The University of Essex's Annual Meeting of Court later this week will welcome a new membership to the Colchester Campus.

Around 100 members are expected to attend the meeting, Professor Colin Riordan's first as Vice-Chancellor.

The Court membership includes a wide range of representatives from the regional community, appointed on the basis of their interests, expertise or connections with the University, and drawn from a variety of fields. The annual event provides an opportunity to encourage people in the region to have an active interest in the University, for them to be formally associated with it, and comment on University affairs.

This year, in addition to the meeting, members will be able to find out more about the iLab at the Colchester Campus, the growing role of philanthropy at the University and the social science research conducted by the Institute for Social and Economic Research and the UK Data Archive.

The annual meeting of Court will also see two Honorary Fellowships awarded, to Allan Blundell and Sir Robin Mountfield, in recognition of their significant contribution to the life and work of the University.

Chair of the Essex Pension Scheme and a Director of Wivenhoe Park Management Ltd, Allan Blundell has also been a member of Council since 2003. A former executive with Cable and Wireless plc, Allan Blundell is Chair of the Cable and Wireless Pension Fund.

Former Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, Sir Robin Mountfield spent most of his career in the Department of Trade and Industry, and was Deputy Secretary in charge of its regulatory functions before moving to HM Treasury in 1992 and to the Cabinet Office in 1995. He was a member of Council from 1999.

Notes to editors
1. Members of the media are invited to attend the annual meeting of Court on Thursday 17 April.

The programme for the event is as follows:

• 3.30-4.15pm Information sessions: the iLab, philanthropy at the University, and social science research
• 4-5.15pm Reception, with information stands
• 5.15-6.45pm Annual Meeting of Court