Ken Chan, who brings diverse and broad leadership experiences in the public, private and non-profit sectors, will be Brock University’s next Vice-President, Administration.

The appointment, which has been approved by the Board of Trustees, follows a national search led by a campus committee that was chaired by President Gervan Fearon and included faculty, student and staff representatives.

Chan joins Brock on June 1 from the Government of Ontario, where he is an Assistant Deputy Minister.

At the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, he led major projects such as Ontario Place redevelopment and provided oversight for 14 provincial agencies including the Niagara Parks, Ontario Trillium Foundation, Ontario Arts Council, Royal Ontario Museum, Ontario Heritage Trust and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. In December, Chan was asked to set up and lead the provincial COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Secretariat at the Ministry of the Solicitor General.

“We are delighted to welcome Ken to Brock University,” says Fearon. “He brings diverse experiences and significant skills to this important role. During the search process, he made clear his deep commitment to advancing the Brock strategic plan and its mission and priorities.”

Chan says he is looking forward to the new role.

“It is an honour to be joining Brock University and I’m energized by the opportunity to contribute to its future,” he says. “I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff and students across the University and with the broader community in support of Brock’s mission as an engaged, comprehensive university.”

Fearon says Chan will join Brock at a time of great challenge and great opportunity.

“Ken is joining an accomplished team that has served the University well,” says Fearon. “We are deeply appreciative of the leadership of AVP Financial Services and CFO Josh Tonnos and Senior AVP Infrastructure and Operations Scott Johnstone for their many contributions to Brock University over this time of transition. We look forward to continuing to benefit from their expertise.”

Previously, Chan held roles in the biotechnology, health and life sciences sectors. He was Director of Public Affairs at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Vice-President for Advocacy, Research and Healthcare at Cystic Fibrosis Canada. He also lived and worked in the United Kingdom serving as a Senior Advisor, Policing in the Mayor’s Office at London City Hall and an Assistant Director with the British Government’s Better Regulation Executive.

With extensive governance experience and an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, Chan is on the boards of Alterna Savings and Alterna Bank, and has held board roles at the University of Toronto, North York General Hospital, Sherbourne Health and at Lambeth College and Archbishop Tenison’s School in the U.K.

Chan completed CPA Canada’s Senior Executive Advanced Finance and Accounting Program and attended executive education programs at Saïd Business School, Rotman School of Management and Kellogg School of Management. He earned a Master of Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto, Master of Business Administration from City University of Seattle and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Simon Fraser University.

He is currently pursuing a Global Executive PhD at École Supérieure de Commerce de Paris Business School.