The former First President of the Supreme Court, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, has presided over his final BU Graduation Ceremony, officiating over the bestowing of degrees and doctorates for more than 700 students from the Faculty of Management.
Having served as Chancellor for more than a decade, the Law Lord expressed pride in the work of BU staff, students and graduates, and voiced his view over challenges facing the next generation of leaders in both business and governance.
Lord Phillips said: Looking back, it doesn't even seen that I've been doing it for five years, let alone 10, but there have been some astonishing physical changes, and not just physical changes but cultural changes as well - if you go and walk around [Bournemouth University] now, looking at the Talbot Campus in particular, it is absolutely astonishing. I've topped out a couple of these buildings and each I've looked around the campus and hardly recognised it.
He added: "I think that the development of Bournemouth University has gone hand-in-hand with its development as a centre of excellence in teaching and research... I think we are turning out people who are quite well-fitted to meet the challenge and Bournemouth has always been at the forefront of making sure that the people who come here leave the university well-qualified to get a good job."
Formerly the highest judge in England until his retirement in 2012, Lord Phillips welcomed the appointment of BBC stalwart and former Chief Correspondent Kate Adie MBE to the role of Chancellor during the Ceremony's proceedings.
She said: "It's my great pleasure to anticipate what I think will be a fulfilling and enjoyable role. I'm following in the footsteps of someone whom I hope will not mind if I describe him as a very wise owl. I come from the profession of journalism and broadcasting so can make a claim to being an inquisitive carrier pidgeon. It's an honour to follow such a distinguished chancellor and I can only hope that I should be able to follow his example and be a credit to this university."
