ONE of the original members of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den will be the next Chancellor of Teesside University.

Doug Richard will take over the role from Lord Sawyer of Darlington who has been Chancellor since 2005 and whose term of office has concluded. He is expected to be installed as Teesside University Chancellor in early 2015.

Mr Richard is an entrepreneur, investor and government advisor known for his work in entrepreneur development in the UK and internationally.

He starred as a dragon in the first two series of Dragons’ Den where he gained a reputation for being a tough customer. He remains the only Dragon not to invest throughout a series. After quitting the show Mr Richard spoke out against the way business is portrayed in television programmes such as The Apprentice.

He 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.

Speaking about his new role as Chancellor of Teesside University, Mr Richard 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, welcomed the appointment of Doug Richard.

He 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.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson, who has himself announced his plans to retire in August 2015, said: “First of all I would like to thank Lord Sawyer for his huge contribution during his time as Chancellor of Teesside University.

"We have worked together through some incredible times, culminating in Teesside both being awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Business engagement in 2013 and becoming the first modern university to win the Times Higher Education University of the Year Award in 2009.

“Lord Sawyer has been a fantastic friend and ambassador for this University and his stewardship has helped steer us to where we are today.

“The position of Chancellor carries great prestige and responsibility and I am certain that in Doug Richard we have appointed an exceptional leader with the talent and profile to build on the foundations that have been laid – and I am absolutely delighted that he has accepted our invitation to take on the role.”

Alastair MacColl, Chairman of the Board of Governors at Teesside University, said: “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."