Dr. Sir Steve Smith has been Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter (UK) since October 2002. He was previously Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) and Professor of International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, as well as Head of the Department of International Politics, and Director of the Centre for Public Choice Studies at the University of East Anglia.

Professor Smith is currently Chair of the Board member of the Russell Group; UCAS Board; Chair of UUK’s International Policy Network and Chair of UUK’s International Strategic Advisory Board; Member of the UUK Board etc. He was also the President of Universities UK (UUK) – the representative body for the executive heads of UK universities – from 2009-2011.

Sir Steve Smoth was knighted in the 2011 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to higher education nationally and locally.