Become king of the jungle

The Diary was excited by the prospect of an "attractive six-figure salary" on reading last week's advert for a director-general of higher education based in the Department for Education and Skills. The department is seeking someone who "can see both the wood and the trees"; a "persuasive and influential ambassador" who "is credible to the stakeholders involved". Former quality boss John Randall is said to be a possible candidate. Randall, who quit as chief executive of the Quality Assurance Agency in August 2001, was also a contender for chief executive of the government's University of the National Health Service.