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UCAS appoints new Chief Executive

UCAS has announced that Mary Curnock Cook has been appointed Chief Executive from 1 Jan 2010. She takes over from Anthony McClaran who is to take up the post of Chief Executive of the Quality Assurance Agency.

Mary is currently Director of Qualifications and Skills at the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency. She joined the organisation, formerly known as QCA, in October 2003 to lead on the 14-19 Reform programme, the UK Vocational Qualifications Reform Programme and the Leitch agenda.

The chairman of the UCAS Board, Professor Bob Burgess said: "UCAS is a highly respected organisation, which has delivered a high-quality service for its member institutions and asserted its unique role in UK higher education and internationally.

Mary joins us as our vision to be the world's most successful and valued provider of higher education admissions services is extending into new and exciting areas. I am confident that under her leadership UCAS will continue to go from strength to strength. Mary brings numerous strengths to UCAS having succeeded in a number of key leadership roles in the education and skills sector."

Mary said: "I feel privileged to be asked to lead UCAS at this time of significant challenge for admissions across the education sector. There is an increasing need to join together admissions practices across the sector and to provide the highest quality information, advice and guidance about progression opportunities for a diverse pool of students. At the same time, I look forward to building on UCAS' position as an influential voice in higher education policy and practice through working with the range of higher education institutions in the UK."

Charlotte Knowles
Senior Communications Executive
tel: 01242 544987
email: c.knowles@ucas.ac.uk

Darren Barker
Communications Officer
tel: 01242 545723
email: d.barker@ucas.ac.uk

Notes to editors

  • UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to UK higher education courses.
  • The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is the non-regulatory part of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. It is responsible for the developing the curriculum and the delivery and reform of qualifications and assessment.

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