THE Royal Agricultural University (RAU) in Cirencester has appointed Lucy Meredith as its new deputy vice chancellor.

Dr Meredith joined the RAU on March 1 having previously held the position of Dean of Computing Engineering and Science at the University of South Wales.

She is also a leading environmental health academic with specific interests in environmental health, environmental microbiology, food safety and public health engineering.

Dr Meredith has also held a range of external examining positions and has maintained her research interests through supervision of MSc and PhD students.

On taking the role, she said: "I am delighted to take up the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the RAU which has a key role in developing highly skilled, adaptable and creative graduates to work in the post-Brexit land-based and agriculture sectors.

"I have extensive experience of academic leadership at a variety of levels and I am passionate about working with staff and students to co-create an excellent working and learning environment at the RAU."

Professor Joanna Price, Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University, also commented: "Dr Meredith will be part of a new senior team recruited to lead a programme of transformational change at the RAU to enhance the student experience and improve teaching quality.

"Lucy’s experience of academic leadership and change management will be invaluable."