Paul Light, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Winchester, was brought up in Weymouth in Dorset and studied Psychology from 1966 until c 1974 at St John's College, Cambridge, where he obtained an MA and also a doctorate.

He held a professorship in Psychology at the University of Southampton, and a professorship in Education at the Open University, before becoming Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Bournemouth University. He was appointed Principal of King Alfred's College, Winchester, in 2000. King Alfred’s College evolved into the University of Winchester in 2005 with Professor Light as its first Vice Chancellor. He retired from the University of Winchester in April 2006, and is a current member of the Board of Governors of the University of Portsmouth.