Former Quality Assurance Agency CEO Announced as New Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University

St Mary’s University Twickenham is pleased to announce the appointment of former UCAS and QAA Chief Executive Anthony McClaran as its new Vice-Chancellor. The appointment follows an extensive international search.

Mr McClaran joins St Mary’s from the Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) where he has served as Chief Executive since 2015. Prior to moving to Australia, Mr McClaran was Chief Executive of the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (2009-15) and Chief Executive of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) (2003-06). He has held senior roles at the University of Hull and the University of Gloucestershire. He began his career in higher education at the University of Warwick.

Mr McClaran will succeed Prof Francis Campbell. Prof Campbell, who has served as Vice-Chancellor since 2014, is stepping down from his role at St Mary’s at the end of January 2020 to become Vice-Chancellor of University Notre Dame Australia. Mr McClaran will assume his position in April 2020.

Speaking of the appointment, Chair of the University Board of Governors, Bishop Richard Moth, says, “We’re delighted to welcome Anthony to St Mary’s. He brings a wealth of experience of the UK and international higher education sectors which will benefit the University greatly. Anthony will help lead the university to its next stage of development, following the historic achievements under Francis Campbell’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor. We have nothing but warm wishes for Francis as he moves to his new role in Australia at the University of Notre Dame.”

Mr McClaran says, “I am delighted to be joining St Mary’s. The University has a rich history and an unparalleled commitment to the student experience. I look forward to meeting colleagues over the coming months and helping take St Mary’s forward to achieve even more for our current and future students.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Chancellor of St Mary’s University, says, “I thank most sincerely those who have worked so hard to achieve this appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor. While welcoming most warmly Anthony McClaran as our new Vice-Chancellor and assuring him of full support, I express my deepest gratitude to Francis Campbell for his remarkable achievements as the outgoing Vice-Chancellor.”

St Mary’s University recently achieved its highest ever position in all three of the UK-based university league tables. St Mary’s has been rated as the top university in London for student satisfaction. It hosts the only faculties in the UK with the ability to offer ecclesiastical degrees, the Mater Ecclesiae College, and its long-standing Education program was recently re-confirmed as Ofsted ‘Outstanding’. St Mary’s is at the cutting edge of new educational developments, including accelerated degrees in technical theatre and liberal arts, and unique study abroad opportunities.