The University of Bristol's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Eric Thomas, has received a major award. 

The Chief Executive Leadership in Europe award was presented by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education at the CASE Europe Annual Conference in Edinburgh.

The CEO Awards recognise outstanding leaders for taking exceptional initiative to promote and support education.

Nominees must show excellent skills in articulating their vision and leading others to achieve it and must actively participate in the university's fund-raising, alumni relations, communications and marketing efforts.

Professor Eric Thomas has taken the lead in establishing in the UK a new framework for philanthropy in relation to higher education.

His report of the DfES Task Force on Voluntary Giving to Universities, published last year, has had a galvanising effect on universities' relations with friends and alumni and on their commitment to a professional basis for development operations.

"Eric Thomas has helped to make educational philanthropy seen for what it is - necessary, honourable and possible," commented Joanna Motion, CASE's Vice-President for International Operations.

"He has become a committed champion of development and alumni relations within the University of Bristol and an energetic ambassador for the importance of the function in the wider community."

Professor Thomas said: "I have much respect for CASE Europe, and its Chief Executive Leadership Award means a lot to me. Universities are big, complex and important and they need effective leadership.

"Having said that, a leader is only as good as his or her team and I am privileged to work with many outstanding people at Bristol, on the Government Task Force and more widely."