Richard Lister, the vice-chancellor of the UK’s newest university, has been recognised for services to higher education in a career spanning almost 40 years.

Originally from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, the University of York graduate has worked at Brunel and Hull Universities in education liaison, widening participation and regional development of higher education.

In 2004 while working at the University of Essex, he moved to a project to develop plans for University Campus Suffolk (UCS), a unique venture involving two universities and five colleges of further and higher education in the establishment of a new higher education institution.

The project moved rapidly from initial outline thinking in 2004 to the opening of UCS in 2007 and its subsequent rapid growth both in student numbers and its modern campus in Ipswich.

In 2014 UCS began the application process to become an independent university and in 2015 UCS was awarded the significant step of Taught Degree Awarding Powers, allowing the institution to apply for full university Title.

• On August 1 2016, the University of Suffolk was established.

Mr Lister’s leadership and dedication for establishing the new university has been widely credited. He has received an OBE for services to Higher Education in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

He said: “I feel incredibly honoured, delighted and very surprised. My first thought was that this ought to be shared by everyone who worked tirelessly in achieving the ambition of creating an independent university for the county.

“I believe passionately that we are here to improve the lives and opportunities of the communities that we serve and to deliver the best education we can for Suffolk.”

• See here to read about every Suffolk recipient in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Professor Will Pope, chair of the University of Suffolk Board, said: “Richard’s passion and dedication to education and to the University of Suffolk is clear for anyone to see.

“It was through his unwavering leadership that the university was able to achieve independence in a timeframe that was unprecedented, an achievement of enormous significance to the county of Suffolk.

“He has done a huge amount for education not just in Suffolk but in his other appointments as well, especially in raising aspirations and widening participation. This honour is thoroughly deserved and I offer Richard my warmest congratulations.”