Struther Arnott, 64, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews for 14 years, is to retire on or shortly after St Andrew's Day (November 30). His announcement was a surprise because last year he negotiated an extension of his contract until the age of 67. He plans to divide his time between homes in California and London after retirement.
Karel van Miert, outgoing European Union commissioner for competition policy, has been appointed president and professor of international competition at Universiteit Nyenrode, the Netherlands Business School and the only private university fully accredited by the Dutch ministry of education and science. He will succeed Neelie Kroes in April next year.
Mike Blackburn, vice-chairman of the Halifax plc, has been appointed chairman of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's financial services advisory group, which will advise the QCA on development of a coherent framework of qualifications that meets the needs of employers and learners in the financial services sector.
Peter Friend, lecturer in the department of surgery at Cambridge University, fellow and director of studies in medicine at Magdalene College and honorary consultant surgeon at Addenbrooke's Hospital, has been appointed to the new professorship of transplantation at Oxford University, where he will be a fellow of Green College.
David Buss, associate dean and head of Plymouth University's Exeter School of Arts and Design, becomes director of academic affairs at the Kent Institute of Art and Design from July 1.