Graduate gives back to support business scholarships

A Teesside graduate and leading equity analyst who was able to flourish thanks to a unique scholarship has donated £10,000 to the University to help support budding business students.

Peter Atherton, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Public Administration in 1987, credits his degree from Teesside as a life-changing opportunity and now wants to help other young people to achieve their ambitions.

The Peter Atherton Opportunities Awards are designed to improve academic attainment and employability of Teesside University Business School students.

There will be two awards available for the 2013-14 academic year and each beneficiary will receive £2,500 to support a volunteering opportunity in the first year, a work placement in the second year and to buy course equipment and contribute towards study costs in the third year.

Peter, who is Head of Utility Sector at Liberum Capital, is one of the country’s top ranked equity analysts and is also an acknowledged expert on the renewable energy industries.

Originally from Liverpool, Peter admits he may never have attended university if it were not for a Littlewoods Pools scholarship scheme which aided him financially while he was studying A-Levels.

'I probably wouldn’t be where I am today without that scholarship,” explained Peter.

'Coming to Teesside and getting the degree changed my life and if I can help to make that happen for somebody else, I will be delighted. The scholarship from Littlewoods Pools meant that I was able to come to Teesside and I want to help the next generation of young people do the same.'

As well as the scholarship, Peter puts much of his success down to one telephone conversation with the late Teesside lecturer Alan Parker.

He added: 'I was all set to spend my sandwich year at the NHS in Staffordshire, but the call came through from Alan and he asked if I wanted to go to the cabinet office in London.

'That sandwich year made such a difference. I came back from London having learned how to succeed in a professional environment and the same was true for most of the people on my course.'

The Peter Atherton Opportunities Awards will be structured in such a way to ensure scholars are given opportunities throughout their programme of study – remaining true to his belief that practical experiences made all the difference for him.

'I really want to be able to help young people who might have the talent, the intelligence and the drive to study at Teesside,' said Peter.

'I hope to be able to get rid of those financial barriers that stop people getting involved in valuable activities like volunteering or work placements.'

There are certain criteria to be eligible for the Peter Atherton Opportunities Awards, such as being predicted to gain grades of at least ABB or equivalent and having a low family history of participation in higher education.

Eligible students will be contacted by the University when they apply for their course and will be asked to complete an application form.

Professor Eileen Martin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Student Experience said: 'Our aim is to ensure that all students benefit from targeted support, not just when they start at Teesside, but throughout their time with us and after they graduate.

'The Peter Atherton Opportunities Awards will support that process and help students to access vital opportunities outside of their academic studies, such as volunteering and work placements. Activities like this are so important for developing students’ skills, experience and employability.

'It is fantastic that we can use the generosity of Peter Atherton to directly benefit our students. It demonstrates that he has not forgotten the life changing opportunities that higher education provides and the fact that he wants to help other Teesside University students speaks volumes about his appreciation of his time here.'

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