Key appointments for UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire has announced three new key appointments to the university and group board of governors.

Experienced businessman David Taylor has been named as the chair designate of the board while broadcaster Fiona Armstrong and financial services expert Jon Hogan will become board members.

David, who received an honorary fellowship from UCLan in 1996, will take over as chair of the board on 1 August 2014. Over the past 30 years he has been heavily involved in a range of enterprising businesses and has chaired a broad range of initiatives in both an executive and non-executive capacity.

He has been deputy chairman of Preston North End since 1997 and was awarded a CBE in 2007 for his services to the red rose county.

David said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered the position of chair of the UCLan Group and the University of Central Lancashire Board.

“UCLan is at the very heart of everything great about the city. It’s renowned for being a top university which offers a fantastic teaching and learning experience in world-class facilities while the relationship it has with local, regional, national and international businesses is excellent. I'm looking forward to bringing my experience to the Boardroom and helping the university and the wider UCLan Group in the next stage of its exciting adventure.”

David, who is currently the executive chairman of Preston-based DTP, will replace Brian Harris who has been a member of the UCLan Board since August 2001 and has been chair for more than six years.

Malcolm McVicar, UCLan Group chief executive Officer, said: “David was the outstanding candidate for the job. His breadth of experience, his drive and his vision made him the real stand out choice. Following in Brian’s footsteps will be hard as he has been a fantastic supporter of UCLan but I know David will embrace all that this role entails.”

Fiona's distinguished career in broadcast journalism has taken her across the globe. Her role at ITN’s News at Ten saw her cover the Lockerbie bombing and the problem of Aids in Africa. The UCLan honorary fellow, who was born and educated in the city, was the first female presenter of ITV’s GMTV and can now been seen on the BBC News Channel as a newsreader and working as a reporter with Tyne Tees/Border TV.

Jon has spent 20 years working in senior management positions, specialising in financial services. His career to date includes chief operating officer, deputy chief executive officer and chief financial officer roles at international companies including First Direct, ANZ Bank Ltd, Ernst & Young Management Consultancy Services and Bradford & Bingley Plc. Brian, the outgoing chair, wished the three board members well in their new roles and added: “They will bring energy and enthusiasm to UCLan’s endeavours, both at home in Preston and as we develop further UCLan campuses overseas.”