The Chancellor is appointed as the titular head of the University and confers degrees, diplomas and other awards, although they have the right to delegate this conferral.

The current chancellor, Sir Ian Wood, is the second Chancellor of the University and replaced Sir Bob Reid on 7^th December 2004.

Sir Ian was born and educated in Aberdeen. After graduating with a first class Honours degree in 1964 he joined the family business, John Wood & Son, and became the Managing Director in 1967. The business flourished, and it is now made up of two independent Scottish Business Groups. John Wood Group Plc is the UK's largest energy services company, employing more than 28,000 people in more than 46 countries. J W Holdings is one of Scotland's largest fishing companies, employing more than 400 people.

For his achievements, Sir Ian has been awarded an honorary LLD degree by Aberdeen University, an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the Robert Gordon University, and the degree of Doctor of Technology from Glasgow Caledonian University. He was awarded the C.B.E in 1982, and was awarded a knighthood in the 1994 New Years Honours List.