Member Article

University’s business links are key to success, says airline chief

Teesside University’s links with the region’s industry set aviation chief Graeme Burnett on the path to success, says the man himself.

Mr Burnett, the Senior Vice-President of Delta Airlines, was speaking ahead of receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Teesside University.

He completed a chemical engineering degree at Teesside Polytechnic, graduating in 1976 with a first, and has since pursued a highly successful career in the oil and aviation industry.

Mr Burnett said: “My time at Teesside gave me a very good grounding, one of the main reasons was because I had time in the classroom and also in industry during my four years, it was the perfect recipe and it set me up to go into industry and succeed.

“I worked twice in industry during my four year degree. It was a lot of fun and I learnt a tremendous amount.

“What I remember most is the professionalism of the teaching staff. At that time the University was smaller - about 8,000 students - and so to have such high calibre teachers was great.

“The breadth of the experience was excellent because the teachers had not only academic experience but business experience on top of that and the two combined was a very good mix.”

After graduation, Mr Burnnett joined Foster Wheeler, an engineering construction company, where he worked for four years doing various project management roles including a stint in Iran just before the revolution.

He recalls: “I was back in England on holiday the day before the revolution happened so I left all my stuff there and never went back.”

Following his work with Foster Wheeler Mr Burnett joined Lindsey Oil Refinery in 1980 which then merged with Total Petrochemicals.

He was made Senior Vice-President of Total before moving to Delta Airlines where he currently works and is regarded as one of the most influential people in the industry.

He says his time in the North East left a lasting impression on him, adding: “There are a number of unique things about the North East.

“One is that there is a core base of solid working people that support industry here, a good honest stock of people who like to work.

“Also I love the countryside around the area, walking along the coast - that’s a very fond memory – and of course Newcastle Brown Ale!”

“Getting this honorary doctorate was a huge surprise. I actually thought some of my friends who I’d graduated with were playing a trick on me when I got this letter - when I found out it was true I was very honoured.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .