First Leathersellers chair

Professor Geoff Attenburrow has become the first Leathersellers' Chair of Materials Science at The University of Northampton following a formal inauguration ceremony in January at Leathersellers' Hall in London. The chair will be fully funded by the Leathersellers' Company and marks a significant development of the existing partnership between the University of Northampton and the Leathersellers' Company. Accepting his new position, Professor Attenburrow said: 'It is a great honour for me to be the first Leathersellers Professor at The University of Northampton and I am very grateful to the Leathersellers' Company for their generous support. Since taking up the appointment of Leathersellers Reader at The University of Northampton's British School of Leather Technology in 1991, I have endeavoured to lead the development of research and knowledge transfer and establish the school as an internationally leading centre for leather-related research.' Looking to the future Professor Attenburrow added that he would be making it a priority for the leather division in the School of Applied Sciences to further develop work on collaborative projects with partners across the university as well as with external businesses. 'Within the University's School of Applied Sciences we are collaborating on projects examining the environmental impact of leather production', he explained. 'We have also formally set up a Centre for Research on Leather and Materials Science, which encourages the exchange of ideas between staff carrying out materials research at the University of Northampton. 'Outside the university it remains my ambition to involve the Leather Division in meaningful partnerships across the East Midlands, nationally and internationally. For many years we have collaborated on a wide variety of projects with colleagues at the BLC Leather Technology Center. I now believe the time is right to further build on Northamptonshire's unique heritage in leather and footwear.' Vice Chancellor at The University of Northampton, Ann Tate, added: 'We are extremely grateful to the Leathersellers' Company for this generous donation. It serves to underwrite the University's pre-eminence in the field of leather-related research and teaching and acknowledges our excellence in developing the application of leather in the field of design both in fashion and footwear and in interior design.'