Lancaster vice-chancellor switches to Southampton

The University of Southampton has appointed Mark E Smith as its next vice-chancellor.

Smith, who is vice-chancellor at Lancaster University, will take over from Mark Spearing, who has been acting vice-chancellor since Christopher Snowden retired on 8 March.

Smith will start the role on 1 October with a salary of £287,000. “It is a tremendous privilege to be appointed the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Southampton. I am very excited to be joining a university that is so committed in its vision and strategy to achieving dual excellence in its educational offering and research,” he said.