Study Abroad: University Of Strathclyde Appoints New Principal

Professor McArthur is appointed as the new Principal of the University of Strathclyde, effective August 31, 2025.

The University of Strathclyde has announced the appointment of Professor Stephen McArthur as its new Principal & Vice-Chancellor.

He will take up this new role on August 31, 2025, when the existing Principal Professor Sir Jim McDonald will step down. He is currently serving as the Associate Principal and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Strathclyde.

While commenting on his appointment, Professor McArthur said, “It is an honour and a privilege to be appointed as the next Principal of the University. Over many years, I have experienced my colleagues’ dedication to delivering an outstanding student experience, underpinned by high-quality research that delivers impact across business, industry and the third sector.  I am looking forward to building on our successes and continuing to deliver the education, research and innovation that modern society requires, both at home and internationally.”

About University Of Strathclyde's New Principal

He is a Distinguished Professor of Intelligent Systems and a two-time graduate of the University of Strathclyde. Professor Stephen McArthur's expertise lies in the field of artificial intelligence in energy and power systems. He is a board member of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland and Scottish Enterprise. Professor McArthur is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Professor McArthur is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Bellrock Technology, which is a University of Strathclyde’s spinout company to support the rapid and effective deployment of AI and data analytics products, intelligent systems, and services across industry sectors including rail transport, healthcare and energy.

For his extraordinary contributions in industrial systems engineering for “innovative contributions to the advancement of intelligent systems for power engineering applications”, he won the IEEE Richard Harold Kaufmann Award in 2021.

Dame Sue Bruce, Convener of the University Court, Strathclyde’s governing body, said, “I am delighted to announce Professor McArthur’s appointment as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde. His appointment follows an extensive, exhaustive and competitive recruitment process which saw a number of highly qualified and exceptional candidates evaluated and interviewed, from which Professor McArthur stood out.”

“He brings an outstanding record of achievement both as an academic and a leader and articulated an exciting vision for the University. Over the course of his career, he has clearly demonstrated strategic thinking and the leadership qualities that will help Strathclyde to continue in its mission as a leading international technological University, that is socially progressive. The Court also wishes to record its appreciation for Sir Jim's leadership over the past 16 years, during which he has overseen major transformation, strengthening and successful repositioning of the University of Strathclyde,” added Dame Sue Bruce.

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