Teesside University honours for esteemed trio

Three outstanding individuals from the arenas of football and education have each been recognised for their contribution to our region during Teesside University’s academic awards.

Honorary doctorates were bestowed on football icon Beth Mead MBE, home-grown entrepreneur and Middlesbrough FC chairman Steve Gibson OBE, and further education stalwart Mark White CBE DL.

They joined Teesside University students celebrating academic success during ceremonies held in Digital Life across five days, from July 7 and 14.

Mark, who received an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law, is a respected education and community leader whose lifelong commitment has helped transform opportunities for generations of learners.

He said: “I arrived at this University fifty years ago and today I’ve got the enormous honour of receiving an honorary degree from our University. To be here receiving this award with my family and friends just means the absolute world to me."

Mark first came to our region in 1976 as a student at Teesside Polytechnic, the forerunner of Teesside University, serving two terms as president of the Students’ Union. He studied BSc (Hons) Social Sciences and later a Diploma in Personnel Management, before going on to build a distinguished career at Teesside University, working for many years as Head of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office and Secretary to the Board of Governors until his retirement in 2016.

Alongside his professional career, Mark has played a pivotal role in further education governance nationally and regionally. National roles include chairing the English Association of Colleges Governors’ Council, the membership body for college sport in England and the charitable arm of English colleges. Closer to home he served as Chair of the Education Training Collective, supporting the development of colleges across the Tees Valley. His wider public service includes roles in schools, health organisations, regeneration bodies and regional boards. Mark’s commitment to education saw him recognised with an OBE in 2016 and later a CBE in 2023. He serves as a Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham.

Mark added: “Further education and higher education enable individuals to success, but equally important, they allow communities to succeed and to flourish.”

Beth, who received an Honorary Doctor of Science, is an internationally known footballer who has played a vital role in shaping women’s sport. Born in Hinderwell, near Whitby, she started playing football at a young age, quickly establishing herself as an emerging talent, starring for Sunderland, before joining Arsenal in 2017, and then moving to Manchester City this year.

At the European Championships 2022, she helped lead England’s Lionesses to a landmark victory. Beth won Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot. Soon after, she was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, becoming the first female footballer to receive the award. Her performance cemented her place in football history and contributed to her being awarded an MBE for services to sport.

Beth graduated from Teesside University with a BA (Hons) Sports Development, later partnering with the institution to launch the Beth Mead Scholarship supporting aspiring female footballers in higher education. Her commitment to championing women’s sport has made her a true role model.

On receiving her honorary doctorate, she said: “It feels a little bit surreal, but I feel very proud and honoured to be here today and to collect such a prestigious award.

“I spent three years here and during my final year I was a full-time professional footballer. I felt very supported from minute one. The University was pretty amazing in my final year, trying to juggle the dissertation with a professional football career.”

Commenting on the Beth Mead Scholarship, she said: “It’s important, I think, knowing the dream at this current age, you can become a professional footballer, but also trying to reiterate the fact that studying, going to university to try to get a degree is just as important. Football unfortunately doesn't last forever. And to be able to support them, to be able to do both and hopefully they can have a good football career at the end of it as well.”

Steve, who received an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, is chairman and owner of Middlesbrough Football Club, having joined the board in 1984 aged 26, as the club’s youngest ever director. He founded global transportation company Bulkhaul Ltd in 1981, going on to lead a consortium that rescued the football club from liquidation in 1986, ensuring its survival and laying the foundations for future growth.

Since becoming chairman in 1994, he has overseen one of the most significant eras in the club’s history. Under his ownership, notable achievements include Middlesbrough spending time in the Premier League, winning the League Cup in 2004, and a memorable run to the UEFA Cup Final in 2006. A prominent figure within the game, he was awarded an OBE in 2016 for services to the economy, sport and the community on Teesside, and awarded Freedom of Middlesbrough following Boro’s League Cup triumph in 2004.

On receiving his honour, Steve said; “It’s fantastic. I was born a ten-minute walk from here, my father was born five minutes from here and my mother two minutes from here. So, to be recognised locally is a great honour.

“The emotion is just gratitude to the town and all it’s given me. The business was built with Middlesbrough people. Teesside University has been a beacon, and there’s a wind of change, and the start was Teesside University.”

His message to those graduating from Teesside University was: “Work hard, nothing else matters. You can have all the ability in the world, and if you can’t apply it, you won’t do very well.”

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