The new Welsh regulator has promoted its chief operating officer to become its next chief executive.

James Owen will replace Simon Pirotte at Medr and will be in charge during the next stage of the development of the body, which oversees both the higher and further education sectors as well as research in Wales.

After becoming operational last August, Medr finalised its first strategic plan earlier this year and has recently begin consulting on its

But Welsh institutions’ financial state has threatened to derail the ambitious plans, with most of the country’s major universities having to cut back because of mounting cost pressures.

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Earlier this year the regulator was tasked by the Welsh government with carrying out a review of higher education courses in Wales and identifying subjects at risk.

Owen, a former Welsh government director who has also previously worked for the UK government, joined Medr at its inception.

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He said he was “only too aware of the challenges and opportunities” that face the sector in Wales.

But he was looking forward to “working closely with our partners to ensure we use the full breadth of Medr’s expertise and levers to deliver a tertiary education and research sector that is resilient and prosperous for our learners, our institutions and for Wales”.

Welcoming the appointment, Vikki Howells, minister for further and higher education in the Welsh government said: “Mr Owen was successful in what I understand was a very strong field and I look forward to continuing to work with him and the wider Medr team as we deliver on our shared ambitions for learners across Wales.”

tom.williams@timeshighereducation.com