Birmingham Newman University Chancellor flies the flag for friendliness in front of region’s leading lights
Excellence does not need to come at the expense of friendliness, according to Julie Etchingham’s first Chancellor’s Graduation Lunch speech for Birmingham Newman University.
In a week where hundreds of the University’s students celebrated graduation, Julie’s address at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel reminded an audience of the region’s dignitaries that Birmingham Newman’s success is founded on both kindness and respect.
Julie, anchor for ITN’s News at Ten, and an award-winning broadcaster and journalist, explained:
“In a world which can be harsh, brash, and all about everyone on a solo mission to be ‘the best version of themselves’ – there is an air of kind collaboration and support at Birmingham Newman which flies in the face of all that.
“Being a place of warm encounter is fundamental to the way the place operates.
“The team at Birmingham Newman simply believes that academic excellence and strong pastoral care – friendliness – are not mutually exclusive.”
To an audience which included civic leaders, public sector executives and leading figures from the West Midlands business community, Julie invited greater collaboration with the University.
She quoted a line from one of the most famous prayers of the University’s patron, St John Henry Newman: “I have a part in a great work. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.”
Julie emphasised that it is this bond of connection between all of us which will help power the University into its next chapter.
The Grand Hotel event took place after a run of unprecedented success for Birmingham Newman, which has including the status of University of the Year for Teaching Quality 2027 for The Times and Sunday Times, topping the NSS 2026 for overall student satisfaction, and reaching the Guardian University Guide 2027 Top 35 as the fastest-rising university.
Julie, the University’s ceremonial advocate and ambassador, was appointed as Pro-Chancellor of Birmingham Newman University in 2023 and was appointed Chancellor in 2026.
Also speaking at the event were Vice-Chancellor Professor Jackie Dunne MBE, Chair of Council Professor Martin Stringer, and Dr Sarah Mullin MBE, multi-award-winning educational expert and best-selling author. Sarah has completed both a PGCE and Doctorate of Education at Birmingham Newman.
About Birmingham Newman University
Since 1968, Birmingham Newman University has grown into a modern, inclusive institution – gaining full university status in 2013 – that welcomes people from all backgrounds and world views. Its future is shaped by a clear vision and a set of goals that reflect an ambition to be the leading university in inclusive education for the graduate workforce of tomorrow.
Birmingham Newman University’s values provide the foundation for a diverse and vibrant academic community. At the heart of this is a commitment to a values-driven, high-quality university education.
The University hosts an Open Day on Saturday 21 November 2026, 10am to 3pm.
