with surround sound suites.

www.rave.ac.uk