THE new Chancellor of the University of Bradford has vowed to further develop its reputation on the international stage.

Kate Swann said she will be promoting the institution and its work abroad during her role in business.

She will be officially installed as Chancellor at a ceremony at the university on Thursday after being appointed in April last year .

She succeeds from former international Pakistan cricketer turned politician Imran Khan, who stepped down in November 2014.

Her official duties at the university include handing degrees over to graduating students and to chair the university's court.

She will also be an ambassador for the institution in the UK and internationally.

Mrs Swann, 51, who is also a member of the university's School of Management's advisory committee, said: "It's a huge privilege. I'm thrilled to be taking on the role.

"I will be looking to promote Bradford on the international stage.

"It will be good to see Bradford's work abroad and also how we can further improve it.

"The University of Bradford is one of the most international. It has 120,000 graduates from 170 countries.

"I'm a strong believer of making knowledge work.

"It's a really exciting time to be joining the university.

"I will take a keen interest in the business courses but I will be getting to know some of the other faculties as well.

"The role of Chancellor is an interesting one.

"It comes with a lot of influence but it's not a particularly hands-on role."

Mrs Swan is a former chief executive officer of WH Smith and worked as managing director for Argos and Homebase. Mrs Swann has also held a range of marketing roles at Homepride Foods, Coca Cola and Dixons Group. She is now chief executive officer of food service group SSP.

She was also named one of the 50 most powerful women in business by Fortune magazine in 2006.

London-based Mrs Swan studied for a business management at the university between 1983 and 1986.

She added: "Both the city and the university have changed substantially since I graduated 30 years ago.

"The city itself has developed, particularly the Westfield development, which is completely new.

"It's a homecoming for me. I was thinking when I did my first graduation ceremony before Christmas that I was sitting where the students were 30 years before."

Mrs Swann will also oversee the Bradford Global Achievement Awards on Thursday which recognise individuals in society who have achieved excellence in fields of relevance to the university.

The four people being recognised with awards are Sir Paul Nurse, Nobel Prize winner and President of the Royal Society, round-the-world yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur, Indian economist and philosopher Amartya Sen and Dame Athene Donald, physicist and incoming president of the British Science Association.