Bio

Professor Frances Corner OBE is the Warden of Goldsmiths, University of London.

Frances is the first woman to take on the role of Warden of Goldsmiths since the University was founded. Previously Head of London College of Fashion and Pro Vice-Chancellor of University of the Arts London she has over 25 years’ experience within the higher education sector working at both national and international level.

Regularly public speaking, Frances has delivered key-note speeches and lectures at TEDTalks, the United Nations, International Universities and private events. An experienced writer and broadcaster, Frances publishes widely on art and design education and, in 2014, published her first book entitled ‘Why Fashion Matters’ (Thames and Hudson).

She is a board member for the University of London and London Higher and Chair of the AccessHE Steering Group.

A passionate sustainability advocate, Frances is Executive Chair of the London Higher Sustainability Network and a member of the Universities UK Task and Finish Group exploring how UK universities can address climate change.

She is a Council member for the All-Party Parliamentary University Group and Creative UK.  

Frances is Chair of Trustees at Maudsley Charity. She was previously Chair of the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes and Chair of Trustees for the House of Illustration. She was also a board member for Advance HE, the Wallace Collection and Centrepoint, the youth homelessness charity. 

In March 2016 Frances was honoured with the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT) Distinguished Professor and PhD Supervisor Award and in 2017 she was given an honorary degree from the University of Gloucestershire.

She holds a DPhil from Oxford and was awarded an OBE in 2009 for services to fashion Higher Education and widening participation in arts education.