BU’s graduation continues with Faculty of Management

Graduates from BU’s Faculty of Management took to the stage to receive their degree awards during two ceremonies taking place on Tuesday.

Around 750 graduates, of 4000 total throughout the week, received their awards alongside two honorary doctorates; Jim Stewart, Chief Executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, and Jeanne Bisgood CBE, a former magistrate and Poole councillor.  

Jim Stewart received Doctor of Business Administration for his long service to the maritime sector, culminating in his appointment as Chief Executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners. Alongside this role, Jim is an active member, and current chair, of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

He said, “The growth of the university has been fantastic for the local economy; the reputation of Bournemouth University, which is making all sort of steps in the academic world, has got to be good for Poole.

“I’m hugely excited, I’m very honoured indeed, very proud to receive the award.”

Jeanne Bisgood CBE has had a 30-year career in local government, as well as roles in the legal profession. She played a pivotal role in the creation of higher education provision in Dorset, laying the foundations for what was to become Bournemouth University.

Speaking ahead of her ceremony, she said, “It was a surprise and a privilege for me to be invited by Bournemouth University to accept the honorary degree.  When I went up to Oxford in 1941 to read History at the age of 18, I could never have imagined it would be 77 years before I would obtain a degree at the age of 95.”

The ceremony also saw a change in Chancellor at the university, with Lord Nicholas Phillips standing down after 10 years in the position. Lord Phillips presided over his last graduation ceremony and paid tribute to the university’s growth during his tenure.

Lord Phillips said, “Looking back, it doesn’t even seem that I’ve been doing this for five hears, let alone ten, but there have been some astonishing physical and cultural changes as well.”

“I think we are turning out people who are quite well fitted to meet the challenges they will face. Bournemouth [University] has always been at the forefront of making sure that the people who come here leave the university well qualified to get a job and, most of them do get really good jobs!”

Journalist and broadcaster Kate Adie will officially take over as the university’s new Chancellor in January 2019.

Graduates from courses such as business, accounting and finance now have their degrees and will head into the wider world to begin their careers. Their graduation ceremonies were watched online around the world, including countries such as Sri Lanka, Oman and the US.

To see a gallery of images from Tuesday’s graduation ceremonies, visit BU's Pinterest page.