The vice chancellor of the University of Roehampton has been named in the Queen's birthday honours, as the university celebrates the 175th anniversary of its oldest college.

Paul O'Prey has been appointed Commander of the British Empire for his services to higher education and the literary history of the First World War. 

Professor O'Prey has been vice chancellor since 2004 and in 2016, the university was named the best modern university in all three major league tables (The Sunday Times University Guide, Guardian University Guide and Complete University Guide). 

Professor O'Prey said: "It is a huge honour for me personally and also a great accolade for the achievements of our wonderful university as we celebrate 175 years since the foundation of our oldest College. 

"It is an enormous privilege to lead the University of Roehampton and I am intensely grateful to staff and governors for their incredible support.

"Going to university from a working-class background changed my life and I am very proud that today Roehampton is at the forefront of providing life-changing opportunities to very talented young people from the widest possible range of backgrounds and traditions.

"I am extremely proud of our academic strengths and of the commitment to openness and inclusion that continues to be at the heart of our mission."

Professor O’Prey studied at Oxford and gained his PhD from Bristol in 1993.

He spent sixteen years at the University of Bristol before joining the University of Roehampton in 2004.

His publications include a number of books and articles on nineteenth and twentieth century writers, most notably on Robert Graves and the poets of the First World War.

Sir David Bell, pro chancellor of the University and chairman of council, said: "I am delighted for Paul, his family and for the University of Roehampton, which under Paul’s leadership goes from strength to strength."