The Waterside, our new Business School location, has been officially opened, with the keynote speaker Paul Polman calling on business leaders to adopt a ‘net positive’ mindset, focused on exploring what more good they can do.
The Waterside building is the new outstanding facility for our Business School, which opened to staff and students in September 2024. It was officially opened on Monday 14 April by Paul Polman, a global business leader, environmentalist and author.
Durham University Business School is one of the world’s premier business schools, among the elite one per cent to have triple accreditation: from the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), AMBA (Association of MBAs), and Equis (European Quality Improvement System).
It delivers world-leading research, transformative education, has significant industry impact, and makes a difference, globally and locally.
The Waterside is at the heart of Durham City, close to the railway station and the city centre, and complements our existing Mill Hill Lane facility.
It includes large and smaller lecture theatres, a financial trading lab with Bloomberg terminals, executive facilities including boardrooms and meeting spaces, offices, study spaces, and a Riverfront Bistro. The facility has achieved the highest Gold SKA rating for sustainability.
Mr Polman told the official opening that there was a shortage of the ‘right leaders’ needed to succeed – and called on those present to play their part.
“Here at Durham, you already punch above your weight. With the opening of this wonderful Waterside building, you are setting yourselves up very well for success.”
Paul Polman was chief executive of Unilever from 2009 to 2019. During that time, shareholders saw their returns increase by 290 per cent, while the company consistently ranked first in the world for sustainability and as one of the best places to work.
Today he works across a range of organisations and initiatives to speed the global action needed to regenerate our planet, renew our economies, and unite our societies. He is chair of the Oxford University Said Business School and author of the critically-acclaimed book Net Positive.
The opening was attended by leaders from business, politics, academia, and civic society. Mr Polman gave the keynote address, there were contributions from Professor Karen O’Brien, our Vice-Chancellor, and Professors Cathy Cassell and Kieran Fernandes, the outgoing and incoming Executive Deans of the Business School, respectively. Guests also enjoyed tours of the building.
Paul Polman addresses the official opening of The Waterside building
Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor, addresses the official opening of The Waterside building
Professor Kieran Fernandes, incoming Executive Dean of Durham University Business School, addresses the official opening of The Waterside building.
Professor Cathy Cassell, outgoing Executive Dean of Durham University Business School, addresses the official opening of The Waterside building.
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