Professor Edward Byrne, Chair of the ACU Council and President & Principal of King’s College London has been awarded a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020.
Prof Byrne’s distinguished career spans more than 40 years and has covered clinical, research and leadership roles in both Australia and the UK, at the University of Melbourne, University College London (UCL), Monash University and King’s College London.
As Chair of Council, Prof Byrne leads the governing body of the ACU responsible for overseeing the Association’s activities and determining its future direction. Since being elected in 2018, he has overseen the launch of the ACU’s strategic plan 2019-2025, ‘The road to 2030’, as well as the establishment of Regional Committees to enhance links between member universities in different Commonwealth countries.
Originally trained as a neuroscientist, as a researcher Prof Byrne made important discoveries in mitochondrial pathology and neuromuscular diseases. His research group was one of three in the world that established mitochondrial pathology as an important contributor in human disease and to the ageing process.
Prof Byrne became President & Principal of King’s College London in August 2014, following his role as University President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University. At King’s, Prof Byrne established a new university mission and vision for 2029, significantly increased the range of degrees and programmes available to students, and founded the King’s Business School. Through his work and connections with industry and business, King’s has grown its global links as well as partnerships within London.
Prof Byrne was admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2006 and a Companion of the Order of Australia, Australia’s highest honour, in 2014.