Sir Stewart Sutherland, principal and vice-chancellor of Edinburgh University, will be the next convener of the Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals. He will take over from Ian Graham-Bryce in August.
Sir Roland Smith, chancellor of the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, is to head the board of the Manchester Science Enterprise Centre, set up to teach scientists how to commercialise research.
David Auckland, professor of business creation at the University of Manchester, has been appointed director of MSEC.
Charlie Jeffery, professor of German politics and deputy director of the Institute for German studies at the University of Birmingham, has been appointed director of the Economic and Social Research Council's Pounds 4.7 million research programme on devolution and constitutional change.
Stephan Jefferis, former associate with Golder Associates, and visiting professor, Imperial College, has been appointed professor in civil engineering at the University of Surrey. John Chew, former corporate specialist at Rolls-Royce plc, has been appointed professor of mechanical engineering at Surrey. Jeremy Allam, former senior researcher and group leader, Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory, has been appointed professor of ultra-fast optoelectronics at Surrey.
Kevin Edwards, head of the department of archaeology and prehistory at the University of Sheffield, has joined the University of Aberdeen as professor of physical geography.
Keith Sharpe, professor of education and head of the department of education at the University of Liverpool, has been appointed director of the Bedford campus at De Montfort University. Elizabeth Leo, former assistant to the dean of research at the Institute of Education and associate director of the International School Effectiveness and Improvement Centre, becomes head of De Montfort's school of education in September. She will succeed Peter Walden on his retirement.
Anne Summerfield, professor of women's history at the University of Lancaster, has been appointed professor of modern history at the University of Manchester from September.
Dennis Parker, former dean of social sciences at Middlesex University, has been appointed dean of the business school.
Michael Quayle, Bosch chair in purchasing and supply at the University of Glamorgan, has become acting director of the university's business school.