Professor Sir Deian Hopkin

Prof Sir Deian has been Expert Adviser to the First Minister of Wales on the First World War Centenary commemorations in Wales. He is Chair of Cymru’n Cofio Wales Remembers 1914-1918 and a member of the UK First World War Centenary Board. Sir Deian led the way on how Wales commemorated the First World War and attended events on behalf of the First Minister.

Sir Deian ensured that First World War commemorations in Wales struck the right tone and gave the Centenary the attention it deserved, giving a better understanding of its causes, the consequences of which affected every family and community, and the lessons we can all learn.

Born and educated in Wales, the academic and historian has spent over 40 years in higher education including Aberystwyth University, where he was Head of History. From 2001 until his retirement in 2009, he was Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University.

He is a distinguished historian and served as President of the National Library of Wales until 2016.