UoB to build a statue to honour VC David Eastwood on his retirement

UoB will be building a statue of Sir David Eastwood to commemorate his 12 years as Vice-Chancellor

The statue will sit at 25 feet and be placed on the Green Heart next to the Arts Building.

Following discussions between the Guild and the Strategy, Planning and Resources (SPR) Committee, a budget of £240,000 has been allocated to building the statue.

Earlier this year Sir David Eastwood announced that he would be retiring after 12 years as Vice-Chancellor.

The university told The Birmingham Tab that they “feel after Eastwood’s hard work taking the university to a better place, it is only right to ensure this is remembered for years to come.

“We are encouraging students to send in their designs to the SPR Committee for consideration. One lucky student will be selected to design the statue with acclaimed Swedish sculptor Lirpa Loof”.

The statue will be located on the Green Heart next to the tree where Eastwood eats his lunch when on campus.

Planning is already underway with the hope of erecting the statue in line with Sir David Eastwood’s retirement.

An opening ceremony for the statue will take place in August with plans to invite alumni who have been impacted by Eastwood to speak. Alumni Ann Widdecombe and Chris Tarrant, who are close friends of Eastwood, have already confirmed their attendance at the event.

To ensure sufficient funding for the statue, a GoFundMe has been set up by Eastwood.

Eastwood has already stated plans to encourage his grandchildren to play on the statue who he feels he has not been able to spend enough time with due to work.

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