Uni honour for former leader

NICK Forbes says he is “deeply honoured” to receive an honorary degree from Newcastle University.

- DANIEL HALL

(> Nick Forbes)

The former Newcastle City Council leader was made an honorary Doctor of Civil Law yesterday.

Mr Forbes was the second-longest serving council leader when he was deselected by party members in his Arthur's Hill ward, and decided against being parachuted into another ward. During his time at the helm, he made economic growth a key feature, securing new financial powers by negotiating one of the first round of City Deals with government, creating an Accelerated Development Zone, and was instrumental in securing a devolution deal for the North of Tyne.