New boss named for one of Gloucestershire's most famous businesses
One of Gloucestershire's best-known businesses, famous worldwide as the gateway to every single UK university, has revealed its new vice-chancellor.
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Following its announcement in June 2023 that then reigning chief executive Clare Marchant would be leaving her position at UCAS to take over as vice chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire, there has been no news about her replacement - until now.
Marchant spent six years as the head of the Cheltenham-headquartered Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), through which all applications to UK universities must pass, and which has a turnover of £53.8 million and 480 staff.
We now know that Sander Kristel, chief operating officer at UCAS, will act as interim chief executive until January 2024 when Dr Jo Saxton, the current Ofqual chief regulator of qualifications, will take up the position on a permanent basis.
Dr Jo Saxton said: “There is much work still to be done and I am excited by the prospect of working with, students, providers, staff and all those with an interest, so that UCAS delivers its ambitious plans and continues to put students right at the core of everything we do.”
Trudy Norris-Grey, chairwoman of the UCAS board, said: "We are confident that Dr Saxton is well-placed to lead UCAS as it looks to advance its charitable aims including the broad widening participation objectives across undergraduate study and apprenticeships."
Dr Saxton has worked across almost every phase of education, led multi-academy trusts and served as a senior civil servant in the Department for Education.
She is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and holds masters and doctoral degrees from New York University.
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