London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

She replaces Sir Tim Lankester, who stands down after nearly a decade as Chairman, during which the School has grown to become a world-leading centre for research and postgraduate education in public and global health.

Commenting on her appointment, Dame Marjorie said: "It's an honour to be associated with such a distinguished teaching and research organisation, which has outstanding leadership and faculty, and an ambitious body of students. The School's success in translating its work into human benefits is a compelling story that I hope, with the very able Council, to help build and spread."

Council is the School's governing body and has overall responsibility for its operational and strategic management. Council members fulfil their roles in accordance with the School's Royal Charter.

Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:

"We are delighted that Dame Marjorie will be our new Chairman of Council. Her wealth of experience as a global business leader, and her understanding of health and humanitarian work will be a tremendous asset as we continue to develop innovative research and education programmes and forge major new partnerships, such as the Bloomsbury Research Institute."

Sir Tim Lankester, who was appointed Chairman of Council in 2006 following a very distinguished career as a civil servant and university leader, said: "This is a brilliant appointment. I have no doubt that as well as ensuring the highest standards of governance, Dame Marjorie will provide vision and leadership to support the future success of the School".

Dame Marjorie Scardino, DBE, FRSA, served as Chief Executive Officer of Pearson PLC from 1997 to December 2012. She trained and practised as a lawyer, becoming partner in a law firm in Savannah, Georgia, where she went on to publish the Pulitzer Prizewinning weekly newspaper The Georgia Gazette. In 1985, she joined The Economist Group as President of its North American operations and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 1997.

After retiring from Pearson in 2013 Dame Marjorie is Chairman of the MacArthur Foundation, is on the boards of Twitter and IAG, and is a member of several charitable and advisory boards, including The Carter Center and The Royal College of Art.

Council members

• Dr Andrée Carter, PhD FISoilSci MCIWEM
• Mr Kash Chandarana, BSc, ACA
• Ms Ann Grant, BA MSc
• Mr John O'Donnell
• Mr Sushil Premchand, BA FCA
• Mr Jon Roper, MA (Cantab)
• Dame Marjorie Scardino, DBE, FRSA
• Professor John Stephenson, BSc PhD CBiol FIBiol
• Dr Diana Walford, CBE MA BSc MSc MD FRCP FRCPath FFPH
• Professor Alison Grant, MB BS, MSc, PhD, DTM&H, FRCP
• Mr Jens Hinricher, LLM FRSPH
• Dr Susannah Mayhew, BA, MA, PhD
• Professor Helen Weiss, MSc DPhil
• Professor Baron Peter Piot, MD, PhD, FRCP, CMG
• Chair of the Student Representative Council (to be appointed)

* the official title and the one preferred by Dame Marjorie Scardino