James Purnell has resigned as president and vice-chancellor of the University of the Arts London (UAL) following months-long student protests against the university’s stance on the war in Gaza and calls for his resignation.
In a statement posted on UAL’s website yesterday, the university announced that Purnell would be leaving his post in September to become the chief executive at Flint Global, a consultancy offering policy and regulatory advice. The statement also noted that professor Karen Stanton, who serves on UAL’s court of governors and is currently interim vice-chancellor at Bishop Grosseteste University, will take over as interim president and vice-chancellor at UAL.
Purnell said in the statement: "UAL is a unique, brilliant institution. Once you get here, you understand a good part of why the UK is so creative. I've had a wonderful time over the past three and a half years, and am hugely proud of the way UAL has led the sector on social purpose. He added: "UAL is in a strong position—with healthy finances, a strong global reputation and a talented senior leadership team. I’ll miss our students and staff but know that they will build an even better institution in the years to come."
A placard from the student protest at Central Saint Martin's Image: © Rahul Patel
A spokesperson for UAL Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) tells The Art Newspaper in a statement that the group was “delighted and energised by the news of James Purnell’s resignation.” Referring to Purnell’s political history and voting record on issues such as the Iraq war, the spokesperson added: “anyone like that has no place leading an academic institution.”
Purnell, who joined UAL in 2021, is a former member of parliament, a former BBC executive and was the chair of Labour Friends of Israel between 2002 and 2004.
In recent months, Purnell was increasingly seen by members of UAL SJP as an obstacle to negotiating a deal with the university on their demands. A month ago, the students escalated their protests by occupying the reception area at Central Saint Martins (CSM), one of the world's leading art colleges, where they continue to remain. The students said the decision to occupy the space followed a meeting with Purnell, after which they felt they “would not receive a positive outcome” to their demands.
Purnell’s departure comes a few weeks after the renowned photographer, curator and activist, Shahidul Alam, returned his honorary doctorate from UAL in solidarity with its students.
The students’ demands include a call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, withdrawal from the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition of antisemitism, protection of the right for free speech and the right to organise for Palestine, and to “declare and divest from any investments or financial interests, which make the institution and its members complicit in the genocide of Palestinian people.”
Purnell’s resignation has not deterred the students from their protest. “We are well aware that our fight does not end with his resignation, but rather with achieving a total boycott and divestment from complicit entities in the genocide of Palestinians,” the UAL SJP spokesperson says, adding that the group will continue pressuring UAL’s executive board “until we are confident our ‘social purpose’ university aligns itself with justice.”