“As a former student of Newcastle Polytechnic, this recognition carries real personal significance,” he said.
“The North East shaped who I am, and the education I received here gave me the foundation for my career in business, football and community work.
“To be acknowledged by the university where my journey began means a great deal.”
Other recipients of honorary degrees include Lol Crawley, a Northumbria graduate and Oscar-winning cinematographer for The Brutalist, and Steph Edusei, chief executive of St Oswald’s Hospice.
