A UNIVERSITY has selected its successor to its outgoing and long-standing vice-chancellor.

The University of Brighton has appointed Professor Debra Humphris as new vice-chancellor to replace Professor Julian Crampton who announced his intention to retire after a decade in the post earlier this year.

Currently vice provost (education) at Imperial College London, Prof Humphris will take up her new role on December 1.

Prof Humphris is a registered nurse and has previously worked at the South Thames Regional Health Authority and St George’s Hospital Medical School before joining the University of Southampton in 2000 as director of the new generation project.

She became pro rector (education) at Imperial College in October 2012 and was then appointed vice provost (education) in August 2013.

She said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have the privilege to become the next vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton.

“This is a successful institution with a very exciting future and I look forward to working with students, the Students’ Union and with staff as we step up to the next level.”

Prof Humphris will take over the leadership of the university, which has 21,000 students studying at five campuses across Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings, from Prof Crampton who is retiring after a decade in the role.

Prof Crampton has been credited with overseeing a major expansion of the university during his tenure including £100 million worth of investment in new halls of residence, research facilities, teaching and learning facilities.

He is also credited with helping to secure an additional £17.4 million of government funding towards future major developments in Circus Street, Preston Barracks and the Advanced Engineering Centre on the university’s Moulsecoomb.

He said: “I’d like to warmly congratulate Professor Humphris on her appointment. Her credentials as an outstanding academic and an inspiring and dynamic leader will, I know, guide the University of Brighton to further success.”

Lord Mogg, chairman of the university’s board of governors, said: “Our recruitment campaign attracted an exceptionally high calibre of applicants.

“We are delighted Professor Humphris has agreed to become our new vice-chancellor, she brings a wealth of experience and skills as an innovator with a proven track record of delivering high-quality results and with a driven commitment to ensuring a first-class student experience.”

“Professor Humphris’s skills and expertise go hand-in-hand with this institution’s ambitions and ethos.

“She is the right person to build on our achievements and to lead the university to even greater success.”