A former deputy chief medical officer for England has been officially installed as chancellor at the University of Chester.

Dame Jenny Harries DBE DL has succeeded former City of Chester MP, Gyles Brandreth, as the University of Chester's new chancellor.

During her speech, Dame Jenny said: "It seems almost impossible to me that I should be standing here assuming the role of Chancellor at this institution, whose origins extend back two centuries.

"And to do so in such a wonderfully historic building and surrounded by such glorious pomp and ceremony, when many years ago my initial plan in life was simply to go to university and do a course that would help people."

As a doctor and public health professional, Dame Jenny shared her excitement to begin working with Chester's medical school, arguing it could soon develop a 'unique programme of community-focused medical training' much-needed in global communities.

The chancellor has made major contributions to several significant health responses, including Ebola, Zika, the first mpox case, MERS and the Novichok attacks at Salisbury.

She was made an OBE in 2016 for services to Public Health and a DBE in 2022 for services to Health.

From 2021, she was the founding Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), a large multi-disciplinary science and evidence-based organisation tasked with protecting the nation from external threats to health.

Here she launched two global firsts: a Centre for Climate and Health Security, and a Health Equity for Security Strategy.

Dame Jenny has taken over the role from Gyles Brandreth Hon D Litt, who succeeded the Duke of Westminster in March 2017 as chancellor.

He will remain firmly part of the University of Chester in the role of Chancellor Emeritus.