THE first chairman of the Exeter Science Park company has been appointed.

Professor Sir William Wakeham will officially join in October. Having been vice-chancellor of Southampton University since 2001, he has established strong links with business and industry sectors, at regional, national and international level.

Prof Wakeham is a graduate of the University of Exeter, where he completed both his first and higher degrees in physics and from which he holds an honorary degree.

A chartered engineer and a chartered physicist, he was knighted in this year's Queen's birthday honours for services to chemical engineering and higher education.

Prof Wakeham said: "I am delighted that nearly 40 years of experience will be put to good use in driving this exciting and vital project forward.

"I am totally committed to Devon, where I have lived for more than 20 years, and I look forward to being involved in this development, which will bring employment, knowledge and investment to the people of Devon and the wider region."