Three former deans and seven original students helped to kickstart the 50th anniversary celebrations at Bradford’s highly-regarded business school.

Professor David Weir, Professor Arthur Francis and Professor Sarah Dixon, who is now working in China, and founding member of the faculty Les Simister, attended a founders’ dinner at the University of Bradford School of Management, which is one of the world’s oldest and business schools.

The event was hosted by dean Professor Jon Reast and special guests included Professor Brian Cantor, newly-appointed University of Bradford vice-chancellor; David Dinmore, deputy lord lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain.

Prof Reast said: “Our new circular economy MBA, designed with companies such as B&Q and Renault, helps companies to come up with new business models, particularly using energy in different ways and creating different relationships with customers; perhaps renting or leasing rather than buying and then re-using valuable parts in old products.

“Corporate degrees such as the one we deliver for Morrisons are a growing trend and we need to continue our excellence in teaching and research to deliver new thinking and understanding for the private, public and voluntary sectors.”

Past students include Tony O’Reilly, chief executive of food giant Heinz, Kate Swann former chief executive of WH Smith Group and Kevin Gaskell, former boss of BMW (UK) and Porsche GB.