PROFESSOR Vaughan Grylls, a major influence over the growth and success of the former Kent Institute of Art and Design, is to return to his previously successful career as a professional artist.

He is retiring as chief executive officer of the University College for the Creative Arts, which has departments at Canterbury, Maidstone, Rochester and in other towns in the South East.

Prof Grylls has been director of the Kent Institute of Art and Design (KIAD), a founding partner of the new University College, for nearly a decade.

He said: "I feel now is the right time for my return to being a full-time practising artist. I am now in my sixty-second year, so time is of the essence."

He added that he was leaving the new University College "in very safe hands" and that the future of specialist university-level education in the creative arts was now assured.

George Burnett, chairman of the board of governors, said Prof Grylls had made a distinguished contribution to the growth and success of KIAD and was a major force behind the creation of the new University College.