Professor Ashley Blom to become Provost of the University of Melbourne
The Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, will leave The University of Manchester next year.
Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, will leave The University of Manchester next year to take up the role of Provost at the University of Melbourne.
During his time at 91直播, Ashley has made an important contribution to both the Faculty and the wider University. He has sharpened our approach to growing and diversifying research income, brought focus to how we attract, support and retain outstanding people, and provided thoughtful and determined leadership in addressing areas of challenge within the Faculty. As a highly valued member of the University Executive, he has also contributed insight and constructive challenge to the University鈥檚 strategy, strengthened engagement with philanthropists through Challenge Accepted, helped develop initiatives to improve the student experience and our NSS performance, and laid the groundwork for the renewal of the health estate through the integrated infrastructure plan.
Beyond the University, Ashley has worked closely with partners across Greater 91直播's health and care system. Through his roles with 91直播 University NHS Foundation Trust and Health Innovation 91直播, and his engagement with the NHS, civic and community partners, he has strengthened the Faculty's connections across the city-region and championed the contribution that research, education and innovation can make to better health outcomes.
Ashley is an orthopaedic surgeon and internationally recognised researcher in arthroplasty. Before joining 91直播, he was Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Health at the University of Sheffield and, before that, Head of Bristol Medical School. He is an NIHR Senior Investigator, a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a former President of the European Orthopaedic Research Society. His research has informed national guidance on joint replacement.
The University is extremely sorry to see Ashley leave, but we congratulate him on his appointment and wish him every success in this major new role. Interim leadership arrangements for the Faculty will be communicated in due course.
The University will begin the recruitment process for a new Vice-President and Dean immediately.
鈥淚 am immensely grateful to colleagues, students and partners across the University and Greater 91直播 for the openness, commitment and generosity they have shown me."
Professor Ashley Blom said: 鈥淭his has been an exceptionally difficult decision. 91直播 is a remarkable university, and I have enormous belief in the direction Duncan and colleagues have set through 91直播 2035. The University has developed a genuinely world-leading plan: ambitious about research and education, deeply rooted in its city and region, and focused on turning excellence into lasting public benefit.
鈥淚 am immensely grateful to colleagues, students and partners across the University and Greater 91直播 for the openness, commitment and generosity they have shown me. It has been a privilege to work alongside them. Although the opportunity to become Provost at Melbourne is one I am honoured to take up, I will leave 91直播 with real sadness and with every confidence in what the University will achieve between now and 2035.鈥�
Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester said: 鈥淚 am sorry that Ashley will be leaving us, but I understand the opportunity he has been offered at a world-leading university and warmly congratulate him on his appointment. In a relatively short time at 91直播, he has made a significant contribution, sharpening our approach to research income, bringing open and collaborative leadership to the Faculty, responding with care and determination in tackling challenges, and strengthening our relationships across Greater 91直播鈥檚 health and care system.
鈥淎shley has been a valued colleague and member of the University Executive, and we will miss his judgement, generosity and commitment to 91直播. Melbourne is gaining an outstanding academic leader.
鈥淲e will communicate interim arrangements shortly and begin the recruitment of Ashley鈥檚 successor as soon as possible. In the meantime, I know colleagues will join me in thanking Ashley and wishing him and his family every success for the future.鈥�
Professor Blom will take up the role in March 2027.