The University of the Highlands and Islands has appointed Professor Clive Mulholland as its next principal.

Mr Mulholland, who is currently deputy vice-chancellor at the University of South Wales, replaces James Fraser who retired in December.

A biomedical scientist with expertise in clinical biochemistry and online learning, Mr Mulholland has worked in the scientific civil service and in the NHS as well as the universities sector.

A native of Bangor, in Northern Ireland, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Chartered Scientist.

Mr Mulholland said: "I am delighted to be joining the university at an exciting time of its development."