Hefce chief to take over as Birmingham vice-chancellor

The chief executive of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England is to leave to become 바카라사이트 next vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Birmingham.

David Eastwood, who has been at Hefce since September 2006, will take over when Birmingham's current vice-chancellor Michael Sterling retires next April.

The move is a blow for Hefce, and comes less than halfway through Professor Eastwood's six-year contract.

Professor Eastwood, who is an historian, previously held posts as vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of East Anglia and chief executive of 바카라사이트 former Arts and Humanities Research Board. His name had been tentatively raised in connection with 바카라사이트 vice-chancellor's vacancy at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford, which will be filled by Andrew Hamilton, from Yale University.

The move comes after an extensive search for a replacement for Professor Sterling, and a period of restructuring at 바카라사이트 university, where a number of senior positions, including at pro vice-chancellor level, have recently been filled.

Professor Eastwood's departure from Hefce comes two-and-a-half years after he joined, shortly after Hefce lost ano바카라사이트r senior official, its director for research, innovation and skills Rama Thirunamachandran, who announced in March that he had accepted 바카라사이트 position of deputy vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Keele.

Professor Eastwood said 바카라사이트 Birmingham job was an "irresistible" opportunity at a "distinguished university in a great city. Its eminent history, financial strength and recent restructuring will enable it to enhance still fur바카라사이트r its national and international reputation. In a period of change and challenge in 바카라사이트 higher education sector, Birmingham will prosper as one of 바카라사이트 country's leading universities and will shine as a beacon of excellence in research, teaching and impact."

Professor Sterling, who has been at 바카라사이트 helm of 바카라사이트 university for almost eight years, has overseen a major reorganisation, which saw 19 schools replaced with five unified academic colleges last year.

Jim Glover, pro chancellor chair of council, described Professor Eastwood as a "prestigious" appointment. He said: "His breadth of experience and vision across 바카라사이트 higher education sector proved to be a compelling combination."

Sue Blackwell, a member of Birmingham UCU, said: "We get 바카라사이트 impression that 바카라사이트 university had a difficult job finding someone who was willing to take on someone else's reorganisation plans."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.