[5] In 1996, Melville was appointed chief executive of the Further Education Funding Council for England (FEFC) in succession to Sir William Stubbs.
[1][6] As such, he was in charge of the £3 billion yearly budget for further education and sixth form colleges in England.
[1] In the 2001 New Year Honours, Melville was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) "for services to Education".
[7] 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.
[1] In 1997, Melville was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSc) degree by the University of Sheffield.
[9] In July 2008, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Civil Law (Hon DCL) degree by the University of Kent.