Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, has been appointed the new chairman of the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment (UKSCQA).

Prof Beech succeeds Professor Andrew Wathey (outgoing Vice Chancellor at Northumbria) as chair of the committee, which provides sector-led oversight of higher education quality assessments.

Commenting on the appointment, Prof Beech said: “I am delighted to take up this role with the UK Standing Committee for Quality Assessment.

“The quality of assessment in the UK is regarded as an exemplar around the world  and the UKSCQA, under the leadership of Professor Andrew Wathey, has made a major contribution to maintaining fair and rigorous standards, most recently during the very challenging times of the pandemic.

“I am excited to build on this good work and continue working in partnership with students and across the four nations to enhance our learning and support future quality development in assessment across the UK.”

Professor Clare Peddie, Vice Principal for Education (Proctor) at the University of St Andrews, will be the first deputy chair of the committee in a newly created role.

Both Professors Beech and Peddie will serve in these roles for three years and oversee their first meeting in June 2022.

Prior to his role at Middlesex, which he began in February 2020, Prof Beech has held the roles of Vice-Principal, Provost at the University of Dundee and Vice Principal at the University of St Andrews.

He is President of the British Academy of Management, Chair of AccessHE, Treasurer of the Academy of Social Sciences and a member of the board of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

The UKSCQA committee has members drawn from regulated providers in England and Wales and publicly funded universities and colleges in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Student interests are represented by both the National Union of Students and individual student members.

Membership is also drawn from the four UK higher education funding/regulatory bodies, sector bodies and regulatory partners.