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Honours from the University of Teesside

24 November 2006

 

The following six individuals have received Honorary Degrees from the University of Teesside at Middlesbrough Town Hall, today, Friday 24 November. They are:

Richard Griffiths, Doctor of Letters. Richard was born in Thornaby, studied drama at Stockton & Billingham College and has gone on to a distinguished stage, screen and television career. Richard has been awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play, and the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play, all for his role in the Alan Bennett play The History Boys. Film roles include Uncle Monty in Withnail and I and Uncle Vernon Dursley in the Harry Potter films. His television series include Pie in the Sky and the critically acclaimed version of Bleak House.

Steve McClaren, Doctor of Professional Studies. Steve was Manager of Middlesbrough Football Club from 2001-2006, giving up this role in June 2006 to become Head Coach of the England Football Team. Under his management Middlesbrough FC won the Carling Cup, qualified for Europe twice, reaching the UEFA Cup Final last season.

Steve McClaren said: “Due to living in the Teesside for the past five years, I realise what an important role the University plays in the area. I was delighted to be awarded an honorary degree.”

Marek Reichman, Master of Science. Marek Reichman graduated from Teesside Polytechnic in 1989 with a BA (Hons) Industrial Design. He achieved an MA in Transport Design at the Royal College of Art. Marek’s career began with Rover Group. He then became Senior Designer at BMW Designworks/USA in California. Marek came back to the UK to establish a design studio, went back to the US to work for Ford/Lincoln Mercury in California as Chief Designer, and in 2005 became Director of Design for Aston Martin in the UK. He designed James Bond’s new car, the DBS, for the soon-to-be released Bond film, Casino Royale. Marek also met actor Daniel Craig, the new Bond, during location filming in Prague.

Moira Britton OBE, Doctor of Professional Studies. Moira was Chief Executive of the Tees and North Yorkshire NHS Trust from 1999 to 2006. She was awarded the OBE in 2003 and served as Chair of the County Durham and Tees Valley Workforce Development Confederation. In addition, she served as a member of the Executive Group of the National Mental Health Partnership. In 2006 she won the Kate Smythe ‘Making a Difference Award’ by the National Mental Health Partnership.

Professor Sir Alan Wilson, Doctor of Laws. Sir Alan went to school in Darlington and is now the Master of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Previous to this he was the Director General of Higher Education, the Vice-Chancellor of Leeds University and Assistant Director of the Centre for Environmental Studies. He is a hugely distinguished academic and a passionate believer in widening participation.

John Hackney, Doctor of Laws. John Hackney was Chair of the University’s Board of Governors for ten years. Before this role he served as a University Governor for many years and gave outstanding service to the University. In addition, he was Chief Executive of the Tees and Hartlepool Port Authority and Chair of the Post Office Users’ National Council.


 
 
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