QAA picks former vice-chancellor as chairman of the board

The Quality Assurance Agency has appointed former Universities UK treasurer Simon Gaskell as chair of its board of directors.

Gaskell, who retired as principal and president of Queen Mary University of London in 2017, will start work with the QAA on 14 March. He takes over from Christopher Banks, who has been chair for the past four years.

He said it was a privilege to be appointed chair of the board. “In challenging times for the UK higher education sector it is widely recognised that the maintenance and enhancement of educational quality are of paramount importance,” he said. “I look forward to working with the board, and with the chief executive [Douglas Blackstock] and his team as we make our contribution to achieving these critical objectives.”