A SCOTTISH university has unveiled its new principal as Professor Craig Mahoney, the current head of a UK-wide skills body.

Mr Mahoney has been appointed head of West of Scotland University, in Paisley, after his work as chief executive of the Higher Education Academy, which aims to improve the quality of teaching at universities.

He was previously deputy principal of Northumbria University and was the founding dean of the School of Sport at Wolverhampton University.

Born and brought up on a farm in Tasmania, Mr Mahoney is a graduate in chemistry and maths from the Tasmanian College of Advanced Education and also holds a Masters degree from Birmingham University and a Doctor of Philos-ophy (Psychology) from Queen's University Belfast.

Mr Mahoney, who will replace principal Professor Seamus McDaid, said: "I am naturally delighted to be appointed as the university's new principal and relish the challenge of my new role."