A NEW Faculty Dean has been appointed to the South-West of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).

Professor Nick Sparks will be responsible for overseeing SRUC’s activity across the region. Including the teaching and research centre in Ayr.

Professor of Avian Biology at the University of Edinburgh’s Roslin Institute, Professor Sparks also has a current role at SRUC as Animal and Veterinary Science Group Manager.

He joined the Poultry Science Department at the West of Scotland Agricultural College in 1989 and became Head of what became the SAC’s (now SRUC) Poultry Science Department in 1995.

He said: “I am delighted to be taking up this new post and to have the opportunity to help develop a programme of growth for SRUC and its stakeholders in the South West of Scotland.”

Professor Jamie Newbold, Academic Director at SRUC, added: “Professor Sparks brings an extraordinary wealth of expertise and experience to his new role at SRUC.

"He will play a vital role in delivering our academic strategy in what is truly the dawning of a new era.”