Exeter College has announced that Professor Sir Richard Trainor has been formally selected as rector of the college.

Prof Trainor, currently principal of King’s College London, will take over the role from current rector Frances Cairncross.

He said: “I am honoured and excited to be succeeding Frances Cairncross, and joining the Exeter family in the college’s 700th anniversary year.

“Exeter is one of the most dynamic, diverse, open and international colleges within Oxford and I look forward to leading the whole college community in even greater academic and fundraising achievements, and with continued global prominence and engagement with alumni, in the years from 2014.”

Prof Trainor will take up his new role on October 1, 2014.