by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Mark Norris, a chartered accountant and senior executive from the financial services sector, is to be the first chief operating officer at the University of Greenwich.

He will manage 600 staff and a £60million budget across the campuses in Chatham Maritime and Greenwich.

Mr Norris will work closely with Vice-Chancellor Professor David Maguire, responsible for the strategic leadership of the university's business and operational services and their contribution to the university's academic strategy.

He will be in charge of non-academic professional services, including finance, human resources, facilities management and student affairs. He will manage approximately 600 staff and a budget of £60m.

He has worked in the UK, US, Australia and Asia, and held senior roles in JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, Jardine Fleming and Price Waterhouse. He was chief operating officer of the Financial Services Authority and Credit Suisse (UK), a private bank.

Mr Norris said: "Greenwich has excellent campuses and facilities and an internationally-recognised portfolio of superb courses. This is an exciting opportunity to leverage my experience and knowledge in this new role and help the university to deliver its ambitious strategy. It will be a great challenge."

Prof Maguire said: "Mark Norris brings us an outstanding track record as an innovative and effective leader, spanning an exceptionally broad-ranging CV.

"His strategic, financial and organisational skills will be great assets for the university and will help us further develop as a leading London university."

Mr Norris takes up the post on May 1.