A North East entrepreneur has returned to his old school to share some of the spoils of his latest multimillion pound deal.
Ian Watson last month sold his Hadrian Healthcare business in what was his fourth buyout in 16 years, with the deals’ value totalling more than £230m.
Mr Watson started his working life as a clerk in Lloyds Bank at the age 16, fresh out of Whickham Comprehensive, and has now returned to his old school to give its campaign to construct a new building a £50,000 boost.
That donation took money awarded by the Watson Family Charitable Trust to £400,000 over the past three years.
Alongside his business success, Mr Watson is a keen philanthropist who set up the trust after saying that people who have been fortunate enough to enjoy the privilege of wealth have a responsibility to others.
The family charity is on a mission to improve opportunities and education for children in the North East and beyond and it recently completed the rebuilding of a residential school for disabled and orphaned children in Uganda.
He donated the five-figure sum to Whickham School and Sports College in Gateshead, to support the development of specialist teaching spaces for Business Studies at its new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Sports performance (STEAMS) building.
He said: “I am delighted to be able to offer this support to my old school.
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“I have such great memories of my time at ‘Whickham Comp’ as it was in my day and being able to make my own contribution towards this exciting new building project is a real privilege. “The new building will provide a very special educational facility to students and most importantly the commitment and passion I see from head teacher Steve and his team makes for an incredibly exciting future for the current pupils of this great school and indeed generations to come.”
Fundraising efforts will continue throughout the autumn term in order to secure essential resources ahead of its opening in January 2020.
Whickham School headteacher Steve Haigh said: “Our new school will help to prepare students for employment in the key sectors for economic growth. It is wonderful that Ian shares our passion for excellence in education and preparing young people to make a significant contribution to our community, region and country.
“His passion and commitment are evident in his active engagement in inspiring young people in business and enterprise and through his very generous donation to fulfilling our ambition. We look forward to continuing to build an enduring legacy.”