Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Hugh Brady

Professor Hugh Brady became Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bristol in September 2015.

A graduate of University College Dublin (UCD), Professor Brady trained in general medicine and nephrology, and was awarded PhD and MD degrees for research in renal physiology and molecular medicine, respectively. His academic career as a physician-scientist included positions at Harvard Medical School, the University of Toronto and UCD. He is an international authority on the pathogenesis of renal inflammation and diabetic kidney disease.

Since coming to Bristol, Professor Brady has led an institution-wide strategic planning process which yielded a new Vision and Strategy for the University. A central theme of the plan is the re-imagining of the civic university for the 21st century. Highlights of the new strategic plan include:

• Bristol Futures curriculum initiative;
• Bristol Scholars widening participation programme;
• Vice-Chancellor’s Fellowship programme;
• Specialist Research Institutes and major investment in the University’s IT and capital infrastructure - including:
• Redevelopment of the centre of the University’s Clifton Campus and the establishment of the new;
• Temple Quater Enterprise Campus in the heart of the City of Bristol, adjacent to Brunel’s iconic Temple Meads Station.

Professor Brady served as President of UCD from 2004-13. He has held a number of other leadership roles, including membership of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority, Chairman of the Irish Universities Association and Chairman of the Universitas 21 Network of global research universities. He is a non-executive director of Kerry Group plc and ICON plc and serves on the Board of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science from the Queen’s University Belfast, an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Anaesthetists in Ireland and the Robert Menzies Medal from the University of Melbourne.

• Date of birth: 9 August 1959
• Place of birth: Dublin, Ireland
• Marital status: Married with three children

Education, degrees and diplomas

• 1982 M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., UCD, National University of Ireland
• 1984 B.Sc. Pharmacology, UCD, National University of Ireland
• 1985 M.R.C.P.I., Royal College of Physicians, Ireland
• 1991 F.R.C.P.I., Royal College of Physicians, Ireland
• 1992 Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, USA
• 1993 Ph.D., Physiology, UCD, National University of Ireland
• 1993 Diplomate, American Board of Nephrology, USA
• 1994 M.D., UCD, National University of Ireland

Employment and appointments

• 2015 – Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Bristol
• 2014 - 2015 Professor of Medicine and Healthcare Strategy and President Emeritus, UCD
• 2004 - 2013 President and Chief Officer, UCD
• 2000 – 2003 Head of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, UCD
• 1999 - 2000 Director, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, UCD
• 1999 - 2001 Associate Dean of Research, Faculty of Medicine, UCD
• 1996 - 2003 Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics, UCD and Mater Misericordiae
• 1994 - 1996 Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School University Hospital
• 1991 - 1994 Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
• 1989 - 1991 Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School
• 1993 - 1996 Chief, Renal Section, Brockton-West Roxbury VA Medical Center, Boston
• 1990 - 1996 Attending Physician, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston
• 1987 - 1989 Fellow, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
• 1986 - 1987 Clinical Fellow, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• 1982 - 1986 Intern/Senior House Officer, St. Vincent’s and St. Laurence’s Hospital, Dublin

Committees, boards and organisations

University College Dublin

• 1999 - 2000 Member, Faculty of Medicine Executive
• 2001 - 2003 Member, President’s Research Committee
• 2002 - 2003 Member, Conway Institute, Board of Management
• 2003 - 2004 Director, Dublin Molecular Medicine Centre
• 2004 - 2013 Director, UCD Foundation
• 2004 - 2013 Member, UCD Governing Authority

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

• 1998 - 2000 Member, Medical Executive
• 1999 - 2003 Chairman, Mater College for Postgraduate Research and Education
• 2000 - 2003 Member, Board of Management

National

• 1997 - 2002 Member, Health Research Board of Ireland
• 1997 - 1999 Member, Expert Advisory Panel, Irish Medicines Board
• 1997 - 2003 Member, Irish Committee on Higher Medical Training
• 2001 - 2003 President, Irish Nephrological Society
• 2001 - 2003 Member, Higher Education Authority
• 2003 - 2003 Chairman, Health Research Board of Ireland
• 2004 - 2013 Pro-Vice-Chancellor, National University of Ireland
• 2009 - 2010 Member, National Innovation Taskforce
• 2010 - 2013 Member, Oversight Committee, National Innovation Fund
• 2010 - 2011 Vice-Chancellor, National University of Ireland
• 2012 - 2013 Board Member, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training

International

• 1997 - 2003 Coordinating Committee European - Japanese Nephrology Forum
• 2002 - 2003 Scientific Programme Committee, ERA-EDTA/EKRA
• 2002 - 2003 Scientific Programme Committee, American Society of Nephrology
• 2002 - 2003 American Society of Nephrology Taskforce on Acute Renal Failure
• 2009 - 2012 Executive Committee, Universitas 21 University Network
• 2012 - 2013 Chairman, Universitas 21 University Network

Corporate

• 2013 – Member, PwC (Ireland), Public Interest Board
• 2014 – Non-Executive Director, Kerry Group plc
• 2014 – Non-Executive Director, ICON plc

Research (pre-2004)

Research interests

• Molecular components of pro-resolution pathways in inflammation
• Genomic approaches to the identification of molecular drivers of renal disease
• Pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease

Summary of publications

• Total: 169
• Peer-reviewed research publications: 101
• Review articles: 38
• Book chapters: 27
• Book Editorships: 3

Teaching and learning roles (pre-2004)

• 1983 - 1984 Lecturer in Pharmacology, UCD Medical School
• 1990 - 1996 Tutor, New Pathway Program, Harvard Medical School
• 1993 - 1996 Course Co-Director, Harvard Department of Continuing Medical Education: Contemporary Issues in Nephrology
• 1994 - 1996 Course Co-Director, Harvard Department of Continuing Medical Education: Recent Advances in Renal Diseases
• 1996 - 2003 Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics, UCD
• 2000 - 2003 Head of Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, UCD
• 1996 - 2003 Board of Undergraduate Studies, UCD Medical School
• 1999 - 2003 Irish Committee for Higher Medical Training
• 2000 - 2003 Project Leader, McAuley Education and Research Centre

Licensure and certification

• 1982 Medical License, Irish Medical Council
• 1985 Member, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI)
• 1986 Educational License, College of Physicians, Ontario, Canada
• 1987 Medical License, Board of Registration in Medicine, MA, USA
• 1991 Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (FRCPI)
• 1992 Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine, USA
• 1993 Diplomate, American Board of Nephrology, USA

Membership of professional societies

• 1985 – Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
• 1988 - 2004 American Heart Association, Kidney Council
• 1988 - 2004 American Society of Nephrology
• 1992 - 2004 International Society of Nephrology
• 1993 - 2004 National Kidney Foundation, USA
• 1997 - 2004 Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland
• 2002 - 2004 Academy of Medical Sciences (Fellow), UK
• 2009 – Royal Irish Academy

Honorary Degree, Fellowships and awards

• 2007 Life Sciences Award, Biolink, USA-Ireland
• 2008 Honorary Fellowship, Royal College of Anaesthetists of Ireland
• 2008 Honorary Doctor of Science, Queen’s University Belfast
• 2010 Distinguished Graduate Award, UCD Medical Graduates Association
• 2012 Robert Menzies Medal, University of Melbourne

The University of Bristol is a leading research intensive UK university, ranked within the top 50 universities in the world. The University is a major driver of prosperity in the region and, in accordance with its charitable mission, delivers a public benefit to its students and to British society. In a very competitive market for the best talent, it is essential that the University of Bristol offers a competitive remuneration package that allows it to attract an outstanding Vice-Chancellor to lead this diverse and complex organisation of 22,000 students, over 6000 staff and an income of over £500 million.

The current Vice-Chancellor is Professor Hugh Brady, whose salary is set and reviewed annually by the Remuneration Committee of the Board of Trustees, on behalf of the Board. The Remuneration Committee is comprised primarily of independent lay members of the Board. For further information, please see the terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee. The Vice-Chancellor is not a member of the Remuneration Committee and is not present when his remuneration, including salary and other benefits, is being considered or decided upon.

In reviewing the Vice-Chancellor’s salary the Remuneration Committee considers a number of factors taking account of performance, general pay movement for all University staff, retention, and any relevant market considerations. The latter is informed by salary survey information provided by the Committee of University Chairs.

With effect from 1 August 2019 the Remuneration Committee awarded Professor Brady a pay increase and he currently receives an annual salary of £300,000. There are no additional bonus arrangements. The Vice-Chancellor is entitled to membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) but has elected to receive payment in lieu of pension contributions, currently £39,000 per annum; a sum derived from the employer’s contribution rate in USS and which is provided on a basis that is cost neutral to the University.

Professor Brady is required to live in the Vice-Chancellor’s official residence which is extensively used for hosting a varied annual programme of formal and informal University engagement and fundraising events with our alumni, supporters, partners and philanthropic benefactors. He is also required to travel extensively in the UK and internationally to raise the University's profile in a competitive Higher Education market place, broker partnerships with leading institutions, contribute to the international student recruitment activities, and to maintain and extend the University’s worldwide network of alumni and major donors.

Updated November 2020

The Vice-Chancellor holds a number of external non-executive advisory roles, compliant with the University’s policies on external work. ‌

The Vice-Chancellor is a Member of the Chancellor’s Giving Circle at the University of Bristol