But Laurence Wood is far from a bookish old professor - away from the world of academia he's a senior instructor in kung fu and a fifth dan black belt.

The 51-year-old is the new boss of the University for Creative Arts in Surrey.

He said: "I am looking forward to the new role and the opportunity to lead an exciting new team who can push the boundaries of the subject and build upon the many achievements to date in terms of establishing the new University as the primary creative hub within the region."

Mr Wood previously worked as head of the college as the university's Canterbury campus and is also an associate professor at a university in Norway.

He started his artistic career in Leicester and holds an MA in painting from the Royal College of Art.

Away from his academic life, Mr Wood has been one of Britain's most senior kung fu instructor since last year when he won his fifth dan black belt.

In 1990, he was crowned South London light-heavyweight kung fu champion.