Graeme Osborn, a York University politics graduate, has been appointed as the Higher Education Funding Council for England's first board member with specific responsibility for the student interest.
Mr Osborn is currently a member of the student advisory board for the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, and was formerly Chair of the 1994 Group Students' Unions and Academic Officer for the University of York students union.
Chair of the HEFCE Board, Tim Melville-Ross, said:
"I’m delighted to welcome Graeme to the HEFCE Board. His appointment reflects HEFCE’s long-term commitment to protecting and promoting the interests of students. Since the 2011 Higher Education White Paper ‘Students at the Heart of the System’ HEFCE has been developing its role to actively consider the student interest perspective in all policy matters and to become involved in related new areas and initiatives."