2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election

2026 University of St Andrews Chancellor election
16–22 February 2026 (2026-02-16 – 2026-02-22)
 
Candidate Anne Pringle The Lord Sedwill
Final stage 2,643 (54.4%) 2,215 (45.6%)
Second stage 1,812 (35.6%) 1,807 (35.5%)
First stage 1,601 (30.7%) 1,619 (31.2%)
 
Candidate Barbara Woodward Alexandra Walmsley
Final stage Eliminated Eliminated
Second stage 1,475 (29.0%) Eliminated
First stage 1,251 (24.0%) 739 (14.2%)
Chancellor before election

The Lord Campbell of Pittenweem

 Elected Chancellor

Dame Anne Pringle

The 2026 University of St Andrews election for the position of Chancellor became necessary upon the death of the incumbent chancellor, Walter Menzies Campbell, Baron Campbell of Pittenweem.[1][2] On 24 February, Dame Anne Pringle was announced as the winner of the election.[3][4]

From the creation of the position in the 1410s until 2026, every Chancellor of St Andrews had been either a peer or an archbishop, with the notable exception of Sir Kenneth Dover.[5] Other previous holders of the post include royals James, Duke of Ross; Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cumberland; and former prime minister Stanley Baldwin. The term of the appointment following the 2026 election will be for ten years, subject to approval by the Privy Council; previous office holders held life tenure.[6]

Electorate and voting

The electorate was made up of members of the General Council which includes: graduates of the university, members and former members of the University Court, professors and former professors, and other senior academic staff.[7]

Following the uncontested election of Menzies Campbell in 2006,[8] this was the first election conducted through electronic voting, using the alternative vote system.[7] Nominations for the position opened on 1 December 2025 and closed on 9 January 2026, with confirmed candidates announced on 26 January. Voting took place in the third week of Candlemas semester between 16 and 22 February 2026.

Candidates

Candidates were not required to have studied or hold a degree from St Andrews in order to stand for the chancellorship; the most recent Chancellor to have studied at the university was George Gledstanes, appointed in 1604. Candidates were eligible to stand if they received nominations from at least 25 members of the General Council, were not employed by the university or a matriculated student, and if their candidacy did not bring the university into disrepute.[7] Four candidates were confirmed to have met the criteria and were announced on 26 January 2026, all of whom are alumni.[9]

Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order:[10]

Name
Degree(s) from St Andrews 		Current and former roles Notes Campaign
Dame Anne Pringle[11]
Hon. LL.D., 2022
M.A. French and German, 1977 		Former British Ambassador to Russia and British Ambassador to the Czech Republic Former Senior Lay Member (Senior Governor) of the University Court[12]
Notable Supporters

– Professor Frances Andrews
– Professor Sharon Ashbrook
– Professor Paul Boyle
– Professor James Naismith
– Professor Stuart Monro
– Catherine Stihler
– Professor Sir David Wallace

Mark Sedwill, Baron Sedwill[13]
Hon. LL.D., 2022
B.Sc. Economics, 1987 		Former Cabinet Secretary and National Security Advisor of the United Kingdom Current Non-Executive Member of the University Court[14] Sedwill for St Andrews
Website
Notable Supporters

General Council Members
– Dame Madeleine Alessandri
– Professor Ali Ansari
– Very Revd Dr Derek Browning
– Sir Ian Diamond
– Sir Michael Fallon
– Lord Forsyth of Drumlean
– Dr Fiona Hill
– Alison Johns
– Sir Andrew Mackenzie
– Professor Ewan McKendrick
– Professor Phillips O'Brien
– Lord Robertson of Port Ellen
– Sir John Rose
– Professor Guy Rowlands
– Professor Christopher Smith
– Lt Gen Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne
– Professor Sir Hew Strachan
– Brian Viner
– Viscount Younger of Leckie
– Sir Alex Younger
– Lt Gen Sir Barney White-Spunner
Other Supporters
– The Lord Gove[15]
– Johnny Mercer[16]
- General David Petraeus
– Sir Julian Smith[17]

Lady Walmsley[18][A]
Ph.D. History, 1998
M.A. History and International Relations, 1993 		Defence, security and nuclear consultant Alex 4 Chancellor
Website
Dame Barbara Woodward[20]
M.A. History, 1983 		Deputy National Security Advisor; Former Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations and British Ambassador to China Barbara Woodward for Chancellor
Website
Notable Supporters
– Professor Colin Ballantyne
– Hans van Mourik Broekman

The St Andrews student newspaper, The Saint, reported that the election could result in the university's first female Chancellor since the 1410s.[21]

On 12 February, the Free Speech Union and Alumni for Free Speech jointly endorsed both Lord Sedwill and Lady Walmsley as strong free speech candidates.[22][23] On 13 February, the working day before voting formally began, The Times named Lord Sedwill as the frontrunner for the position.[24]

Results

7,072 members of the General Council registered to vote in the election and a total of 5,210 votes were cast, for a turnout of 73.6%. Results were announced on 24 February 2026 and were as follows:[4]

Candidate First stage Second stage Final stage
Votes % Votes ± % Votes ± %
Y Anne Pringle 1,601 30.7% 1,812 211 35.6% 2,643 831 54.4%
The Lord Sedwill 1,619 31.1% 1,807 188 35.5% 2,215 408 45.6%
Barbara Woodward 1,251 24.0% 1,475 224 29.0% Eliminated
Alexandra Walmsley 739 14.2% Eliminated
Votes cast 5,210 100% 5,094 116 4,858 236

See also

References

  1. ^ "Former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell dies". Sky News.
  2. ^ "University of St Andrews to elect new Chancellor". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 1 December 2025.
  3. ^ "St Andrews University elects first woman as chancellor in 600 years". The Scotsman. 25 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b "Dame Anne Pringle elected Chancellor of the University of St Andrews". University of St Andrews. 24 February 2026.
  5. ^ "Sir Kenneth Dover". University of St Andrews. 8 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Role Description" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
  7. ^ a b c "Chancellorian Election Rules" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
  8. ^ "Sir Menzies takes university post". BBC News. 22 April 2006.
  9. ^ "Chancellorian Election Timetable" (PDF). General Council of the University of St Andrews.
  10. ^ "Chancellor - About". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  11. ^ "Candidate - Dame Anne Pringle". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  12. ^ "Laureation address Anne Pringle - Graduation - University of St Andrews". University of St Andrews. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Candidate - Lord Mark Sedwill". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  14. ^ "Members of University Court". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
  15. ^ Michael Gove [@michaelgove] (1 February 2026). "A guid choice" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  16. ^ Johnny Mercer [@JohnnyMercerUK] (16 February 2026). "We need better people in public life. St. Andrews has a chance to elect a man of real principle, integrity and character as their Chancellor tomorrow. If you are eligible, please vote for my friend Mark Sedwill" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  17. ^ Julian Smith [@JulianSmithUK] (1 February 2026). "An excellent pick for @univofstandrews - Mark has unrivalled knowledge & experience on multiple civil service, political & national security fronts & would be a very great asset to Scotland's first university" (Tweet) – via X (formerly Twitter).
  18. ^ "Candidate - Lady Alex Walmsley". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  19. ^ Sigsworth, Tim; Dorrington, Jamie (8 April 2024). "Glaxo boss at centre of family feud over death of retired vice-admiral". The Telegraph.
  20. ^ "Candidate - Dame Barbara Woodward". www.st-andrews.ac.uk. University of St Andrews. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  21. ^ Shaw, Sarayah (12 February 2026). "University of St Andrews to Elect New Chancellor by Late February". The Saint.
  22. ^ Smith, Mark (16 February 2026). "Battle has commenced at St Andrews University. Will it go the right way?". The Herald.
  23. ^ "Recommended free speech candidates in St Andrews Chancellorship election" (PDF). Alumni for Free Speech. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  24. ^ Lambert, Georgia (13 February 2026). "Lord Sedwill: Universities cross line to protect Chinese student intake". The Times.

Notes

  1. ^ Lady Walmsley by virtue of her marriage to her late husband[19]
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