Cambridge University has confirmed the nomination of its first woman chief.

Alison Richard, the current provost of Yale University in the United States, is to become vice-chancellor.

Professor Richard is due to take over the post next year.

The current vice-chancellor, Professor Sir Alec Broers, said he was delighted at the choice.

Social systems expert Professor Alison Richard

He said Professor Richard was an outstanding candidate.

He said: "I am sure that we will have much to gain from her leadership."

Subject to the approval of Regent House, the university's governing body, Professor Richard will take over on 1 October 2003.

The university carried out an international search to fill the position of vice-chancellor.

Professor Anthony Badger, who headed the search, said it was essential the committee chose "someone who was tough, independent and resilient".

He said: "The committee ... believe that she has the appropriate personal style for leading a democratic, self-governing university."

Cambridge University claims to be among the oldest seats of higher education in the world, with colleges dating back to the 13th Century.

The university has had a previous female vice-chancellor, Rosemary Murray, appointed in 1975 to work part-time, when the post was different.

But in the mid-1990s, the vice-chancellor took on a chief executive role.

Financial problems

Professor Richard will enter a higher education system facing financial challenges, as the government decides how students and universities should be funded.

Cambridge University faces financial problems of its own.

In the summer, the university's watchdog warned that a failure to introduce suitable budgeting systems has led to an anticipated deficit of �20m within three years.

Professor Richard was known for "restoring balance to the university's operating budget" during her tenure as provost at Yale.

There, she oversaw a university that has billions of dollars in its endowment fund.

Anthropology expert

Professor Richard, who was born in Kent, studied anthropology at Cambridge and London Universities.

She moved to Yale University in 1972.

An expert on evolution of social systems, she has written two books and numerous articles on her research.

Active in conservation, and a board member of the World Wildlife Fund-US, she was appointed professor of anthropology in 1986 and provost in 1994.

Professor Richard has also been credited with encouraging the recruitment of women to senior academic posts at Yale.