Chancellor in Business conversation

This year’s annual Teesside Business School lecture at the University of Teesside will be one with a difference. Instead of a traditional lecture to an invited audience, the University’s Chancellor, Lord Sawyer of Darlington, will discuss the theme of politics and leadership on stage with Teesside Business School PhD student Alex Gillett.

Lord Sawyer will draw upon lessons from his life as both a trade union leader and General Secretary of the Labour Party, to inform issues of leadership now. Alex will also ‘shadow’ Lord Sawyer for a day before the lecture, which takes place on Thursday 9 November, in the University’s Innovation Centre Lecture theatre, off Stephenson Street, Middlesbrough from 6.30pm-8.00pm. There will be an opportunity for questions from the audience. A limited number of tickets are available, please call 01642 342002. A reception will be held from 5.30pm onwards in Teesside Business School, second floor, Clarendon Building, with entertainment from the Noel Dennis jazz quartet.

Alex Gillett, 28, from Nunthorpe, will complete his Business PhD at the University in 2008. He has already achieved two degrees from the University, a BA (Hons) Business Studies and an MSc in Marketing Management. Alex said: “I was nominated by the Business School to take part on this lecture. It’s a brilliant responsibility to be involved and asking the Chancellor questions, I’m really looking forward to it.”

Nigel Evans, Acting Dean for Teesside Business School, said: “The Annual Business School Lecture is a long standing and very important feature of the Teesside Business School calendar which has attracted some excellent speakers in the past.

“This year’s event is no exception as Lord Sawyer brings to the lecture a wealth of leadership experience which spans the spheres of business and politics. The lecture this year will fittingly divert from previous formats in that Teesside Business School research student Alex Gillett will represent the School in interviewing Lord Sawyer.”

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