University appoints industry leader Sir George Buckley as new Chancellor

Huddersfield graduate and former 3M CEO Sir George Buckley appointed as the University of Huddersfield’s new Chancellor

One of the world's most respected business figures, Sir George Buckley, is to be the new Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, where he was himself a student before launching a career that would see him rise to the top at leading multi-national companies.

Formerly the Chairman and CEO of giant US-based technology company 3M, Sir George was knighted in 2011. He currently holds posts that include the Chairmanship of UK manufacturer and technology innovator Smiths Group and Stanley Black & Decker, who are the world's largest makers of hand and power tools. He is also a member of the board of Hitachi, the Japanese industrial conglomerate, and is recently retired from the board of Pepsico, the US food and drink giant. He is pictured here with University of Huddersfield Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Cryan in a photo taken in 2011.

The son of a Sheffield steelworker, though raised by foster parents, George Buckley attended a school for physically disabled children and left school at the age of 15, but from childhood, his ambition was to become an electrical engineer. His studies at Huddersfield helped to make this vision a reality. He gained a BSc in electrical and electronic engineering in 1972 and went onto acquire a PhD in engineering in 1976

A varied career followed, in the steel industry and working for the Central Electricity Generating Board, before he was recruited by General Motors and moved to the USA. In 2000 he became chairman of the Brunswick Corporation and in 2005 was appointed chairman, president and CEO of 3M, whose portfolio of iconic brands includes Scotch Tape and Post-it notes.

Sir George has stated that his success in business was based on the scientific and technical training he received at Huddersfield, and he has maintained close ties with the institution ever since. In 2003 he received an honorary doctorate, and six years later a state-of-the-art lecture theatre was opened that carries his name. 

Then in 2013 the University's new business and innovation centre – which provides facilities for enterprises that range from student start-ups to established firms – was named the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre. Sir George announced that the company would sponsor a 3M Chair of Innovation.

"My memories of Huddersfield are very positive," Sir George has stated. "I had a superb education here, and I will be forever grateful for that. We had some excellent teachers and Huddersfield set me off on the right path towards the future."

Now he has accepted the role of Chancellor, succeeding the Duke of York, who stood down earlier this year.

The Chair of the University of Huddersfield Council, Mr Jonathan Thornton, is delighted that Sir George is to take on the Chancellorship, a post that has also been occupied by the famed actor Sir Patrick Stewart.

"Sir George Buckley is probably the best example I can think of as a person who has used education – alongside his capacity for hard work and his visionary qualities – as the stepping stone for a truly exceptional career. He will be an enormous inspiration to our students, showing them what is possible," said Mr Thornton.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, Professor Bob Cryan said "Sir George has been tremendously generous in his support for the University over the years and he has been a regular visitor, giving numerous presentations to both students and staff.

"He is a truly inspirational individual that ran one of the most innovative companies in the world, and his advice is highly sought after by both Governments and major corporations. Sir George is a proud Huddersfield graduate and a fantastic role model for our students, and I do not doubt that he will be an amazing Chancellor."