A former student and respected leader in the pharmacy sector is set to take up a new role as Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Sunderland.
Mark Burdon will start his new role on 1 August this year following the retirement of current Chair, Farooq Hakim.
Mark graduated from the University of Sunderland with a degree in Pharmacy in 1999. He went on to found a successful chain of local pharmacies in the north-east of England and has been active in pharmacy governance both nationally and internationally.
Mark has been a member of the University’s Governing Board since 2021.
He said: “As an alumnus of the University, I’m incredibly proud to be appointed Chair of the Board of Governors. It’s an honour to support the executive team in delivering a truly transformative experience for all our students.
“Sunderland is a city on the rise, and I take great pride in the university’s central role in its regeneration.
“We are a university with a proud legacy and heritage, recently shortlisted for the THE University of the Year award. Building on this momentum, I am committed to advancing our strategic ambitions – ensuring that students and staff remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Mark was Secretary General of the World Pharmacy Council for three years, where he directed global pharmacy initiatives, in line with international health priorities.
Prior to that appointment he chaired the Resource Development and Finance Subcommittee of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, representing community pharmacies at a national level.
Farooq Hakim, current Chairman of the University Board of Governors, said: “It’s been fantastic working with Mark over the last few years. I’m proud of what we achieved together and I’m confident under his leadership the University will continue to thrive.
“As a fellow graduate I know he shares my passion to build on our recent successes and continue to deliver life changing experiences for our students while making a positive contribution to our city and the wider region.”