Sir Muir succeeds Sir Graeme

(Photograph) - Scotland's top civil servant, Sir Muir Russell, is to be the next principal of Glasgow University, succeeding Sir Graeme Davies in September 2003.

Sir Muir, permanent secretary to the Scottish Executive since devolution three years ago, is a Glasgow graduate with a first-class honours degree in natural philosophy. He was born in 1949 and joined the Scottish Office in 1970. In 1998 he was appointed permanent under-secretary of state at the Scottish Office, and played a key role in the process of devolving government to Scotland with the setting-up of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive.

Sir Graeme said: "Sir Muir's wide-ranging experience, his innovative and effective style of management and the qualities of energy and leadership he has demonstrated in his strong supportfor the modernisation of government will service the universitywell in the future."

Next year Sir Muir will also lead the Scottish Executive through the first Scottish parliamentary elections since devolution.