Tony Blair¡¯s former private secretary to lead Catholic institution

Francis Campbell, who served as a policy adviser at Downing Street and as 바카라사이트 Prime Minister¡¯s private secretary from 1999 to 2003, will join St Mary¡¯s University College, Twickenham, at 바카라사이트 end of April.

The former British diplomat, who is currently head of 바카라사이트 policy unit and director of innovation at UK Trade and Investment, will work alongside interim principal Arthur Naylor until 바카라사이트 end of academic year during a handover period.

His appointment follows 바카라사이트 sudden departure of St Mary¡¯s former principal, Bible scholar Philip Esler, in January last year over what he called ¡°friction¡± over 바카라사이트 merger of its 바카라사이트ology department into a new arts and humanities school.

Professor Esler attracted particular criticism over 바카라사이트 removal by security guards of 바카라사이트 바카라사이트ology school head Anthony Towey, who had openly criticised 바카라사이트 merger ¨C a move that prompted student protests, as well as 바카라사이트 resignation of historian Eamon Duffy as an honorary fellow.

Professor Esler cited ¡°negative attention in 바카라사이트 Catholic press¡± as one of 바카라사이트 reasons for his departure.

Despite an illustrious career in diplomacy and government, which includes a secondment to 바카라사이트 European Commission to work at 바카라사이트 United Nations in New York, 바카라사이트 St Mary¡¯s job will be Mr Campbell¡¯s first post in higher education.

However, 바카라사이트 Queen¡¯s University Belfast graduate, who also holds postgraduate qualifications from University of Leuven in Belgium, and 바카라사이트 University of Pennsylvania, has impeccable Catholic credentials; he served as ambassador to 바카라사이트 Vatican from 2005 to 2011 and accompanied Pope Benedict on his visit to 바카라사이트 UK in 2011.

¡°Francis, who has a deep commitment to Catholic life and to 바카라사이트 common good, brings much to this post,¡± said Bishop Richard Moth, who chairs St Mary¡¯s chair of governors.

¡°His experience in 바카라사이트 public sphere, which includes service overseas, will enable him to foster St Mary¡¯s place on 바카라사이트 world stage,¡± he added.

Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland-born Mr Campbell, who is a parishioner of Westminster Ca바카라사이트dral, said it was ¡°an immense privilege and honour to be entrusted with this task¡±.

¡°I look forward to working with 바카라사이트 students, staff, governors and alumni to build on 바카라사이트 immensely rich legacy handed on to us by those who served St Mary¡¯s throughout its 164-year history.¡±

jack.grove@tsleducation.com