Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Edward Ziff awarded honorary Doctorate of Business Administration
Chairman and Chief Executive of Leeds-based Town Centre Securities PLC since 2004, Edward is known as a passionate family man, who brings a strong pastoral care to the company, encouraging individual leadership and an active role in the community through local charities.
Speaking about receiving the award Edward said: "It's fantastic to receive this honorary award today and I'm very proud as Leeds Met is a well-known institution throughout the country and internationally. I was fortunate enough to learn an enormous amount from my own father as I began my career in the family business and I don't think there are any secrets to success in business, just work hard and keep life in balance."
My advice to the graduating students today is to have dreams, make sure you live them out and don't be frightened by them. Look to the future, learn from your mistakes and above all enjoy what you do."
Town Centre Securities is the owner of the Merrion Centre shopping and office complex, which is a familiar local landmark to Leeds Met students and staff. Its shares have been listed on the London Stock Exchange for over fifty years and it has built a substantial portfolio of properties across the UK over this time.
Edward joined the business in 1981 in the estates department before being appointed to the Board in 1985 and becoming Managing Director in 1993. He took over as Chairman and Chief Executive in 2004 following the death of his father, Arnold, the founder of Town Centre Securities. Edward follows in his footsteps in receiving the honorary award. Fittingly it is ten years this summer since Arnold was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration by Leeds Met.
Edward is also a Governor of The Grammar School at Leeds. He was a member of the Advisory Board of Leeds University Business School and a Non-executive Director of The Leeds Building Society.
Outside of the business world, Edward commits much of his time to charity and good causes. He is President of Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, where his father was also a past President. He has had a long association with the Welfare Board going back to the early 1980s. Edward continues to be significantly involved in the fundraising and finance activities of the Welfare Board, and was particularly involved in the fundraising for and the procurement of the Marjorie & Arnold Ziff Community Centre in North Leeds.
Earlier this year, Edward was appointed to the Board of the Leeds Apprentice Training Agency, a local authority sponsored programme aimed at getting young people into full time employment.
Others receiving honorary degrees from Leeds Metropolitan include comedy writer and performer Barry Cryer OBE; Emmerdale actress Gaynor Faye and Olympic triathlon coach Malcolm Brown MBE.
Leeds Metropolitan University Vice Chancellor, Professor Susan Price, said: "We are delighted to recognise such a wide variety of individuals who have made a significant contribution to their field. This year's awards are particularly varied, with inspiring people from a range of backgrounds including business, arts, law, sport and the entertainment industry. We are very much looking forward to welcoming them to our Headingley Campus to celebrate with us as we recognise the achievements of our staff and graduating students."