A successful business leader has returned to the University of Leicester after 40 years to help steer the institution’s future direction.
Glynis Wright MBE, who originally graduated from the University’ English and Philosophy course in 1984, has joined the institution’s Council as a lay member.
Glynis gave up a career in economic development within local government to retrain for the legal profession. She went on to become a well-known lawyer and businesswoman running her own specialist family law firm for over 10 years which she sold in 2023. Over this time, Glynis also gave her time to encouraging other women to run their own businesses for which she received an MBE for Services to Female Entrepreneurship.
In more recent times Glynis has also committed her pro bono time to supporting young entrepreneurs and those from less privileged backgrounds to start up their own businesses acting as a Mentor for the Company of Entrepreneurs in London and within the University of Leicester Business School.
Glynis said: “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to the Council of the University of Leicester. Since I graduated from the University in 1984, I have seen the institution go from strength to strength – the expansion of its beautiful estate, its cutting-edge research in space, science, innovation and technology and the diversity of its academic and student population locally and internationally, all of which create a vibrant and dynamic backdrop to learning.
“I also feel deep gratitude to the University for being so influential in encouraging within me an independence of thought in my early years that later became the building bricks of an exciting, successful and fulfilling career path.
“I am so looking forward to working with the other Council members to do all that I can to further the interests of such an excellent University and its students.”
Gary Dixon, Chair of Council, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Glynis to Council, who, as a proud University of Leicester alumna, is most definitely one of our own.
“She brings with her a wealth of experience as a business founder and lawyer but is also well known for the extensive pro bono work she has undertaken within the Leicestershire community spanning education, business, charity and economic development. This makes her the perfect choice for Council as a true Citizen of Change.”
