THE University of Winchester’s vice-chancellor has been elected head of a national organisation.

Prof Joy Carter has been named chairman of GuildHE, which represents the heads of British higher education institutions.

She said: “I am delighted to be appointed as the new Chair of GuildHE. It is more important than ever to make sure that smaller, specialist, higher education institutions have a voice within the sector.”

Prof Carter will take over from Prof Ruth Farwell, whose term ends in November 2013.

Prof Farwell, vice chancellor of Buckinghamshire New University, added: “I know that Joy shares the values of GuildHE members as specialist, student-focused, high-quality teaching institutions with an important contribution to the sector.”