Member Article

Former ‘dragon’ to be next Chancellor of Teesside University

Business leader, entrepreneur and one of the original members of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den Doug Richard will be the next Chancellor of Teesside University.

He will take over the role from Lord Sawyer of Darlington who has been Chancellor since 2005 and whose term of office has concluded.

Doug is an entrepreneur, investor and government advisor known for his award winning work in entrepreneur development in the UK and internationally.

He starred as a dragon in the first two series of Dragons’ Den and holds the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion and the award for Enterprise Educator of the Year from the National Council on Graduate Employment.

He is also the founder of School for Start Ups, an organisation which has provided accelerated business instruction to over 30,000 business owners.

Doug Richard has led on two independent reviews which resulted in influential reports, ‘Small Business and Government’ (2008), commissioned by the Shadow Cabinet and the ‘Richard Review of Apprenticeships’ (2012), for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

He is expected to be installed as Teesside University Chancellor in early 2015.

Doug said: “Teesside is a business facing university with a real focus on innovation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship.

“The progress it has made in recent years and the continual investment in new facilities and buildings make it an exciting proposition for students and business partners.

“I am both excited and honoured to become the next Chancellor of this institution and hope to use my experience and expertise to build on the fantastic work that has gone before me and guide the University through its next exciting chapter.

“I would also like to extend my thanks to outgoing Chancellor Lord Sawyer of Darlington, as well as the Board of Governors, for their recommendation and the support they have given me so far.”

Lord Sawyer, said: “The years I have spent as Chancellor of Teesside University have been some of the most rewarding of my career. It is with great sadness, but also great pride, that I step down.

“I am sure that Doug Richard will be an outstanding Chancellor. He is influential and well known as an active business leader and successful entrepreneur.

“His national connections and ability to provide inspirational guidance and advice will be an asset to the University.”

Chairman of the Board of Governors at Teesside University, Alastair MacColl, said: “The board is delighted that Doug Richard has accepted our invitation and we look forward to welcoming him as our new Chancellor.

“Doug is joining Teesside University at an exciting time as we make a series of major investments, launch a number of pioneering initiatives and build on a momentum that is making a fantastic student experience even better.”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →