A NEW man is about to take the reins at one of the region's leading seats of learning.

Professor Brian Cantor will take up his role as vice-chancellor of York University at the beginning of October next year.

He is currently head of the division of mathematical and physical sciences at Oxford University, managing the affairs of eight departments, 1,300 staff, 4,000 students and dealing with a budget of £75m.

Prof Cantor is regarded as a world authority on materials manufacturing and has acted as a consultant for manufacturing companies all over the world. He describes himself as a "confirmed internationalist" and has established links with other universities in the US, Japan, China, Korea, India and Eastern Europe.

He said: "York is an outstanding university with an excellent academic record in teaching and research.

"I am excited by the challenge of leading the University through its next period of development. I am looking forward to working with everyone involved."

Prof Cantor will succeed Ron Cooke who is retiring next summer after more than a decade in the post.