ONE of British football's most powerful figures will kick off a new series of lectures at the University of Bradford next week.

Greg Dyke, FA chairman, former Director General of the BBC and chairman of the British Film Institute will speak of his unique position of leading several diverse institutions in a talk calls "leadership in the media, film and football."

It will be the first Vice-Chancellor's annual lecture, set up to bring "distinguished" speakers to the university to talk about their experiences.

The hour long lecture will take place in the university's Norcroft Centre on Tuesday.

Mr Dyke, also chairman of the Ambassador Theatre Group, studied politics at the University of York and enjoyed a long career in journalism and broadcasting, becoming managing director of London Weekend Television and Director General of the BBC.

He retains strong links with his boyhood club Brentwood FC where he was non-executive chairman from 2006 until becoming FA chairman and has been a director of Manchester United. He is also Chancellor of the University of York.

As well as his high profile roles, Mr Dyke has also been in the spotlight for his views on the tabloid press following the phone hacking scandal. He was highly critical of the News of the World and the style of journalism that led to the paper being shut down.

The lectures have been started by Vice-Chancellor Brian Cantor in a bid to bring in demand speakers to the university to "share their thoughts and experience in their field of expertise."

Prof Cantor said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming Greg to the University and listening to what he has to say. He has wide experience of leadership at the highest level across a range of sectors and his insight will benefit us all.”

Other lectures taking place this term include professor of Peace Studies Paul Rogers giving a lecture entitled 'Gaza and its wider implications' on November 12. It will look at the impact of the recent conflict in Gaza on an international level.

The Greg Dyke lecture starts at 6pm.