Blair’s biographer is next vice-chancellor of Buckingham

Anthony Seldon, a biographer, the head of the independent Wellington College and a champion of free schools, is to become the next vice-chancellor of the privately funded University of Buckingham in September.

Seldon will take over more than a year after the economist Terence Kealey retired from the role after 14 years. His appointment begins on 1 September and he replaces Alistair Alcock, who has been the acting vice-chancellor since Kealey’s retirement.

Though Seldon is a prominent intellectual on the right, he rose to prominence as a biographer of contemporary politicians including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He is a strong supporter of the previous education secretary Michael Gove’s reforms to devolve decision-making away from local authorities.