Linda Pollard

OBE, JP, DL

Educated at Bingley Grammar School, Linda Pollard has considerable experience in both the public and private sectors. A successful entrepreneur, she started her first business at the age of twenty-three, and devotes much of her time and experience to the public sector.

She is currently Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward; Regional Chair and the National Womens' Ambassador for Coutts Bank plc; Chair of NHS Leeds, a Board member of the Universities and Colleges and Employers Association (UCEA) and on the Strategy Group of HEFCE. Linda is also Chair of an Inspirational Journey, an organisation which seeks to increase participation of women on Boards, and the Two Percent Club for Yorkshire.

She is a former chair of Bradford and District Care Trust, Bradford Teaching NHS Trust, the West Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority and the North Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council. Until February 2011 she was on the Board of Welcome to Yorkshire. She has served as a magistrate and is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant for West Yorkshire.

Linda was awarded an OBE in 2004 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the community.

A member of the University Council since 1997, she became Pro-Chancellor of the University of Leeds and Chair of the governing body (the Council) in August 2007.

The Pro-Chancellor can be contacted through the Secretary's office