Skip to main content
School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies

Celebrating academic achievement at Teesside University

20 November 2019

 

An acclaimed writer, producer and film director and a businessman who created a multi-million pound company will both be honoured alongside hundreds of graduates during Teesside University’s winter academic awards.

Franc Roddam and Alastair Powell
Franc Roddam and Alastair Powell

Honorary doctorates will be bestowed on Norton-born Franc Roddam, best known for iconic film Quadrophenia and hugely successful television series Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, as well as Middlesbrough-born Alastair Powell, of Cleveland Cable Company.

They will join around 800 Teesside University graduates celebrating academic achievement on Monday 25 November and Tuesday 26 November. A total of three ceremonies will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall over the two days of celebrations.

Achievement at all levels, from Certificate of Higher Education, through to PhD will be awarded in a wide variety of courses, acknowledging the academic success of students across five academic schools.

They will receive their awards from Teesside University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Professor Paul Croney.

Professor Croney said: 'Graduation is always a highlight of the academic year and is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the academic success of our students who have worked extremely hard to achieve their qualifications.

'I am also delighted to be welcoming two exceptional individuals to receive honorary degrees during our winter graduation ceremonies. They have set extremely high standards in their own professions and I am sure their examples of hard work, dedication and achievement will inspire our graduates.'

Alastair Powell - Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration

Monday 25 November, 4pm ceremony.

Middlesbrough-born Alastair, was brought up in Stokesley. Educated in York at St Olave’s and St Peter’s schools, Alastair later studied at Kirby College in Middlesbrough and then Constantine College, which eventually became Teesside University.

Graduation is always a highlight of the academic year and is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the academic success of our students

Professor Paul Croney, Teesside University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

The dad-of-four started his career in the family business, Arthur Jones electrical wholesale, before founding Cleveland Cable Company in 1978. Operating from rented property in North Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough, the firm bought and sold industrial electrical cables. Today, Cleveland Cable Company employs 600 people in seven worldwide locations.

His interests include squash, gardening and running, with a personal achievement being his completion of the Great North Run in two hours and 29 seconds aged 59.

Franc Roddam - Honorary Doctorate of Arts

Tuesday 26 November, 10.30am ceremony.

Film Director Franc Roddam was born and raised in Norton. His films include Quadrophenia, K2, Aria, Lords of Discipline and War Party. He also produced formats for hugely successful film dramas Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Making Out, and Harry.

He directed the award-winning TV drama Dummy, which won the prestigious Prix Italia Drama Prize. He directed the US mini-series Moby Dick and Cleopatra, which was Grammy-nominated and Golden Globe nominated. Franc also created the worldwide television phenomenon, Masterchef, shown in 150 countries worldwide with around 65 locally-produced versions of the show.

Franc has won awards for his BBC documentaries, Mini and The Family. He is the founder and Chairman of Ziji Publishing, whose many titles include The Last Templar which sold over five million copies worldwide. He is a sponsor and former Governor of the London Film School and is an active member of the Greenworld Campaign.


 
 
Go to top menu