New centre for Harper Adams

Industry veteran Robin Faccenda opened a new £4.5m student building which bears his name at Harper Adams University College this week.

His company, leading broiler grower Faccenda Chicken, was the principal sponsor for the Faccenda Centre, an imposing 2170sq m student services building in the centre of the campus.

At the same time, Mr Faccenda announced that a deal had been signed for the next 10 years, offering sponsorship for individual students on research and business courses.

“The future of Harper Adams depends on working with industry hand in hand, and developing graduates for our industries,” he said. “I first came here as a student over 50 years ago and I have tried to support the college in different ways over the years to keep it at the forefront of the poultry industry.”

The Faccenda Centre will act as a “one stop shop” where students can access an IT suite, study and teaching rooms, a common room and meeting space, learning support, the student registry and other facilities including a café and shop.

Dr David Llewellyn, principal of Harper Adams, said: “Four years ago we started work on this project, raising funds via the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) for a student centre which would truly enhance the experience of our students. Discussions led to this generous donation that completed the funding package and enabled the project to proceed.”

Our photo shows student union president Peter Dodd (left), Faccenda Group owner Robin Faccenda and principal of Harper Adams University College, Dr David Llewellyn, who were on hand to open the new Faccenda Centre.