University celebrates its first Chancellor with building renaming ceremony

17th December 2015

Sheffield Hallam University have honoured its first Chancellor by renaming one of its landmark buildings after him.

Sir Bryan Nicholson officially opened the renamed 1 Furnival Square building in a ceremony which took place today, with the building now called Bryan Nicholson. Speaking at the event, Sir Bryan, who before becoming Chancellor was Chairman and Chief Executive of the Post Office and former Chairman of the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA), said: "It is a great honour to have this building named after me. I am proud to have been the first Chancellor of what has become an outstandingly successful university". Sir Bryan became the first Chancellor of the University in 1994, holding the position for nine years until 2001, and was an important advocate of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, which allowed polytechnics to become universities, including Sheffield Hallam. During the visit, Sir Bryan, and his wife Lady Mary Nicholson, were given a guided tour of the building, which is home to the University's facilities, events and international development teams. Sir Bryan also met current students Erin Edmondson, who is in her third year of studying Architecture and Environmental Design, Ashley Goodin, a fourth year Business Economics student, and Jess Swiffen, in her second year of Geography, as well as recent Criminology and Psychology graduate Elisha Simpson. Sheffield Hallam University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Jones, said: "Sir Bryan played a pivotal role in the early life of our University, from his support of the Education Act to becoming our Chancellor. We are delighted to be able to recognise his contribution with this gesture and to welcome him back to the University."