Dr Rich is currently Registrar and Secretary of the University of Essex, a post which he has held since 1999. At Essex he played a key role in the establishment of a new campus in Southend and, in partnership with the University of East Anglia, the creation of University Campus Suffolk.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Eric Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol said: “I am delighted at Dr Rich’s appointment which comes at one of the most crucial times in our sector. The University of Bristol is very well placed to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and Dr Rich will play a key role in the University’s on-going success.”
Dr Rich said: “The University of Bristol is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the Higher Education crown and I am proud to have the opportunity to contribute to its continued trajectory as a globally leading university.”
Dr Rich, who will be a member of the University’s senior management team and will report to the Vice-Chancellor, is currently a member of Colchester 2020, the Local Strategic Partnership and Renaissance Southend Ltd, the town’s urban regeneration company.
He is also a member of the Governing Body of Colchester Institute; a member of the Partnership Board responsible for the creation of a new £25m Arts Centre in Colchester; and was formerly a member of the (NHS) Essex Workforce Development Confederation Board.
Previously he was Academic Registrar at the University of East Anglia (UEA) where he played a key role in establishing the partnership between UEA and Suffolk College and the incorporation of the Norfolk School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Dr Rich studied at the University of Manchester where he took a PhD in African politics. He then worked for the Longman Group and the universities of Warwick and Sheffield.