Aberdeen University has appointed a former student as its new principal.
Current principal and vice-chancellor Sir Ian Diamond will retire this summer after eight years at the helm, and will be replaced by Professor George Boyne.
Prof Boyne is currently pro vice-chancellor at Cardiff University and is head of the college of arts, humanities and social sciences.
Originally from the Granite City, Prof Boyne is a double graduate of the Aberdeen University but has spent the majority of his academic career in Wales.
He and his wife Jennifer have two grown up sons, Alec and Murray, who are “looking forward” to visiting their parents and spending time in the north-east, according to the university.
He said: “It is a great honour to have the opportunity to serve the students, staff and external partners of the university in this role.
“The university has had an outstanding record of academic achievement for over 500 years and is recognised as a prized educational, social and economic asset for the city of Aberdeen and the whole of Scotland.
“I am looking forward to leading the university in its ambitions to be inclusive, inter-disciplinary and international in reach and quality across the full range of its teaching and research.”
University chairman Martin Gilbert said: “We are extremely fortunate to have secured the appointment of George Boyne to lead the University and to drive forward our ambitious agenda for growth, excellence and internationalisation. “He brings to the role a wealth of knowledge and experience of the higher education sector coupled with an enormous energy and enthusiasm for success.
“This is a great opportunity to position Aberdeen not just as a leading Scottish University but as a global institution and I look forward to working closely with him in the delivery of our strategic objectives.”
Sir Ian first took up the role in April, 2010.
He was knighted in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to social science and higher education and was also appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeen in 2013.
