Edge Hill University has appointed Nick Braisby as its interim vice-chancellor after its former leader left after only nine months in charge.
Michael Young departed the Omskirk-based institution in February, citing “personal reasons”. He started his post last June, replacing the UK sector’s longest-serving vice-chancellor, John Cater, who held the position for 32 years.
Young, a former deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Sunderland, has since started working as a consultant.
His departure with immediate effect shocked staff at the institution, with some telling local newspaper the Liverpool Echo that there was a “vacuum” at the top of the university and it was in “freefall”.
The vice-chancellor’s responsibilities have since been carried out jointly by chief operating officer Lynn Hill and pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange George Talbot.
