Cambridge confirms first woman head

The vice-chancellor has a chief executive role

Cambridge University has confirmed its first female chief.

Alison Richard, the current provost of Yale University in the United States, said it was "a great honour" to be selected as vice-chancellor.

She will take over the post on 1 October 2003.

Professor Richard said: "Leading a university with nearly 800 years' history and a pre-eminent status on the world intellectual stage is a daunting prospect, but I am looking forward wholeheartedly to the challenges ahead.

Social systems expert Professor Alison Richard

"It is a great honour that the University of Cambridge has chosen me to be its vice-chancellor."

She said she was pleased to follow eminent vice-chancellors, including Professor Sir Alec Broers, Dame Rosemary Murray and Sir David Williams.

Regent House, the university's governing body, confirmed the nomination on Friday.

The university carried out an international search to fill the position.

Historic role

Cambridge University is among the oldest seats of higher education in the world, with colleges dating back to the 13th Century.

The university has had a previous female vice-chancellor, Rosemary Murray, who was appointed in 1975, but the post did not become a chief executive role until the mid-1990s.

Professor Richard, who was born in Kent, studied anthropology at Cambridge and London Universities before moving to Yale University in 1972.