Eastwood to be next Russell Group chair

Professor Eastwood, who has been head of Birmingham since 2009, will take over at the beginning of September from the current chair, University of Leeds vice-chancellor Michael Arthur.

“I am honoured to have been chosen to chair the Russell Group at this exciting and challenging time for higher education - and research-intensive universities in particular,” said Professor Eastwood.

“The UK boasts world-class universities in terms of reputation, quality, and impact. They play a key role in educating both undergraduate and postgraduate students, carrying out ground-breaking research and developing innovative products and spin-out companies.

“In my term as Russell Group chair I am determined to help ensure that they are able to continue to succeed on a global stage.”

Before his role at Birmingham, Professor Eastwood was chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, a post he had held since September 2006.

Other former posts have included vice-chancellor of the University of East Anglia, and chief executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Board.

He was also a panel member on the 2010 Browne Review, which paved the way for the government to increase the tuition fee cap in England to £9,000.

simon.baker@tsleducation.com