The man who was supposed to be the next chief executive of Cambridge Assessment has withdrawn from the role before he was able to take up the post. 

A statement from Cambridge University - which owns the assessment organisation - said that former Pearson executive Bill Anderson would not be taking up the role.

Mr Anderson - who was due to start at Cambridge Assessment on 5 March - was named last month as the successor to Simon Lebus, who is stepping down after 15 years at the company.

“It is with great regret that, for purely personal reasons, I have to withdraw my candidacy for the role of Group CEO of Cambridge Assessment,” Mr Anderson said.

Cambridge University said a further announcement on the future leadership of Cambridge Assessment - which runs the OCR and Cambridge International boards - would be made in “due course”.

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