Professor House joined the institution in January 2013 as one of only a handful of female Vice-Chancellors in the sector at the time and set out an ambitious five-year plan to differentiate Leeds Trinity in an increasingly challenging higher education sector.

Under her direction, the University continues to achieve record levels of student enrolments and it became known for excellent employability, with 97% of graduates gaining employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2016), thanks in part to its work with over 8,000 businesses. The institution has diversified its income streams with the introduction of accredited work-based learning routes, degree and higher apprenticeships and foundation year courses. Under her leadership, Leeds Trinity’s approach to research was transformed, resulting in beacons of world-leading research and a thriving community of PhD students. For four years in a row Leeds Trinity has been one of the top 10 universities in the country for its ‘value-added’ scores (The Guardian University Guide 2017, 2018 and 2019).

As an influential visionary within the higher education sector, and as head of one of only four Catholic foundation universities in the UK, Professor House was entrusted by her peers to chair the Cathedrals Group of Universities. In addition, she sat as an Executive Member of GuildHE, a board member of HEFCE’s Teaching Excellence and Student Opportunity Strategic Advisory Committee and was chair of regional educational group, Go Higher West Yorkshire.

She enabled the University to significantly raise its reputation as a widening participation institution, inspiring students from under-represented groups to study and enabling all students, from all backgrounds, to succeed. In November 2014 the University launched the Leeds Children’s University.

Professor Margaret House OBE, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “I am extremely sad to be leaving Leeds Trinity. It is a University with an exceptional community of staff, students and alumni, who make Leeds Trinity a very special place to work and study.

“Since I joined the University, the institution has flourished, and I am very proud to have contributed to the successes of the University over the past seven years. I have enjoyed leading a team of dedicated colleagues and my role has been extremely rewarding. I’m looking forward to continuing my work until my role comes to an end this summer.”

Zoha Shah, President of Leeds Trinity Students’ Union, said: “The Vice-Chancellor has worked closely with Leeds Trinity Students’ Union to ensure that the student voice is heard and that we are represented within the University. Leeds Trinity puts its students at the heart of the institution, and this is driven right from the very top. Margaret will be greatly missed, and I wish her every success in the future.”

Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chair of the Board of Governors at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Under Margaret’s leadership, the University has achieved so much. Her approach to driving change has enhanced staff engagement and student cohesion, and she embodies the ethos of the institution to work collaboratively in a supportive, community environment. I would like to thank Professor House for her outstanding leadership at Leeds Trinity over the past seven years.”

Professor House is expected to leave the University at the end of August but will remain in post until the new Vice-Chancellor is ready to take up their post.  The process to recruit a new Vice-Chancellor will begin imminently.