UCEM appoints a new Chair of the Board of Trustees
Posted on: 10 February, 2025
UCEM is delighted to announce that its new Chair of the Board of Trustees will be Peter McCrea OBE with effect from 3 February 2025. Peter takes over the role from Amanda Clack who stands down after 4 years as Chair of the Board and 6 years in total as a Trustee.
About Peter
Peter joined UCEM’s Board of Trustees in May 2024. He is a Chartered Surveyor and salaried full-time Surveyor Member of the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). He has over 20 years’ experience in regulation, standards and governance and was selected for the role following tough competition in an independent recruitment process held through Autumn 2024.
Peter was previously Chair of the Board of LionHeart (the surveyors’ benevolent charity) for six years. He was awarded an OBE in June 2024 for services to the profession of Chartered Surveyors and in 2024 also received the RICS Lifetime Achievement Award. His connections with UCEM began some 20 years ago when he was awarded a Diploma in Arbitration. He also became a UCEM Honorary Fellow in 2020.
Peter commented: “It was a huge honour to be appointed Chair of UCEM, at an extremely exciting time for the university. On behalf of the whole board, I extend our grateful thanks to Amanda for her massive contribution to UCEM’s journey during her four years as Chair. We will build on the milestones achieved under her leadership, as we look towards an exciting future for the university.”
UCEM Vice Chancellor, Ashley Wheaton, said: “I am delighted to welcome Peter as our new Chair of the Board of Trustees. In the short time he has been a part of our Board, Peter has gained a comprehensive understanding of the institution and played an active role in shaping UCEM’s Strategic Plan, which he will now lead as Chair. His appointment is testament to his exceptional experience in the built environment, throughout a highly distinguished career. I look forward to collaborating with Peter in bringing our exciting vision for the future to life, as we strive to become the centre of excellence for built environment education. I am confident that he will do an excellent job of supporting UCEM as we continue to move forward.”
Ashley further commented: “I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Amanda for her dedication, expertise and unwavering support over her past six years on the Board. As Chair, she has shown extraordinary commitment, guiding the institution through some key phases of our development, including securing Indefinite Degree Awarding Powers and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amanda can look back on her time at UCEM with immense pride, knowing that she has helped position the institution for continued success, long into the future. She will be greatly missed by all of us at UCEM, but I know that she will continue to promote and support us in every way possible.”
Outgoing Chair, Amanda Clack, added: “It is always hard as Chair of Trustees to leave behind something you have seen go from strength to strength and believe in passionately, but I am thrilled UCEM is in the best possible health with a bright future ahead. I am so delighted that I could not have left UCEM in better, or more capable hands than with Peter McCrea as my successor. I have known Peter for nearly twenty years and absolutely trust he will build on the legacy, but more importantly take UCEM on to even greater heights in the future. It has been a privilege to serve the university as Chair, and I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Vice Chancellor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Executive Team and all the staff for their unwavering support, the Board of Trustees who give their time tirelessly and are truly amazing, and our incredible students, all of whom study in all corners of the world whilst they are working.
“Built environment careers are critical to develop our future world, and I wish UCEM and Peter every success as they continue the journey to truly become the centre of excellence for built environment education.”
