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The advert for a new President and Vice-Chancellor for the University of the Arts London closed on 22nd June.  Tim Davie was appointed BBC Director General on 5th June - one presumes James Purnell, now styled Director of Audio, saw the writing on the wall, and started his his successful punt at UAL, with interviews held earlier this month. 

He succeeds Sir Nigel Carrington, who was just called "Vice-Chancellor", for which he picked up c£275k p.a. The new role adds "President", and salary was to be 'commensurate with experience', but I guess James is taking a slight tumble from his current £315k  - which might even have been heading downwards with his reduced responsibilities had he stayed with Auntie.  Kremlinologists will note that the tribute to his work at the BBC in the press release comes from Chief Content Officer, Charlotte Moore. Equally, he's leaving at the end of this month, for a job that starts in March next year.

His new fiefdom includes Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. It has recently developed three institutes working across the University: UAL Creative Computing Institute, UAL Social Design Institute, and UAL Decolonising Arts Institute. It boasts 18,000 students, from 130 countries. HQ is High Holborn, handy on the Central Line from James' East End location.