Professor Martin Hall has been appointed as the new chair of Jisc, succeeding Professor Sir Tim O’Shea after his very successful tenure.
The appointment, announced today by UUK,GuildHE and AoC following an open and competitive selection process will see Professor Hall taking up his position in January 2014. He has been closely involved with Jisc a member of the board since 2011 and became a trustee in December 2012 when Jisc was incorporated and became an educational charity.
Professor Sir Tim O’Shea, vice-chancellor and principal at the University of Edinburgh has provided exceptionally strong leadership, guiding Jisc through a challenging time for higher and further education. He has overseen a series of changes in the organisation, notably its move to charitable status and the development of a more focused, impactful and clear customer-focused ethos.
Professor Hall has been vice-chancellor of the University of Salford since August 2009. He joined Salford from the University of Cape Town where he was deputy vice-chancellor for six years. His career has been characterised by a passion for innovative research, teaching and learning – particularly through the use of advanced digital and new media.
Professor Martin Hall said:
“Sir Tim will be a very hard act to follow, but I am looking forward to the challenge. Under his leadership and direction Jisc has developed into an organisation with greater customer focus. He has also secured successfully the next generation of digital connectivity and national infrastructure for UK education and research with the implementation of Janet6.
“I am very much looking forward to working with the board of trustees and the Jisc team across the UK. I recognise this role will be key in overseeing the change and continuing development of Jisc to ensure it makes its crucial contribution to the UK higher education, further education and skills sectors most efficiently and effectively.
“Jisc has a crucial role, as a trusted partner, in helping the education and research sectors to embrace the use of digital technologies for advantage.”
Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of UUK commenting on behalf of UUK, Guild HE and AoC said:
“We are delighted that we have been able to name Professor Hall as the next chair of Jisc. He has huge strategic leadership experience and knowledge in areas such as open access and digital technologies. This expertise will be invaluable in continuing Jisc’s already impressive progress towards achieving its strategic vision and mission.”
