University News Last updated 14 August
Television presenter, journalist, disability campaigner and Paralympic medallist Ade Adepitan MBE is the new Chancellor of Birmingham City University (BCU), succeeding Sir Lenny Henry.
The 51-year-old, who was a member of the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team that won bronze at the 2004 Games in Athens, will take up his new position at the end of 2024.
“It’s an honour to be taking over from the legendary Sir Lenny Henry, who has always been a hero of mine,” said Adepitan.
“I’m extremely passionate about the power of education to uplift people from working class backgrounds and minority groups, so this feels like a dream appointment.
“I’m also looking forward to becoming fluent in Brummie before the end of my tenure.”
BCU Vice-Chancellor Professor David Mba said: “Anyone who has ever met Ade will see his enormous passion for education and for inclusion.
“This is a brilliant appointment for BCU. With our shared values, vision and dynamism, I am looking forward to working with him, the board, and the rest of the University’s leadership team to make BCU a place where everyone can thrive.”
Anita Bhalla, Chair of BCU’s Board of Governors, said: “It was always going to be a challenge to replace Sir Lenny, who has been such a wonderful and charismatic Chancellor for BCU. Fantastically with Ade, we believe we've made the perfect choice.
“He will bring a new perspective to the role and will be a tremendous asset to the University, to Birmingham, and to the West Midlands. I’m excited to welcome him to BCU.”
Ade has presented programmes and documentaries for a number of broadcasters, including the BBC and Channel 4. He has also co-presented the BBC’s Children in Need appeal and has appeared in episodes of Casualty. He was also the lead actor in CBBC’s classic children’s drama Desperados.
Ade will be a prominent figure on Channel 4 later this month when he co-hosts coverage of the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris from 28 August.
He received an MBE for services to disability sport in 2005 and continues to support a number of charities, including Go Kids Go, which he is patron of.
Born in Nigeria, he contracted polio at the age of 15 months, which ultimately left him unable to walk. At the age of three years, he moved to the UK with his mother to join his father in London.
An inspirational sportsman, Ade not only won bronze at the 2004 Paralympics, but he also helped GB win wheelchair basketball gold at the 2005 Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.
Ade replaces Sir Lenny, who steps down as Chancellor after joining the University in 2016. The 66-year-old broadcaster, comedian, actor and writer will remain involved with BCU through the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity.
Ade is married to Scottish singer Linda Harrison, aka Elle Exxe. They wed in 2018 and have one son.