Top Oxford post taken by outsider

Dr John Hood was a former adviser to the New Zealand cricket squad

A New Zealander has become the first outsider to hold the post of vice chancellor at Oxford University.

Dr John Hood, former vice chancellor of the University of Auckland, is the first person to be selected for the post from outside the institution.

The former Oxford Rhodes scholar was also a former adviser to the New Zealand cricket squad.

The admission ceremony took place at the St Mary the Virgin church on Radcliffe Square on Tuesday.

His appointment is for at least five years, during which time top-up fees will be one of the main issues he will have to deal with.

It is understood that the vice chancellorship of Professor Hood will be the 295th and that he will be the 270th person known to hold the post.

According to the Encyclopaedia of the University of Oxford many individuals appear to have held the office more than once, and in some periods more than one individual is listed as vice chancellor.