Plymouth Marjon University appoints new Chief Academic Officer

Released: 23.03.26

Plymouth Marjon University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Simon Stewart as its new Chief Academic Officer.

Dr Stewart will lead the University’s academic strategy and champion excellence in teaching, research and partnership development across the UK and internationally.

His academic interests span student engagement and advocacy, technology‑enabled learning, interprofessional learning, professional development, change leadership and servant leadership.

Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Claire Taylor said: “Simon is an outstanding leader whose values, vision and ambition align with Marjon's commitment to tackling social inequity, embracing inconvenient excellence, and extending opportunity and possibility for all.

“I’m delighted that Simon is joining the University as Chief Academic Officer and look forward to all that he will bring to our community as we move into the next phase of delivering our strategy, Marjon 2030.”

Dr Simon Stewart said: “I’m excited to join Plymouth Marjon University. Marjon is a university with heart, ambition, and a deep commitment to its students and community. I look forward to working with colleagues to strengthen our academic offer and help shape the next chapter of Marjon’s growth with purpose.”

Dr Stewart joins Marjon from Wrexham University, bringing extensive experience across private, statutory and voluntary sector organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and internationally, including work in Ghana and Israel over the past 23 years.

A qualified youth worker, Simon holds a JNC professional youth work. His research explores intercultural learning, international youth work, rural and digital youth work, social enterprise and values‑based leadership.

As Dean of the Faculty of Social and Life Sciences and Wrexham Business School, he led a broad academic portfolio shaped by a commitment to excellence. He is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and served for 7 years on the Youth Work board for Wales that advised the Cabinet Secretary for Education and contributed to the National Time to Deliver for Young People in Wales (2021) report.