*Canterbury Christ Church University has appointed Adrian Adams, former manager of professional training for Kent Social Services, as head of the department of social work, community and mental health. Ian Ellery, former head of IT at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, becomes head of the computing services department.
* Napier University has named Tim Waterstone, founder of Waterstone's booksellers and former chairman of HMV Media Group, as the new chancellor from November 2007.
* Swansea University has appointed Dennis Patterson as professor of jurisprudence and international law from September 2007. He is currently distinguished professor at Rutgers University, New Jersey, a member of the New York Bar, member of the board of editors for Ratio Juris and the Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, and is on the board of directors for the Research Centre for Legal Methodology in Trento, Italy.
* Gerald Vinten has been appointed chief inspector at the British Accreditation Council. He was previously principal/ vice-principal and head of four private colleges after he had spent 18 years in the state sector and acted as UN special adviser to the Chinese Government.
* Robert Gordon University has appointed Murray Strachan, managing director of Strachan and Partners, chief executive of Albyn Ventures and senior strategic advisor to Petrofac, as honorary professor in the Business School.