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School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies

Celebrating academic achievement at Teesside University

27 November 2019

 

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

Honorary doctorates were 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 were joined by around 800 Teesside University graduates who celebrated their academic achievement during ceremonies held at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Monday 25 November and Tuesday 26 November.

Alastair Powell, managing director of Cleveland Cable Company, received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration.

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.

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 premises on North Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough, the firm bought and sold industrial electrical cables. Today, Cleveland Cable Company employs 600 people in seven worldwide locations.

Alastair said: 'When I look back, it never occurred to me for one second that I would end up having my own business, employing hundreds of people in different towns and cities. What I would say to any student who is thinking of starting their own business, all you need is a bit of luck and a lot of hard work and then anything is possible.'

Acclaimed writer, producer and film director Franc Roddam received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts.

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.

What I would say to any student who is thinking of starting their own business, all you need is a bit of luck and a lot of hard work and then anything is possible

Alastair Powell, Cleveland Cable Company

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.

He said: 'To come back to Teesside to become an Honorary Doctor of the Arts is a fantastic thing. You don’t expect it, especially as I am in my seventies now and you think I have had all the success I am going to get and all the career opportunities I am going to get, then the suddenly out of the blue comes this, which is so charming and I am thrilled.'

He added: 'People in the North-East have big energy, they are quite spirited people who are very charming and I love that about the North-East and that’s why I tried to reflect it in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and in Mini and in Harry. I have a big debt to the North-East.'

Graduates across five academic schools received 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.”

Commenting on the two new Honorary Graduates, he added: “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.'


 
 
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