P
RUE WAS NOMINATED for the role
of Chancellor given the affinity
of her interests and experience
with the University’s expertise in food
and drink, sustainable business, and
creativity and culture, and well as one
of its key values of social responsibility.
The new Chancellor has an impressive
track record as an entrepreneur having
successfully built a business from scratch
in the 1960s which grew to become Leith’s
Good Food, the party and event caterer.
In 1969, she opened Leith’s, her famous
Michelin starred restaurant, and in 1975,
founded Leith’s School of Food and Wine
which trains professional chefs and amateur
cooks. The group reached a turnover of
£15m in 1993, when she sold out all but
the restaurant, which she went on to sell
in 1995.
For many, Pr ue Leith is the epitome of
classic cookery experts. With her rich
culinary background, she was an obvious
choice for the role of judge on the BBC’s
‘Great British Menu’. Having been involved
with the show from the first screening in
2006, Prue is a regular on our television
screens where she is mainly seen putting
the country’s top chefs under severe scrutiny
in a bid to identify Britain’s finest dishes and
its top culinary talent.
Prue has received no less than eleven
honorary degrees or fellowships from
UK universities, including one from QMU
in 1997. In addition, she was appointed
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
(OBE) in 1989 and Commander of the
Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the
2010 Birthday Honours list. Echoing Queen
Margaret University’s focus on making a
real practical difference to people’s lives,
Prue has a deep-rooted commitment to
social responsibility. As Chair of the RSA,
she has been instrumental in founding and
running many charities including ‘Focus on
Food’, which in partnership with the Soil
Association, set up the Food for Life initiative
which works in schools focusing on cooking
and sustainability.
She has held numerous public
appointments but the one she has
described as the most important of her long
career so far has been her role as Chair of
the School Food Trust (2006 – 2010), the
British Government’s campaign to replace
foods high in salt, sugar and fat with freshly
cooked healthy food. Her passion in this field
prepares her well to act as a figurehead for
QMU’s work in food and drink, including that
of the Scottish Centre for Food Development
and Innovation based at the University.
A champion of education, Prue was a
member of the National Task Force setting
up National Vocational Qualifications. Some
of her other public appointments include
Chair of the Restaurateurs’ Association and
member of a Consumer Debt Commission.
Always an optimist, Prue has strived
throughout her life to make things better.
She has become passionate about the
care and rights of people who are dying
and is involved with the ‘Dignity in Dying’
campaign, believing that much work needs
to be done to improve end of life care. She is
therefore very interested in finding out more
about QMU’s specialist nursing research in
person-centred practice, dementia and the
care of older people.
During the week, Prue mainly works as a
novelist. She has recently completed her
significant entrepreneurial qualities, but
she has also worked hard to help develop
and highlight the UK’s culinary talent, the
importance of good healthy food for all, and
to tackle inequalities. She is therefore an
excellent fit for our work in food and drink,
which dates back to our inception in 1875
when we were established to help improve
the diet of the urban poor.
“Prue is an accomplished public speaker
and writer, and is able to connect with a very
wide audience, through her writing of novels,
her opinion pieces and her passion for good
food. We look forward to her involvement in
a variety of university events. In addition, we
know that she has a keen interest in learning
more about our ground-breaking nursing
research in person-centred practice and
care of older people, and to help enhance
our long established reputation in hospitality
and tourism; business; and food, nutrition
and biological sciences.”
Professor Wend concluded: “Indeed,
Prue Leith has achieved so much in her
varied career, ever adapting to change
and embracing optimism. She is strong,
motivated, entrepreneurial and ambitious,
and will not only be an excellent role model
“Prue Leith’s career and background resonates
deeply with the values and ethos of QMU, as well
as with our flagships in health and rehabilitation;
creativity and culture; and sustainable business.”
seventh novel, and in 2012, published her
memoir ‘Relish: My Life on a Plate’.
Professor Petra Wend, Principal and
Vice-Chancellor of QMU, said: “Prue
Leith’s career and background resonates
deeply with the values and ethos of QMU,
as well as with our flagships in health
and rehabilitation; creativity and culture;
and sustainable business. She is a highly
respected public figure who has strong
beliefs about the importance of education
and in its transformational importance to
society. Much of her life’s work has been
in food and drink, in which she has shown
for our students, but will help Queen
Margaret University with our ambitious plans
to be known as a ‘university of ideas and
influence’.”
Prue takes over the role of Chancellor
from entrepreneur, Sir Tom Farmer, who
was installed as the University’s Founding
Chancellor in 2007 when the institution
was awarded University title. She will be
installed into her new role at our Graduation
ceremony in July, but is already starting to
play a full role in the life of the University,
meeting staff, students and friends of the
University at various events. ❒
QMYOU / New Chancellor
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