The current vice-chancellor of the University of Dundee, and former chief executive of the NHS, Sir Alan will take up the post on 1 April 2008, when the current chief executive David Eastwood moves to become vice chancellor at the University of Birmingham.
Cash for teaching and research
HEFCE is a non-departmental public body, set up by the government in 1992. It distributes public money for teaching and research to universities and colleges. It aims to promote high quality education and research, within a financially healthy sector.