Ian Tunbridge is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External) at Thames Valley University.

Before this he was Executive Director of the Combined Universities in Cornwall. Following an early career as an Exploration Geologist for Shell UK, he worked for many years at the University of Plymouth, initially as a lecturer and researcher in Geology, and then as Access Co-ordinator, Director of Academic Partnerships and finally as Dean of University of Plymouth Colleges, for which work he gained a Queens Anniversary Prize for the University in 1994, and was made OBE in the 2007 New Years Honours. He is a founder and executive member of the Association for Collaborative Provision. He led the development of Aim Higher in the South West and is now the Chair of the newly merged West, Central and North London Aim Higher Partnership.