Robin joined the University in June 2012 with responsibility for all central professional, administrative and support services other than Finance Services. During her tenure, the professional services have strengthened their focus on continuous improvement in the quality of the services that support both the staff and student experiences. She has placed considerable focus on the importance of partnership working with academic colleagues and, under her leadership, most parts of the professional services have been restructured to ensure that they are optimally positioned to deliver the University’s strategic objectives.
Robin has made a significant contribution to the University as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Senate and the Board of Trustees. She has played a major role in helping shape the new University Strategy and has been instrumental in championing the importance of professional development for all staff.
Outside of higher education, Robin is a member of the Board of Trustees of both London Marathon Events Limited and Young Bristol, a local charity that supports youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. She has also raised thousands of pounds for various charities through her long-distance running.
The process to appoint Robin’s successor as Registrar and Chief Operating Officer will begin shortly, with Robin remaining in post until the end of September 2018.
Commenting on Ms Geller’s departure, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, Professor Hugh Brady, said: “Robin joined the University with considerable experience from her previous roles at Roehampton and McGill universities, and her time in government and industry. Under Robin’s leadership, all aspects of the professional services have been transformed. She leaves us with stronger, more effective and widely respected professional support services. Personally, I will miss her wise counsel and her enormous energy and enthusiasm for this University.”
Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, Mr Denis Burn, said: “Robin has served as an outstanding Registrar and Chief Operating Officer during a period of exceptional change for the sector and for this University. She has created an environment in which our professional services staff can better support our academics and realise the opportunities presented by changes in the sector. Her leadership in reforming our governance structures has been invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for all her work.”
Commenting on her forthcoming departure, Robin Geller said it had been a tremendous privilege to help lead the University of Bristol through a period of significant growth and achievements.
“Our University is a remarkable place, and I have been fortunate to work with so many gifted and supportive academic and professional services colleagues. I want to particularly thank the senior leadership of the professional services, an immensely talented and hard-working group of individuals who have supported me and helped to make this job so rewarding. I am very proud to have been part of this University and to have been given the opportunity to support the incredible work we do – work that impacts our local, national and international community."