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UEA proudly welcomed Dame Jenny Abramsky GBE (ENG65) as its eighth Chancellor in April, marking another chapter in her remarkable journey. Dame Jenny graduated from UEA in 1968 with a degree in English, and her return as Chancellor celebrates her enduring connection to UEA and her commitment to education and philanthropy.
From Shy Student to BBC Trailblazer
Reflecting on her student years, Dame Jenny recalls arriving at UEA as a shy 18-year-old, unaware of the extraordinary career that lay ahead. “I was honoured and thrilled,” she said of her appointment as Chancellor. “The very shy girl that came here at the age of 18 would never have dreamt that I would end up being Chancellor of the University.” Her time at UEA, during its early, formative years, was pivotal. The University, founded in 1963, was among six new institutions striving to offer something unique and multidisciplinary, a philosophy that deeply influenced her.
At UEA, where students were encouraged to explore new paths and contribute to the University’s burgeoning culture, Dame Jenny stood out. She became the Joint Chair of the New Universities Festival Committee, which organised an annual festival held at a different new university each year. She served as Chair the year the festival was hosted by UEA, demonstrating early leadership and a drive to innovate. “It gave me the opportunity to do something that was wider than just my university course,” she recalls, a sentiment that foreshadowed her groundbreaking career at the BBC.
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Dame Jenny Abramsky GBE at UEA's Graduation Ceremony 2024
Breaking Barriers at the BBC
Starting as a programmes operations assistant in 1969, Dame Jenny rose through the ranks to become the first woman editor of The Today Programme and launched Britain’s first continuous news and sport radio station, Radio 5 Live, as well as the television channel BBC News 24. Her ascent was not without challenges, as she often found herself as the only woman in a male-dominated newsroom. “It was tough,” she admits, “the current generation might still have glass ceilings, but believe me, they were so much lower in my day. It was a very different world then.”
In 1997, she launched the BBC’s news website before moving back into radio as the corporation’s Director of Radio in 1999. During her tenure, she launched several influential radio stations, including 1Xtra, BBC 7, 6 Music, 5 Live Sports Extra, and the Asian Network. By the time she left the BBC in 2008, she was on the corporation’s executive board as Director of Audio and Music and its most senior female employee.
Her determination to push through these barriers was fuelled by a combination of personal drive and the foundational experiences at UEA. “At UEA, we had to create things. They must have selected people who they hoped would create a university in that sense,” she explains. This spirit of innovation carried her through the BBC, where she paved the way for future generations of women in journalism.
Championing Philanthropy and Education
Dame Jenny's commitment to philanthropy is profound and deeply personal. After leaving the BBC, she took on senior roles in various prestigious organizations, including Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Deputy Chair of the Canal and River Trust, and six years as Chair of the University of London. She is currently Chair of Trustees of National Life Stories. Having recently stepped down after 11 years as Chair of the Royal Academy of Music, she understands the transformative power of philanthropic support.
“Philanthropy is absolutely vital,” she says. “Great academic institutions will not survive without it. So much of the research that takes place in UEA and this country just would not happen without some of the philanthropy. And the wonderful thing is that it’s a two-way process – the institution gains and so does the philanthropist.”
Her message to UEA's alumni is clear: staying involved and giving back really makes a difference. “Alumni engagement doesn't have to just be financial. It can be about being ambassadors, offering opportunities to today's students," she says. Her own life is proof of the impact of such support, and she is a passionate advocate for its role in fostering future talent.
A Legacy of Leadership and Inspiration
Dame Jenny is the third consecutive woman to serve as UEA's Chancellor, following Dame Rose Tremain and Dame Karen Jones. Her appointment is a powerful statement about the importance of women in leadership roles. “It shows that anything is possible,” she asserts. “Women bring different perspectives, and it's about choosing the best people for the job.”
Her return to UEA is both a professional milestone and a personal journey back to where it all began. Among her fondest memories is choreographing and dancing in a performance of Handel's “Saul,” reflecting her passion for dance that started with her ballet classes in her childhood and continued with her later involvement with the Royal Ballet. Her love for Norfolk, kindled during her student years, remains strong, with her family maintaining close ties to the area.
In June, Dame Jenny was further recognised for her extraordinary contributions. She was elevated to Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list for her outstanding services to the arts, media, and culture.
Dame Jenny Abramsky's story from a shy student at a fledgling university to a leader in media and philanthropy is an inspiring one. Her return to UEA as Chancellor promises to influence and inspire the University community, demonstrating that with passion, resilience, and support, anything is possible.
Following her installation at summer Congregation, and taking the Chair at a graduation ceremony, Dame Jenny’s next formal role as our Chancellor will be to Chair the University’s AGM, known as UEA Court, this year being held at UEA on the evening of 11th October.