Tributes paid to OU’s former University Secretary Fraser Woodburn

Posted on 23 November 2021 • University news

It is with great sadness that we share news of the death of Fraser Woodburn, former University Secretary of The Open University, who died peacefully at home on 11 November.

Fraser served as the OU’s University Secretary for 17 years from 1999 to the end of 2015, working with four Vice-Chancellors in that period. He was an authoritative voice, well-established and highly regarded in higher education, with a distinguished career at the highest level of administration in the sector. Beginning his career in local government, he subsequently held positions at the Universities of Stirling, Edinburgh, Hull and Essex.

His wife, Professor Anne De Roeck, is an Emeritus Professor in STEM at the OU and was the Executive Dean of the STEM Faculty until 2016.

Huge contribution

During his long career at the OU, Fraser won the admiration of colleagues throughout the university for his far-sighted, strategic thinking, and his commitment to the OU and to the success of our students. He is remembered fondly by many who worked with him for his kindness, wit and willingness to listen.

An exceptional, inspirational and dedicated leader, he made a huge contribution to the OU through some very challenging periods.

In his role as University Secretary, Fraser was a leading member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Team, responsible for the administration that ensures the university runs smoothly including equality and diversity, finance, IT, government relations, development, compliance, marketing and communications.

Many of the OU’s successes in ground-breaking research, in world-class teaching, and in creative innovation were made possible thanks to Fraser’s exceptional role in leading these crucial functions.

Friend and advisor

He guided the OU through several turbulent times, notably the changes in the higher education fees and funding regime in England when the institution successfully made the case for part-time students to have access to loans on a par with full-time students.

After his retirement from the OU, he joined the Board of the University of Suffolk as a senior independent governor and continued to be a friend and advisor to many at the OU.

Professor Tim Blackman, the Vice-Chancellor, said:

“Fraser will be remembered by those of us who knew him as someone of immense ability who was completely dedicated to the OU. I had the privilege of working with him as a Pro-Vice-Chancellor and then Acting Vice-Chancellor and saw at first hand his huge contribution to the University.

“On behalf of us all at the OU, my thoughts go out to Anne and Fraser’s family who have lost far too soon a dearly loved husband and father.”