The Department for Education and Skills is, after all, on the lookout for a former vice-chancellor to replace Alan Wilson, who is standing down as director-general for higher education in September. The decision to look outside Whitehall for a replacement has been driven by David Bell, the Permanent Secretary, who himself came from outside the department. Two names already being talked about in the sector as potential successors are David Watson, former vice-chancellor of Brighton University; and Sir Clive Booth, former head of the Teacher Training Agency.