Liam Earney appointed JISC executive director for digital resources

Jisc has appointed Liam Earney as executive director for digital resources. From 1 August, Earney will lead on a portfolio of services containing licensing, library, content, discovery and open access as well as Jisc’s provision of the UK Data Service.  

Earney said: 'I’m honoured to be taking on the leadership of the digital resources directorate at this exciting and important time. The range of new services we are developing, such as Library hub and Open research hub as well as the integration of our Jisc Collections and Chest licensing services will deliver essential infrastructure on behalf of the sector, providing efficiencies and enhancing service and performance.' 

Earney will be responsible for launching the Open research hub, a new service that offers a one-stop-shop for managing, preserving and sharing digital research data. He will also lead the continuing transformation of Jisc’s suite of library support services bringing together its discovery, cataloguing, acquisition, subscription management and analytic services. 

Keith Cole, the outgoing executive director of digital resources, plans to retire towards the end of 2020. In the coming months, the two will work together on open science developments, while Cole will primarily focus on improvements to business processes and efficiencies. From 1 August, Cole's title will be executive director - business process improvement.