The University of Suffolk has announced Professor Helen Langton will succeed Richard Lister OBE as vice-chancellor this summer.

Mr Lister OBE, the university’s founding vice-chancellor, announced last August that he would retire in 2018.

Professor Langton will join the University from the University of South Wales (USW) where she is deputy vice-chancellor with specific responsibility for academic, research and business engagement. She will succeed Mr Lister on June 1.

Mr Lister, who will take on the unpaid role of pro-chancellor after his retirement said: “I warmly congratulate Professor Langton on her appointment. It is a wonderful job and she will inherit an institution on the rise, with committed and supportive staff, and excellent students.

“I am sure Helen will prove to be a great success, continuing to take the University forward for the benefit of all the communities we serve. I wish her well; she has my full support.”

Professor Langton, a former nurse who cared for children with cancer, was the previous pro-vice-chancellor and executive dean for health and life and social sciences at the University of the West of England, and the dean of the faculty of education, health and sciences at the University of Derby.

Professor Will Pope, chair of the University of Suffolk Board, said: “(Professor Langton) shares our passion for promoting change and driving forward our vision, building on Richard’s strong legacy. The university is going from strength to strength and we look forward to Helen leading it.”

Details of her salary package were not released. The position is currently paid £187,000 in total, including benefits, pension contributions, and performance-related pay. It comes amid ongoing national concerns over pay. One vice-chancellor is paid £468,000.

A University of Suffolk spokesman said the salary package “remains in the lower decile of vice-chancellor salaries in the country”.

The spokesman added: “(The) Remuneration Committee received comparator data from across the higher education sector and chief executive appointments in the public sector, and was mindful of the recent statements and guidance of sector regulators and other agencies over the public interest aspects of vice-chancellor’s remuneration.”