VIDEO: Sir Ken Morrison opens new management centre at University

He was speaking as he officially opened the Sir Titus Salt Building at the heart of a £12.5m extension at the Bradford University School of Management in Emm Lane yesterday.

The new facilities include a new lecture theatre, atrium space and restaurant. Extra teaching space, a multi-faith centre and student support facilities will be completed in September.

Sir Ken said: “This development is a sign of the fighting spirit that exists in Bradford and is something of which the university and the city can be proud.”

The school’s dean, Professor Arthur Francis said: “We have a learning legacy to protect on this site but we also wanted to create a campus fit for purpose in the 21st Century.

“We now have cutting edge, highly sustainable accommodation, which will help nurture our students’ success.”

The new building is named after Sir Titus Salt, Victorian textile magnate and philanthropist who founded Saltaire village and provided some of the original funds for Airedale Independent College, the forerunner of the School of Management.

Titus Salt junior opened the original Heaton Mount building in 1874. His great great grandson David Salt cut a ribbon to mark the opening of the new development after Sir Ken had unveiled a plaque.

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor of Bradford University, paid tribute to Professor Francis’ 12 years as dean of the management school, describing him as “a hard act to follow”

He said that under his leadership Bradford School of Management had become highly regarded and world renowned. As a member of the university’s management team, Professor Francis had made a dynamic contribution to its affairs and success.

Among those attending the opening was Professor Francis’ successor, Dr Sarah Dixon, currently head of MSc programmes at the University of Bath.

The former international business executive with oil giant Shell will move to Bradford in September.