Professor Hall outlined her vision for a university that is unapologetically inclusive, fearlessly forward-thinking and committed to delivering education that truly makes a difference.
Date: 23 June 2025
Students, staff and international partners gathered for the formal inauguration of Professor Julie Hall as Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium last night.
Although Julie took over as Vice-Chancellor in summer 2024, the event marked a ceremonial moment to recognise her leadership nearly a year into her tenure. It was a chance to reflect on London Met’s extraordinary journey, reaffirm its values and outline an ambitious path forward.
A gathering of civic and international leaders
The evening welcomed a distinguished guest list, including the Lord Mayor of Islington, a London Met alumnus; Her Excellency Ambassador Catherine Kirumba Karemu, High Commissioner for Kenya and Mr Sameera Dayasekara, First Secretary of the Sri Lankan High Commission. Their presence underscored London Met’s growing international reputation and civic commitment.
Chair of the Board of Governors Tijs Broeke opened proceedings with praise for the university’s evolution and Julie’s role in leading it. “London Met is a university that reflects the city it serves,” he said. “It is diverse, ambitious and constantly evolving. Julie understands the civic power of this place, and her leadership embodies our mission to serve The Real London.”
A speech rooted in experience and belief
Julie opened her address with warm and sincere thanks to those who had supported her journey and the university’s progress. She acknowledged her colleagues for their dedication, the Board of Governors for their guidance, her family for their unwavering encouragement, and paid particular tribute to her predecessor, Professor Emeritus Lynn Dobbs OBE, whose leadership played a crucial role in navigating London Met through a time of significant transformation since 2018.
Reflecting on her journey from first-generation student to university leader, Julie described how she entered higher education through clearing, after a chance decision at a school camping trip. “Like many of you sitting here today, I was the first in my family to go to university,” she said.
She spoke about the power of education to unlock potential, challenge inequality, and widen opportunity. Recalling her work on Tell It Like It Is, a project revisiting systemic racism in British schools, Julie underlined her long-standing commitment to justice and inclusive teaching. She emphasised the importance of listening, collaboration and courageous leadership.
Honouring legacy, driving change
Julie was clear that she joined London Met not to reset its direction but to sustain its momentum. “I didn’t come in to start again,” she said. “I came in to keep that momentum going and to bring my own energy, experience and vision to the next chapter.”
She described the university as a place that mirrors London itself, diverse, dynamic and full of promise. She credited careful financial stewardship with protecting London Met from the disruption facing other institutions and rejected market-driven models of higher education. “We are a university that rejects the narrow, hyper-individualised competitive focus that undermines our capacity to bring about growth in our communities.”
Julie also spotlighted partnerships across sectors, from Arsenal Football Club to NHS trusts and creative industries, as a defining strength.
Belonging, possibility and purpose
Julie outlined her vision for 2030 around three core themes: belonging, possibility and purpose. She spoke of building a culture where all students feel valued, challenging assumptions about free speech and inclusion, and creating academic programmes that respond to real-world complexity.
“At London Met, we do not see free speech and inclusion as being in tension. We see them as deeply interconnected. Without inclusion, speech becomes dominance. Without speech, inclusion becomes silence.”
Investing in potential
A key announcement was the launch of the Rising Star Scholarship Scheme, which offers fully funded places for talented working-class students across the creative arts. Julie paid tribute to the inspirational Londoners lending their names to the scholarships, several of whom were in attendance, including DJ Jordss, Ayanna Witter-Johnson, Dan Whitlam and Hak Baker. She also acknowledged Afua Hirsch, Kathy Burke and Arsenal Football Club for their support.
“At a time when the cost of living is limiting access, we are saying clearly: talent deserves a place.”
Celebrating culture and community
The evening also featured performances from London Met’s cheerleading squad, the Infinity Jets, and a moving rendition of “Fight Song” by MSc Pharmaceutical Sciences student Maryam Shafiq. Dusty Alahakoon, speaking on behalf of one of London Met’s international partner’s, NEXT Partnership School, reinforced the university’s global outlook and thanked the university for its collaborative efforts to widen access to high quality education.
Looking to the future
As her speech drew to a close, Julie left the audience with a clear sense of direction and purpose. “My vision for London Met is rooted in our values, a university that is unapologetically inclusive, fearlessly forward-thinking and committed to delivering education that truly makes a difference.”
