Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons is to become the first chancellor of Bath Spa University.
The chancellor is a ceremonial figurehead and the Brideshead Revisited and Reversal of Fortune star will play an important ambassadorial role for the university.
An investiture ceremony will take place in the autumn when Jeremy Irons, pictured, will formally be installed as Chancellor.
Bath Spa University vice-chancellor Professor Christina Slade said: “Creativity is at the heart of Bath Spa University. Through his vast experience in the arts Jeremy Irons will bring unique insight to the university and influence our vision to be the leading university for creativity, culture and enterprise.
“I look forward to working closely with Mr Irons in his new role and the opportunities this new relationship will afford the University.”
The university offers a wide range of courses across the arts, sciences, education, social science and business to 7,000 students,
Jeremy Irons has a long and illustrious career in film, television and theatre. He trained at the Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol and first performed on stage in 1969. He has appeared in numerous productions in both the West End of London and on Broadway winning a Tony Award for Best Actor for his role in The Real Thing in 1984.
His performance in TV series Brideshead Revisited earned him his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor and he won a further Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Emmy Award for his performance in Elizabeth I.
His numerous film credits include Kafka, Dead Ringers, Lolita, The Man in the Iron Mask, The Lion King, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Reversal of Fortune for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
He said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been elected the first chancellor of Bath Spa University. I look forward to playing a part in the university’s growing success and international renown.
“Being a believer in the importance of integrated education I am delighted to see the education and research happening at Bath Spa moving in this direction. Having been educated at Sherborne, trained and apprenticed at the Bristol Old Vic including a run at the Theatre Royal Bath it feels right for me to accept this role.
“I hope that my international visibility will be a further aid in attracting students from both this country and overseas.”
