News | Friday, 12th August 2016
Tributes paid to the Duke of Westminster
Remembering the University’s first Chancellor
The University has paid tribute to its former Chancellor, His Grace The Duke of Westminster, who sadly passed away this week.
Major-General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster, KG, CB, CVO, OBE, TD, CD, DL, served as the first Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University from 1993 to 2002.
The Duke was an integral part of the team that helped Manchester Metropolitan transform and grow during its formative years as a university.
He was committed to higher education and also served as Chancellor of the University of Keele and was the serving Chancellor of the University of Chester.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of His Grace The Duke of Westminster.
“The Duke played an integral role at Manchester Metropolitan, and is warmly remembered by all who had the opportunity to work alongside him and benefit from his invaluable leadership.
“The loss is felt by all within Manchester Metropolitan and the Duke remains a treasured member of our University family having served with distinction for nine years.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences.”
The Duke led an international property group and supported numerous charities, alongside his work within higher education.
He was a member of The Prince’s Council of the Duchy of Cornwall and was President of the RNIB for 25 years, President of the St John Ambulance for 10 years and President of the NSPCC North West Full Stop Appeal.
The Duke was also a Patron of The Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London’s Air Ambulance and Arthritis Care.
Through his charitable trust, the Westminster Foundation, the Duke worked to alleviate social deprivation and its impact on young people. The Foundation concentrates on issues surrounding poverty in the UK and this year focused on supporting communities and alleviating youth homelessness.
The Duke also supported a range of military charities and he chaired the Nuffield Trust for the Armed Forces. The Duke supported rural issues through organisations such as The Prince’s Countryside Fund, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Atlantic Salmon Trust.
Since 2009, the Duke pursued an initiative to create a Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre to develop a clinical rehabilitation facility for the armed forces and the nation. He personally led the fundraising.
