David Melville

Sir David Melville, (born 4 April 1944) is a British physicist, academic, academic administrator, and public servant. He was Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University from 1991 to 1996, Chief executive of the Further Education Funding Council for England from 1996 to 2001, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent from 2001 to 2007.

Early life and education Melville was born on 4 April 1944 in Gateshead, Durham, England. He was educated at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, then an all-boys grammar school in Clitheroe, Lancashire. He then moved to Lancashire Polytechnic where he had been appointed Professor of Physics and head of its School of Physics and Astronomy. As such, he was in charge of the £3 billion yearly budget for further education and sixth form colleges in England. In the 2007 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed a Knight Bachelor "for services to Further and Higher Education", and was therefore granted the title sir.

In 1978, Melville was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Physics (FInstP). In 2000, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) degree by the University of Derby. In July 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Civil Law (Hon DCL) degree by the University of Kent.

Personal life Melville is married to Hilary.