Tim Waterstone, the founder of Waterstone's Booksellers and former chairman of HMV Media Group, was named yesterday as the new chancellor of Napier University in Edinburgh.
For many years a lecturer throughout Britain and Europe on entrepreneurial affairs, he will be officially inaugurated on November 15 as part of the university's November graduations.
Mr Waterstone said: "I am honoured to have been given this exceptional opportunity. I have long been aware of Napier University and its reputation for forward-thinking and confident graduates.
"In addition I have been impressed by its strong international connections, particularly with China, which are a credit to the university and to Scotland.
"I am keen to draw from my own experiences to link in with the curriculum in the areas of business, music and the centre for entrepreneurship to name just three.
"There are also several exciting new initiatives which I am very keen to get involved in and take forward in my role."
Dr Andrew Cubie, chairman of the Court of Napier University, said: "We have been determined to find a worthy successor to Viscount Younger of Leckie as our chancellor.
"In Tim Waterstone we have found such an individual. Tim holds dear our values of providing access to higher education to all in society, but particularly those from less advantaged backgrounds.
"He is also the embodiment of entrepreneurship, another of our long recognised attributes."
Professor Joan Stringer, Principal and vice-chancellor of the university, added: "With a keen interest and expertise in education, Tim Waterstone is the perfect choice."
Reputed for changing the face of British book retailing, Waterstone's was one of the largest and most successful venture capital entities of its time. Glasgow-born Mr Waterstone founded the book firm with £6000 of redundancy money he received from WHSmith in 1982.
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