UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk has appointed its first Chief Executive. UCS bosses said Bob Anderson, vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, will take up his post in January and lead the project as it starts development of the new campus in Ipswich's proposed 'education quarter'.

UNIVERSITY Campus Suffolk (UCS) has appointed its first Chief Executive, it has today been announced.

UCS bosses said Bob Anderson, vice-chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, will take up his post in January and lead the project as it starts development of the new campus in Ipswich's proposed 'education quarter'.

Prof David Eastwood, vice-chancellor of the University of East Anglia and chairman of the UCS board, said: “All the partners in the project are delighted to appoint Professor Anderson to this important post.

“He is a highly successful business manager with a strong academic track record and will bring vision, energy and commitment to the project as we move into the implementation phase.”

Prof Dave Muller, principal of Suffolk College, one of the project partners, welcomed the appointment. He said: “We have appointed someone with the know-how and the drive to make things happen. This is a very important step in the development of higher education provision in Suffolk, and I am sure he will have the full support of his future staff at Suffolk College.”

The UCS project is the UK's most ambitious higher education development project.

An investment of £106m in the first phase includes a county-wide learning network and a landmark development on the Ipswich waterfront that will provide dedicated university facilities in Suffolk for the first time.

Prof Anderson, 59, said: “UCS is an outstanding opportunity to create something new and different that will bring huge benefits to Suffolk and the east of England

“It is a significant challenge to launch a new campus but we have powerful and supportive partners and it will be a great pleasure to work with them and others in the region.”

What do you think about the UCS? Will you be affected by the development of the education quarter? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

n UCS is expected to be worth £1 million a week to the Ipswich economy.

n UCS will include the Ipswich campus and a number of linked centres in other Suffolk towns. This county-wide campus will be known as the Suffolk Learning Centres.

n The total cost of the scheme is expected to be £150million over ten years. Phase one is expected to cost £75m.

n In November 2004 Suffolk County Council pledged £13m towards buying land for the project.

n The plans include halls of residence for students and car parking.

Weblinks www.suffolk.ac.uk www.ucs.ac.uk