Vice-Chancellor receives CBE at Windsor Castle

The University of Reading Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Van de Noort, received a CBE from HRH The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle on Tuesday 23 April.

Professor Robert Van de Noort CBE was appointed as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the News Year Honours list, in recognition of his contributions to science, flood risk management, and sustainability.

The investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Tuesday was when Professor Van de Noort was officially presented with his honour.

Professor Van de Noort said: “I was surprised and delighted to be offered a CBE, and today I feel very honoured to have been invited to Windsor Castle to meet Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.

“Princess Anne seemed very interested in the University and I was pleased to be able to tell her something of our amazing work, particularly in the area of sustainability, which has been a collective priority for our colleagues, students and neighbours.

“A Vice-Chancellor is only one member of a wider University team, and I hope everyone in the University community recognises the important role they play in achieving our important mission, to secure a stronger future through education and discovery.”

Professor Van de Noort’s academic career as an archaeologist focused on maritime, coastal and wetland landscapes. He explored how past societies were affected by, and adapted to, changing climates over the last 10,000 years, and what this tells us about our own lives at a time of rapid climate change.

He was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Reading in 2014, Acting Vice-Chancellor in 2018 and then Vice-Chancellor in 2019. 

As well as his academic career, Professor Van de Noort has had an active role in flood risk management, uniquely chairing two different Regional Flood and Coastal Committees over the last decade: the one for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly between 2013 and 2017 and the one for the Thames since 2017.

The award of CBE is the highest level of recognition below that of a dame or knighthood and is awarded to individuals who have achieved prominent roles at national level, leading roles at regional level, or for distinguished, innovative contributions in any area of public life.

See Professor Robert Van de Noort's full biography.

Image 1: Robert receives his CBE award from HRH The Princess Royal, at Windsor Castle.

Image 2: Robert with his family at Windsor Castle