Name : David Latchman
Age : 50
Job : Master of Birkbeck, University of London, and professor of genetics at Birkbeck and University College London
Salary : As published in The Times Higher !
Background : After doing my first degree and PhD at Cambridge University, I spent a period as a postdoctoral researcher at Imperial College London, then moved to a lectureship at UCL. Over the next 18 years, I occupied various positions at UCL, which culminated in my becoming dean of the Institute of Child Health. I moved to Birkbeck at the beginning of 2003.
Working hours and conditions : My role appears to involve a great deal of "eating for Birkbeck" at lunches, receptions and dinners.
Number of students you teach/staff you manage : I am responsible for leading the college, which has about 1,000 staff and 19,000 mostly part-time students.
Biggest challenge this year : Trying to ensure that part-time students and the universities that teach them get a fair deal from the Government and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
How you solved it : This is an ongoing issue, although I think the value of part-time study and the need to support it is being increasingly recognised in our lifelong-learning culture.
Worst moment : The annual meetings with staff who have been turned down in our very stringent promotion procedures and trying to encourage them to move forward in a positive way to produce a successful application in the future.
What is your office like? It is not as large as those of many other heads of institutions. However, I have a splendid view of Birkbeck's new landscaped entrance.
What university facilities do you use? Occasionally, when I do not have a lunch meeting, I will buy one of the excellent sandwiches available in the refectory.
Do you socialise with people at the university? I have lunch with different colleagues almost every day, but usually as part of a meeting to transact business.
Who are the most difficult people you deal? All Birkbeck staff are extremely easy to deal with.
Best excuse for bad behaviour : When I was trying to gather together the chapters for a book I was editing, I was told by one colleague that his chapter was late because his collaborator had gone to Miami with the draft of the chapter and was now trapped in a hurricane.