New Pro-Vice-Chancellor appointed

Professor Malcolm Grant has been appointed a Pro-Vice-Chancellor for three years from 1 January 2002. A Fellow of Clare College, Professor Grant is Head of the Department of Land Economy, a position he has held since 1991.

As Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Grant has been given special responsibility for overseeing the implementation of reforms to the University's governance following serious criticisms, in two independent reports, of its procurement of a new accounts software package (CAPSA).

"The two reports have raised important issues about management responsibility and accountability, and the University's corporate governance. The University faces an important test - learning from our mistakes and taking the necessary action to reform our structures will not be easy, but change must take place," says Professor Grant.

Professor Grant has held a number of positions within the University. He has been a member of the General Board since 1999; of the Standing Committee on Governance of the University since 2000; and of the General Board's Committee on Personal Promotions since earlier this year.

Professor Grant is a barrister, born and educated in New Zealand. He is an expert on planning and environmental law, environmental regulation and local government. He has been since 1996 the Chairman of the Local Government Commission for England, and in 2000 was appointed to be the Chairman of the Government's new Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission. He is an honorary member of both the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

There are two offices of Pro-Vice-Chancellor. The other office is currently held by Mrs Anne Lonsdale, who was reappointed for three years from 1 July 2001.