Honorary graduates
Honorary Graduates from Teesside University
Each year we confer honorary awards upon individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievement in their field, their contribution to the region or society or service to the University.
Recipients come from the worlds of science, art, academia, industry, politics, medicine, entertainment and include former staff and students. Honorary graduates include Steve McClaren, Richard Griffiths, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Ray Harryhausen.
The honorary awards are conferred at the final awards ceremony of Academic Awards week, in November each year.
2009 Honorary Graduates
Trevor Arnold MBE, Doctor of Business Administration
Trevor Arnold is the former Managing Director of Thornaby-based K Home International where he spent 21 years securing contracts for Teesside. These contacts included the development of an 800-bed hospital in Abu Dhabi, as well as work on Dubai’s Atlantis Hotel – the world’s second seven-star hotel. Trevor saw the company win two Queen’s Awards for outstanding achievement in international trade.
Trevor Arnold MBE, Doctor of Business Administration
Duncan Bannatyne OBE, Doctorate of Business Administration
Entrepreneur, Duncan has been part of BBC2’s Dragons' Den since the show was first screened in January 2005. Aspiring entrepreneurs pitch for investment from five venture capitalists willing to invest their own money in exchange for equity.
Born in Clydebank, Scotland, Duncan began his entrepreneurial life by car trading, but an ice cream van purchased for £450 changed the direction of his life. He eventually sold the business for £28,000, founding a nursing home business which he then sold for £46 million. He has since expanded into health clubs with the Bannatyne's chain, and also owns bars, hotels and property. In 2004, he was awarded an OBE for his services to business and charity.
Adele Parks, Doctor of Letters
Adele comes from Stockton and studied English Language and Literature at Leicester University. She has sold over 1.5m copies of her romantic fiction novels in the UK with nine top ten bestsellers. Adele’s books have been translated into over 15 languages and she was official spokesperson for World Book Day in 2006 and 2007. She is also a supporter of numerous charities.
Adele Parks, Doctor of Letters
Paul Rodgers, Doctor of Letters
Singer-songwriter Paul Rodgers was born in Middlesbrough and the founding member and main songwriter of the bands Free, Bad Company and The Firm with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page. Since 1968 he has toured internationally and recently as Queen + Paul Rodgers and as a solo artist. He has released 30 albums and sold over 90 million records. He has consistently been voted number one vocalist of all time. He and his wife Cynthia quietly support over 30 varied charities internationally and in 2008 he received the prestigious US Congress Proclamation for his humanitarianism, of only eight awarded.
Paul Rodgers, Doctor of Letters
John Sentamu, Doctor of Laws
Dr John Sentamu was appointed Archbishop of York in 2005 and is the Archbishop for the area in which Teesside University is located. Dr Sentamu is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda and practiced at the Bar and the Bench before he came to the UK in 1974 to study Theology at Selwyn College Cambridge where he obtained his master’s degree and doctorate. He is an outspoken speaker on a number of issues including modern day slavery, injustice and conflict.
Rob Smedley, Doctor of Professional Studies
Rob Smedley is originally from Normanby, Middlesbrough. He has built an outstanding career as an engineer in Formula 1 racing, first with Peugeot, followed by Williams and Jordan. He moved to work for Ferrari in 2007 and later was appointed as Felipe Massa’s race engineer. He is widely recognised as being one of the most respected engineers in the whole of Formula 1.
Rob Smedley, Doctor of Professional Studies