THE co-founder of the television production company behind programmes like Horrible Histories and The Cube has been named as the next rector of Edinburgh University.
Steve Morrison of All3MediaSteve took 2666 votes in the election, winning 62 per cent of the total vote.
He beat off a challenge from the serving rector, Peter McColl.
Mr Morrison said: "I am delighted that the University of Edinburgh's staff and students have supported my vision for the future of education and will bring it to life in the modern world.
"I will do everything I can to repay their trust. Edinburgh is a great university."
Mr Morrison studied politics at Edinburgh in 1965 and holds both an undergraduate degree and an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science from the university.
He currently sits on the advisory board of the Edinburgh College of Art.
After university, Mr Morrison attended the National Film and Television School and joined Granada Television in 1974.
He formed Granada Film, which won two Oscars with My Left Foot.
He later became the Director of Programmes and then Chief Executive of Granada.
He left to found All3Media, Britain's largest independent TV production group employing hundreds of staff.
Mr Morrison was instrumental in the formation of the campaign group Third World First, which went on to become the anti-poverty organisation People and Planet.
Tracey Slaven, Deputy Returning Officer and Deputy Secretary in Strategic Planning, said: "We are delighted to welcome Steve Morrison as the next Rector of the University of Edinburgh and look forward to working with him."
The primary role of the rector is to preside at the University Court. They work closely with staff and the Edinburgh University Students' Association.
Previous rectors include Prime Ministers Sir Winston Churchill and WE Gladstone, the first Green politician Robin Harper MSP. scientist Sir Alexander Fleming, ctor James Robertson Justice, Herald writer Iain Macwhirter, television presenter Muriel Gray, musician Donnie Munro and footballer John Colquhoun.
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