New Development Director appointed

The University's Development Office is to be headed by Mike Smithson. He joins Oxford next month, after four years as Development Director at the University of Cambridge. Looking ahead to his new role as Development Director, Mr Smithson (pictured left) said: `Oxford was the first UK university to establish a properly structured development office, it was the first to open a North American operation, and it was the first to complete a major capital campaign. I am honoured that I have been chosen to head the office and I look forward to working with the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Colin Lucas, in building on a very considerable fund-raising record.' Mr Smithson succeeds Dr Jill Pellew, who retired from the University in September, after five years as Development Director.