We are most grateful to Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice Chancellor, the University of Edinburgh who provided a Foreword to the book from which the following two extracts are taken.
“Fellow university leaders have occasionally commented to me in recent years, especially when we are in the middle of managing some new existential crisis: “there is no instruction manual for these jobs, is there?” Well, perhaps there now is, at least for some of the issues surrounding transitions into the role or between analogous roles: this book fills a gap and is well-intentioned, informative, balanced and constructive”
Professor Peter Mathieson
“I particularly like the fact that the book is openly intended not only to be valuable to those fortunate enough to lead universities, but also to those who hire (and fire) them, those that work directly with them and those that work in other capacities in the organisations that they lead. The role of a university leader is often lonely and sometimes seems thankless. This book can be a useful companion”
Professor Peter Mathieson