Since becoming Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, Wendy has made London’s civic agenda a key priority for the university,  drawing on her many years of leadership experience in London local government.

The University of London is a founding member of the London Anchor Institution Charter and Professor Thomson co-chairs the London Anchor Institutions Network.  UoL has also established the London Research and Policy Partnership (which she chairs) to bring together London’s policy makers and university researchers for the benefit of the city.  

Recognised as an authority on public service governance and reform, Wendy has worked with governments in Canada, Ghana, Nigeria, the UNDP as well as the United Kingdom. She has led organisations in the private and public sector including the London Borough of Newham, the London Borough of Islington and the Office of Public Service Reform in the Cabinet Office.  Having served on many public and private Boards, she is currently chair of the Social Market Foundation, on the Board of London Higher, and vice-chair of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

A graduate of the University of Bristol and McGill University (Montreal), Professor Thomson is a social scientist with research interests in child welfare and health care reform.