THE top boss of a Southampton university is to leave his position, it has been announced.

Professor Graham Baldwin has led Solent University for the last five years, but will now become the vice-chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire.

In his time there, he has seen the university receive the Times Higher Education award for the most improved student experience, awarded TEF Silver, and achieved the university’s highest ever student satisfaction scores in the NSS.

Before coming to Solent University, Graham worked as deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Central Lancashire.

The professor has worked closely with partner institutions, such as Hong Kong, China and the Middle East, and has received an Outstanding Foreign Expert Award from Hebei Province, China.

Graham has also overseen the university achieve five star scores for teaching and inclusivity in the World University QS Stars Rating System and it was awarded Research Degree Awarding Powers (RDAP) by the Quality Assurance Agency, and an Ofsted ‘good’ rating for the apprenticeship provision.

He has also overseen the opening of the university’s iconic Spark building and most recently the Solent Sports Complex, both of which offer a range of opportunities to its alumni, students, staff and the wider community.

A spokesperson from the university said: “Professor Graham Baldwin has led Solent during a very busy, demanding and rewarding time and his drive and vision have enabled us to achieve our mission to build an excellent university.

“We’d like to thank Graham for his passion and dedication to Solent. We wish him well in his future endeavours and hope that he will remember his time here fondly.

“The Board of Governors will shortly be commencing the recruitment process to appoint his successor.”

In 2014 Graham was also appointed as Honorary Professor at Hebei University in Baoding.