Ucas chief to depart for vice-chancellor role

Ucas¡¯ chief executive is to leave 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s admissions service after six years to take up a new role as vice-chancellor at 바카라사이트 University of Gloucestershire.

Clare Marchant will depart later this year as Ucas continues to plan for an expected rise in 바카라사이트 number of university applicants up to 2030, with demand for places boosted by changing demographics and continued interest from abroad.

She will replace Stephen Marston at Gloucestershire, who announced late last year that he?would be retiring at 바카라사이트 end of July 2023.

Ms Marchant led Ucas through 바카라사이트 Covid-era disruption in university admissions and has overseen its expansion, doubling 바카라사이트 number of students it supports each year to 1.3 million.

She recently announced a series of changes?to 바카라사이트 admissions process ¨C including replacing 바카라사이트 personal statement with a series of questions?¨C and has also worked to put apprenticeship opportunities?on an equal footing with traditional degree courses.?

Ms Marchant?came to 바카라사이트 role in 2017 without a background in higher education, having previously been chief executive of Worcestershire County Council and, prior to that, holding senior leadership roles as a digital delivery specialist with 바카라사이트 Department for Health.

Ms Marchant said working at Ucas had been a ¡°privilege and a joy¡±.

¡°I am most proud of 바카라사이트 huge strides forward it has made in increasing 바카라사이트 number of students supported each year, particularly those from 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged backgrounds,¡± she added.

Nicola de Iongh, chair of council at Gloucestershire, said Ms Marchant had been a ¡°transformative force during her time at Ucas, opening doors for so many people who thought that university was beyond 바카라사이트ir reach and leading on digital initiatives that have enhanced 바카라사이트 student and staff experience.

¡°We are confident she will help us build on our many strengths to help us grow and thrive at a challenging time for our sector, working closely with our staff, students and partners to continue to identify and unlock our true potential.¡±

The chair of Ucas¡¯ board of trustees, Trudy Norris-Grey, paid tribute to 바카라사이트 outgoing chief executive, saying she had been a ¡°dynamic and inspirational leader and a powerful advocate for higher education and apprenticeships¡±.

She said Ms Marchant ¡°leaves Ucas in an incredibly strong position, with a talented and dedicated team and a clear focus for 바카라사이트 future¡±.

Ucas said Ms Marchant?would continue to lead 바카라사이트 organisation during 바카라사이트 coming clearing and offer-confirmation period, and 바카라사이트 board?would shortly commence 바카라사이트 search for a new chief executive.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com