David Eastwood appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

16 June 2008

Professor David Eastwood, Chief Executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham with effect from April 2009.

Tim Melville-Ross, Chair of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, said:

'David Eastwood has proved to be an outstanding chief executive at HEFCE. Drawing on his distinguished background in universities and at the Arts and Humanities Research Board, David has led an already successful organisation and made it even stronger. The fruits of his leadership were recently evident in the European Foundation for Quality Management awarding HEFCE the top score of five stars in its "Recognised for Excellence" award.

'David's great strength is that he operates in a collegial manner, but also provides firm direction, expertise and guidance on a wide range of issues. He is held in great respect by HEFCE staff and members of the HEFCE Board, and has achieved excellent working relations both with Government and the sector. He is totally committed to the future of higher education and has demonstrated vision in all areas, including the innovation and skills agenda being developed by ministers and DIUS colleagues.

'I congratulate David on this appointment. The role of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham offers him a unique opportunity and is ideally suited to his many talents. We will make sure we continue to make full use of his expertise until he starts in his new role in April 2009.'

David Eastwood said:

'The Vice-Chancellorship of the University of Birmingham offered an irresistible challenge and a huge opportunity. A powerful university in a great city, Birmingham has achieved much and, following its recent restructuring, is poised to make an even more significant national and international impact. Although I am hugely excited by the challenges that Birmingham offers, I will relish my remaining time at HEFCE and continue to work with Government and the sector to address the key challenges and opportunities that face us. There is also much to do in leading and embedding important changes in the internal structure of HEFCE. I am deeply grateful to my colleagues for their continuing support and wonderful commitment to HEFCE's pivotal work in English higher education.'

John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, said:

'David's strong leadership and extensive knowledge of the higher education sector has made him a very successful chief executive of HEFCE. The benefit of his time at HEFCE has not only been felt at the organisation but in the higher education sector as a whole.

'In particular, as the first Secretary of State at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills I have greatly valued his solid advice and support. I know that other Ministers that have worked with David will want to extend similar thanks.

'David's drive, determination and ambition will be highly valued at the University of Birmingham. I look forward to working with Tim Melville-Ross and him to achieve an orderly transition at HEFCE and also in the longer term as he takes the helm at Birmingham.'

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