SIR Bob Murray, the former chairman of Sunderland Football Club, will be installed as Leeds Metropolitan University's new Chancellor on Monday.
Sir Bob, who was born in Consett, County Durham, is a renowned businessman, philanthropist, and enthusiastic supporter of education.
His extensive experience in the fields of property development and
sport saw him appointed project director by the Football Association for its new £100m national football centre, St George's Park, which was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The university announced Sir Bob was to be their new figurehead last October.
As an alumnus of Leeds Met, Sir Bob's links with the university go back to 1969 when he moved to Yorkshire to study accountancy part-time at the university's predecessor institution, Leeds Polytechnic.
In 2008, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration by the university for his contribution to business and sport.
Following next week's offical ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Leeds will offer Sir Bob a civic welcome.