Professor Henderson has been awarded the CBE for his services to higher education. The honour recognises the major role Professor Henderson has played in leading Teesside University to its current highly respected position in the higher education sector and the wider national role he has played in the development of higher education in the North East and nationally over the last 35 years.
This culminated in Teesside winning the national University of the Year award in 2009/10, the first modern university to do so.
Graham has overseen massive growth and major developments at Teesside, with the University more than doubling in size and turnover since he became Vice-Chancellor. Professor Henderson became Vice-Chancellor in April 2003 - he joined Teesside in February 1999 when he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Development). Professor Henderson started his academic career in 1975 at Nene College (now the University of Northampton) after which he spent 17 years at Northumbria University (formerly Newcastle Polytechnic) where he became one of the founding Directors of the Newcastle Business School in 1989 - a school which went on to gain an 'excellent' rating in 1995.
He then became Director of the Business School at the University of Sunderland. Graham has over 20 years senior management experience and has actively engaged with the development of higher education regionally and nationally through his involvement in a wide range of high profile roles within educational and professional organisations. Graham lives in Guisborough with his wife Joan, and has three children Nicola, Robert and Michael.
Professor Henderson said: 'I feel honoured and privileged to have received the personal recognition of a CBE. I thought that leading Teesside to the award of University of the Year was the pinnacle of my professional career but receiving this honour is just truly amazing. I have been fortunate to be associated with a lot of success throughout my working life, which has been down to the efforts of a lot of people, but it is nevertheless very flattering and pleasing to know that my personal contribution to that success has been recognised and appreciated by others. 'I would like to say a huge thank you to my family, my Chancellor, my Chairman and all of my colleagues in the University, the sector and the North East for their ongoing support, without which I would not have been able to achieve so much – it is a very happy day in the Henderson family.' Chairman of the University Board of Governors Sandy Anderson OBE added: 'Graham Henderson has shown exceptional leadership over the last eight years and this richly deserved award will be acclaimed across the whole of our region and throughout the higher education sector.'
Absolutely outstanding chief executive The Chancellor of Teesside University, Lord Sawyer of Darlington said: 'I am absolutely thrilled for Graham and for his family. He is an outstanding and inspirational Chief Executive and I feel very proud to work with him.'