Sir David Watson, vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton, is to retire at the end of the next academic year.

The 55-year-old's decision was announced to staff in a letter written by the chairman of the board of governors, Sir Michael Checkland.

It read: "Sir David Watson will retire from the post of vice-chancellor in September 2005. Under his distinctive and distinguished leadership, the university has become one of the leading new universities in this country, recognised for its achievements both in teaching and research.

"The board is naturally reluctant to lose David Watson but pleased to have been able to keep him in Brighton for so long."

Sir David joined Brighton Polytechnic, which became the University of Brighton two years later in 1990.

He has presided over heavy investment in facilities with almost £100 million spent on capital development, including libraries, new student residences and sports facilities in both Brighton and Eastbourne.

Student numbers have grown from 11,000 to 20,000 and the number of academic awards made each year from 3,000 to more than 4,500.

Brighton was recognised by the Sunday Times in 1999/2000 as its inaugural University Of The Year while external assessments of the quality of its teaching and of graduate employment have ranked among the strongest in the country.

Sir David was knighted in 1998 for services to higher education.

Tuesday July 20, 2004