Welsh higher education funding body has four new members

FOUR new members have been appointed to the council of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).

Professor Helen Marshall, ViceChancellor of the University of Salford, Sarah John, a director of Acorn Learning Solutions Ltd, part of the Acorn Group in the UK, James Davies, executive chair of Industry Wales, and Professor Sir Keith Burnett FRS FLSW, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield, took up their roles from December 1.

David Allen, chairman of HEFCW, said: “Following a thorough recruitment process and a strong field of candidates, I am delighted to welcome our four new members to the HEFCW council and look forward to working closely with them.

“Collectively, they bring to the council a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education, work-based learning and business, and are well-equipped to help the council steer Wales’ strong higher education sector as it continues to face significant challenges and opportunities ahead.”

The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales is the public body that sits between universities and the Welsh Government.

It regulates fee levels among higher education providers, ensures a framework for assessing the quality of higher education and scrutinises the performance of universities.

In addition, HEFCW distributes resources for teaching and research in the higher education sector, and helps deliver Welsh Government priorities for higher education.