Stephanie Marshall, who was deputy chief executive (research and policy) at the HEA, took over as new chief executive on 1 August.
She replaces Craig Mahoney, who is leaving to become principal and vice-chancellor of the University of West Scotland, at the York-based institution.
Professor Marshall started her academic career at the University of York, where she researched and lectured on new forms of teaching and learning and leadership in higher education.
She created the university’s first training programme for academic staff – the York Certificate of Academic Practice (YCAP) - which was one of the first programmes to be accredited by the Institute for Learning and Teaching.
Professor Marshall joined the HEA from the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education in January 2012 and has had executive responsibility for accreditation, reward and recognition, international strategy and business development.
Professor Marshall said she was “delighted” to take up her new position and hoped to build on the HEA’s “core service of providing academic staff with professional recognition, networking and development opportunities”.
“We are building an enviable reputation for our research to improve the student learning experience and will continue to add to the body of knowledge related to pedagogy and professional practice,” she said.
“I look forward to strengthening our role on an international level and working with my colleagues across the HEA and on our Board to achieve even greater success in the future.”
Sir Bob Burgess, chair of the HEA, said he was happy with Professor Marshall’s appointment, adding it was “an exciting time for the HEA, with many new developments to progress”.
