Following a competitive global recruitment search, the Regional Universities Network (RUN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Alec Webb as its new Executive Director.
Mr Webb, who most recently served as the Head of Policy and Member Engagement at London Higher, a place-based university network representing over 40 higher education institutions, comes with a wealth of leadership experience in public service, public policy and advocacy, and economic and corporate consulting.
A graduate of the Queensland University of Technology, Australian National University and University of Queensland, Mr Webb has also worked extensively across the higher education sector in Australia, serving as Acting Executive Director and Senior Policy Analyst at the Australian Technical Network of Universities (ATN) and as Economic Analyst with the Group Of Eight (GO8).
Mr Webb will succeed Dr Caroline Perkins, who after nearly a decade in the role, announced her departure from RUN earlier this year.
RUN Chair and CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Klomp said Mr Webb’s appointment signals the Network’s continued commitment to enhancing the capacity and sustainability of Australia’s regional communities.
“I am delighted to welcome someone of Alec’s calibre to the Network. His profound knowledge of policy and advocacy in the higher education sector, in addition to his strong leadership experience in managing higher education networks, makes him a huge asset to RUN and the regional communities we seek to serve,” Professor Klomp said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr Caroline Perkins for her contribution to RUN and the wider higher education sector. She has played an instrumental role in supporting the growth and development of our regions and their universities and has certainly left big shoes to fill.
“But I am confident Alec is the right person to take RUN forward. He has an enthusiastic and innovative approach that will enable the Network to continue to drive positive outcomes for our regional communities across Australia.”
Mr Webb said he is excited to return to Australia and honoured to lead RUN at this time of great challenge for the global higher education sector.
“As someone who was schooled in regional Australia, I have a personal understanding of the importance of regional education, and the pivotal role regional universities have in their communities, and to the broader Australian economy and higher education landscape,” Mr Webb said.
“The higher education sector is facing unprecedented challenges on a global scale and I look forward to navigating RUN through this next chapter, seizing new opportunities and building upon RUN’s strong legacy of driving change and impact to our regions through transformative research and accessible education.”
Mr Webb commences in the role on 19 July and will be based in Canberra.
Contacts:
Alec will be available for media enquiries & interviews on Monday, 19 July.
Mr Alec Webb, Executive Director
Elle McCosker, Media Adviser, 0403 675 551
Website: www.run.edu.au
Twitter: @RegUniNet #RegUnisHelpRegions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/regionaluniversitiesnetwork