The University of York has appointed David Duncan as its registrar and secretary. Having previously taught history at the universities of Natal and Witwatersrand in South Africa, Dr Duncan also worked for the Scottish Consultative Council before joining the University of Dundee as university secretary in 2001. He replaces Sally Neocosmos, who leaves the post after five years.
Nicholas Montagu has been named the next chairman of council at Queen Mary, University of London. Former chairman of the board at the Inland Revenue, he takes over from Colette Bowe, who has been appointed chairman of communications regulator Ofcom.
A new pro vice-chancellor (external affairs) has been appointed at the University of Lincoln. British-born Scott Davidson returns to the UK from the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he was pro vice-chancellor for student services, law and international. He will oversee Lincoln's marketing, recruitment and communications activities, as well as its Faculty of Business and Law.
At Bath Spa University, Pradeep Sharma has been selected as the head of the School of Art and Design. He joins from the University of Glamorgan, where he was also head of art and design. His career spans a variety of roles, including time spent as a semiconductor physicist, product designer, brand strategist and consultant.
Also at Bath Spa, Charles Wiffen has been made head of the Department of Music, having previously been subject leader in this area. Before joining the institution, Mr Wiffen was a lecturer at the Royal College of Music and taught at Trinity College of Music, London. Film and television composer Davey Ray Moore has been made subject leader for commercial music at the university. An established musician, he has sold more than 300,000 albums.
Glyndwr University, Wrexham, has appointed Vic Grout as professor of network algorithms. His research will focus on the processes needed to transfer data via the internet more reliably and securely.
An international authority on French and European politics has been appointed visiting professor at the University of Portsmouth's Centre for European and International Studies Research. David Hanley, who has had a close relationship with the university for 25 years, said: "I have watched the Centre for European and International Studies Research go from strength to strength and I am delighted to now be part of this development."
Philip Schlesinger, professor in cultural policy and academic director of the Centre for Cultural Policy Research at the University of Glasgow, has been made chair of Ofcom's Advisory Committee for Scotland. He replaces Thomas Prag, who has served as chair of the committee since 2006.
Anglia Ruskin University's new director of learning development services is Jonathan Bouffler. Experienced in publishing, marketing and financial services, Mr Bouffler joins from Ashworth University, a for-profit distance-learning institution in the US.
David Roberts has been appointed to the newly created post of John Henry Newman chair at Newman University College, Birmingham. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, the chair has been named after the institution's namesake, Cardinal Newman.
A professor in toxicological pathology at drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline has joined the Royal Veterinary College part time. Cheryl Scudamore will focus on improving the relationship between academia and industry relating to all aspects of veterinary pathology. She said: "There is currently a global shortage of veterinary pathologists in all sectors, while universities have little expertise in specific aspects of toxicological pathology and cannot offer the training needed by industry."
John Clibbens has joined the University of Essex as dean of health partnerships, part of the institution's plans to develop its delivery of health education and research in partnership with the NHS. Professor Clibbens' role involves developing a vision for health-related teaching and research at the university, particularly co-ordinating different parts of its Faculty of Science and Engineering.
A lecturer at St George's, University of London, has been appointed director of Medical Education for England. Patricia Hamilton, senior lecturer in neonatal paediatrics, will take charge of the Modernising Medical Careers programme in England. The role will see her overseeing the full range of medical training in the country, from undergraduate studies to specialty GP training.
Brian Street, from the Department of Education and Professional Studies at King's College London, has been presented with the National Reading Conference's Distinguished Scholar Lifetime Achievement Award. Professor Street received the accolade for his significant contributions to the fields of literacy theory, research and practice.
The Faculty of Business and Law at Leeds Metropolitan University has announced that its new dean will be Martin Allison. He takes over from Brian Whittington, who will continue as dean responsible for organisational change.
A professor at Bangor University has been made a member of the Council of Food Policy Advisers. Gareth Edwards-Jones, professor of agriculture and land use, will be part of the team involved in advising the Government on issues ranging from production to retail and from regulation and distribution to consumption. Professor Edwards-Jones said: "I think the main challenge the world faces is to produce the extra food that its growing population will need without causing major damage to the environment."
The former head of TV production company FremantleMedia, responsible for shows such as The X Factor, has joined the University of Teesside. Tom Gutteridge moves back to his native North East, where he will run Standing Stone, his new production company, alongside his duties as a visiting professor.
Rodney Brooke has been made chair of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education's board. He was previously chief executive of West Yorkshire County Council and the Association of Metropolitan Authorities.