Richard added that he is looking forward to living in the area, getting to know everyone, and focusing on developing both education and research intensity to continue building Plymouth as a global-civic University.

He also praised the work of his predecessor Professor Dame Judith Petts, who retired yesterday, and her team for their work in leading the University so successfully, including sector-leading work around environmental sustainability and widening access to higher education, along with managing finances and delivering significant new development projects.

And he feels the University is in a good place to face the difficulties facing higher education in the UK: