A former police chief and a high street fashion entrepreneur were yesterday honoured at the official inauguration of Lord Stevens of Kirkwhelpington as Chancellor of Northumbria University.

The former Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Keith Povey, and fashion guru George Davies, were the first to receive honorary doctorates of civil law from the new chancellor - who succeeds Lord Glenamara as the titular head of the Newcastle institution.

Lord Stevens, who retired from the police service earlier this year after a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, said he was delighted to be taking up his new role.

He said: "Since I joined Northumbria Police as chief constable almost 15 years ago, policing, higher education and the North-East have all changed considerably.

"I am honoured to be taking up my new role as chancellor at such an exciting time in the history of Northumbria University, with the new campus development providing a significant investment in the city and great opportunity for our students in the future.

"As I live in the North-East, I intend to use every opportunity to get to know Northumbria University as an academic community and I intend to speak up for higher education, in whatever forum is available to me."

Lord Stevens, who is also president of Durham County Cricket Club, was himself presented with an honorary doctorate in civil law at Northumbria University, in 2001.

He said: "Sir Keith Povey and I rose through the ranks of the police service and have enjoyed a superb working relationship as well as forging a great friendship.

"We are both immensely proud of the contribution we have been able to make to the police service over the past four decades."