Professor Colin Bailey, currently Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at The University of Manchester and a leading researcher in structural engineering, will take up the post on 1 September 2017, following the retirement of Professor Simon Gaskell in August 2017.

Professor Colin Bailey

Chairman of Queen Mary Council, Sir Nicholas Montagu, commented: “Colin Bailey is a stellar appointment for Queen Mary. I am confident he will provide the inspirational leadership and vision needed to take the university along its continuing upward trajectory, whilst embracing the core values that have made QMUL the institution it is today, and building on Simon Gaskell's outstanding achievements as President and Principal."

Professor Bailey began his career as an apprentice draughtsman. He worked for a number of design consultants supervising the construction of a variety of building structures, before studying for a degree and PhD at the University of Sheffield. After completing his PhD he returned to industry to work for the Steel Construction Institute and the Building Research Establishment, where his practical and research experience resulted in significant developments in structural engineering.

He joined The University of Manchester in 2002 as Professor of Structural Engineering, and became Head of the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at Manchester in 2007. He was then appointed Vice-President of the University and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering in 2009, before becoming Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor in 2014.

His leadership achievements at Manchester include the launch of a number of high profile research projects, such as the BP International Centre for Advanced Materials, The National Graphene Institute (£61m) and The Sir Henry Royce Institute (£283m).

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Bailey said: “I am extremely proud and honoured to join Queen Mary University of London, a global institution with a strong track record of world-leading research, excellent teaching and learning, coupled with a genuine commitment to widening access, public engagement and regional development. I look forward to working with the Council, staff, students, alumni and all stakeholders of the university to continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, address the global challenges facing society and to ensure our graduates have the breadth of skills and experience to succeed in an ever-changing world.”

Lord Clement-Jones, who is expected to be confirmed as Chairman of QMUL’s Council from August, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we have secured a new Principal of Colin Bailey's calibre. His track record is ideally suited to take Queen Mary through the next stage of its development and I am looking forward enormously to working with him in the years ahead."

Professor Bailey is author of more than 120 research papers and practical design guides, and has been awarded nine prizes for his research work. His main specialties are fire safety engineering of structures, membrane action, wind loading and steel-concrete composite systems. He has also been involved in the structural fire design of number of iconic buildings in London including the Shard, Heron Tower and the Leadenhall Building.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers.