Steve Smith is one of the big beasts of HE. A former Universities UK President, current Chair of UCAS and something of an ambassador-at-large for the sector, Smith enjoys navigating the worlds of policy and politics and is better connected than most vice chancellors. The University of Exeter has come on in leaps and bounds under his tenure, though he has a reputation for being ruthlessness in management.
Although Exeter may not be in the top part of the Russell Group, Smith’s personal leadership allows it to punch above its weight in the sector. He’s tipped to be the next Chair of the Russell Group itself – something that would be quite an achievement given Exeter is one of the recent joiners (sniffed at by some), but it’s about the last job he hasn’t held and his connections and political nous would make him a compelling candidate to steer the Group to badly-needed fresh waters.