The new chairman of NHS Tayside has resigned before chairing his first meeting.
Professor Nic Beech, vice-principal of Dundee University, was appointed the board's new chairman last month but is standing down after being appointed head of Middlesex University.
He will take up his new role atw vice-chancellor on February 1.
His departure from Dundee University comes just weeks after Professor Andrew Atherton resigned as principal of the university.
Professor Beech said: "It is with regret that I have to withdraw as chair of Tayside but I have been offered a role which represents a career ambition.
"This does not in any way diminish my belief in the ambitious change programme in NHS Tayside and its leadership and I was excited to be working with the team on a significant change and improvement project."
He added: "It is a great honour to be appointed to Middlesex University. I am delighted to be joining at an exciting time as the University shapes its future strategy, building on the strengths of the faculties, collaboration with students and excellent partnerships in London and internationally.”
An NHS Tayside board member for 18 months, he attended its last meeting on October 31 but was not in the chair.
Health secretary Jeanne Freeman said Professor Beech will be concentrating "full time" on his academic career.
She said: "I wish Professor Beech well in his academic career.
"I have appointed Lorna Birse-Stewart, in her capacity as vice chair, to take over the Chair’s responsibilities in providing the necessary leadership for the Board.
"Mrs Birse-Stewart brings a wealth of experience from her extensive work in the charitable sector and has been on the board for NHS Tayside since 2018.
"I am confident that Mrs Birse-Stewart will continue to ensure that the people of NHS Tayside have the best care experience possible.”
Professor Beech joined Dundee University in October 2014, having previously worked at St Andrews University, where he had been Vice-Principal for Governance, Policy and Planning.
In Dundee he was initially vice-principal and dead of the College of Arts & Social Sciences.
He played a major role in the academic restructuring of Dundee, which moved the University from four colleges to the current model of 10 academic schools and has worked closely with the University Executive Group and the Deans of School.
He has also represented the University on a number of external bodies and has led on its liaison with V&A Dundee.
Professor Beech said: “I have been at Dundee for just over five years, in which time the University has enjoyed significant successes, including being named the University of the Year for Student Experience 2020. I will leave with many fond memories of the University and the city.”
