Alasdair Smith DL is a former professor of economics and vice-chancellor at the University of Sussex and is a former chair of the 1994 Group.
While vice-chancellor, he restructured the university, and helped create the Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
His pro-top-up fees stance resulted in the student union at the University of Sussex calling for a vote of no-confidence in his leadership in a student election in February 2003.
In 2013, there was controversy when his appointment as chair of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body was not renewed for a second term.
[1] At the Competition Commission, his cases included the proposed Barr-Britvic merger, the takeover by Eurotunnel of SeaFrance ferries, and a market investigation into Private Motor Insurance.