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http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/gene...lionaire_saves_falmer_plan_from_scrapheap.php
Multi-millionaire saves Falmer plan from scrapheap
By Andy Chiles
A multi-millionaire Labour party donor has been revealed as the new sponsor behind revived plans for a city academy.
Entrepreneur Rod Aldridge, one of Britain's wealthiest men with a fortune of £106 million, yesterday admitted he was the backer heading a rescue package for the £26 million replacement for Falmer High School in Lewes Road, Brighton.
The academy scheme appeared to be in tatters a fortnight ago after the original sponsor, investment banker Jon Aisbitt, withdrew his support after three years of planning.
More than £24 million of promised Government investment into a deprived part of north Brighton was expected to be lost as a result of his decision.
But now Mr Aldridge's interest has made the project a possibility once more.
He has agreed to be sponsor and will head a new partnership with Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and City College Brighton and Hove already confirmed as members. The Universities of Brighton and Sussex will also add their support.
Vanessa Brown, Brighton and Hove City Council's member for education, who worked to secure the rescue package, said: "We are delighted with this outcome after what happened two weeks ago. Rod Aldridge called us within a day of the loss of the last sponsor and has made this investment possible again."
Mr Aldridge, 59, was born in Hove and went to school in Portslade. He is an Albion season ticket holder.
He left school at 16 and spent ten years working for councils in Sussex.
He made his millions by setting up and expanding outsourcing firm Capita, which provides IT services for government departments. Over three decades he made it one of the UK's most successful companies.
Mr Aldridge stepped down from his role as chairman in March 2006 after becoming embroiled in scandal when he was named among a group of millionaires who loaned money to Labour to fund their general election campaign.
Concerns were raised the favour would buy influence to gain future contracts for Capita.
Mr Aldridge now runs the Aldridge Foundation, which supports youth charities and has already sponsored one academy school which is due to open in Darwen, Lancashire, in September.
He is a trustee of the Prince's Trust and a former chairman of the Confederation of British Industry.
Yesterday he spoke of his enthusiasm for the Falmer project.
Mr Aldridge said: "Brighton and Hove is in my blood. I went to school in Portslade, worked for Brighton Borough Council for a number of years and still have a flat in Hove.
"I'm passionate about giving young people the chance to maximise their potential, particularly in the areas of business and entrepreneurship and through voluntary work.
"It's a great privilege to be offered the chance to be involved in a project like this."
The four partner organisations will all be neighbours of the academy if Albion's new stadium at Falmer and City College's expansion plans go ahead.
Labour councillor Pat Hawkes, the opposition spokeswoman for children's services, said: "With the backing of the new sponsor and partners like the universities, City College and the football club, the academy looks set to be able to equip students and local people with a very exciting range of skills and opportunities."
The Government provides the majority of funding for academies to be built on the proviso that sponsors bring their own backing. Initially they had to provide a minimum of £2 million but that limit has been removed.
In exchange for their investment sponsors have influence over the curriculum and management of the academy.
The new plan is for Falmer Academy to focus on business and enterprise, as it would have done when Mr Aisbitt was backing the scheme.
Work is underway on an expression of interest, the first stage of planning which must be approved by the Government.
A full timescale for the opening of the academy has not been set but Coun Brown said she was determined to move the project ahead swiftly after the disaster last month.
She said much of the work done with Mr Aisbitt could be carried over to the new scheme and that she was delighted for everyone involved with Falmer High.
She said: "Headteacher Stuart McLaughlin and his team have created a real momentum in terms of educational improvement in recent years but are being held back by outdated buildings and facilities.
"This would give them and the community they serve the state-of-the-art facilities they deserve.
"Rod Aldridge brings to the table unrivalled public and private sector experience and a huge commitment to improving opportunities for young people. I think he will be an excellent sponsor."
Multi-millionaire saves Falmer plan from scrapheap
By Andy Chiles
A multi-millionaire Labour party donor has been revealed as the new sponsor behind revived plans for a city academy.
Entrepreneur Rod Aldridge, one of Britain's wealthiest men with a fortune of £106 million, yesterday admitted he was the backer heading a rescue package for the £26 million replacement for Falmer High School in Lewes Road, Brighton.
The academy scheme appeared to be in tatters a fortnight ago after the original sponsor, investment banker Jon Aisbitt, withdrew his support after three years of planning.
More than £24 million of promised Government investment into a deprived part of north Brighton was expected to be lost as a result of his decision.
But now Mr Aldridge's interest has made the project a possibility once more.
He has agreed to be sponsor and will head a new partnership with Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club and City College Brighton and Hove already confirmed as members. The Universities of Brighton and Sussex will also add their support.
Vanessa Brown, Brighton and Hove City Council's member for education, who worked to secure the rescue package, said: "We are delighted with this outcome after what happened two weeks ago. Rod Aldridge called us within a day of the loss of the last sponsor and has made this investment possible again."
Mr Aldridge, 59, was born in Hove and went to school in Portslade. He is an Albion season ticket holder.
He left school at 16 and spent ten years working for councils in Sussex.
He made his millions by setting up and expanding outsourcing firm Capita, which provides IT services for government departments. Over three decades he made it one of the UK's most successful companies.
Mr Aldridge stepped down from his role as chairman in March 2006 after becoming embroiled in scandal when he was named among a group of millionaires who loaned money to Labour to fund their general election campaign.
Concerns were raised the favour would buy influence to gain future contracts for Capita.
Mr Aldridge now runs the Aldridge Foundation, which supports youth charities and has already sponsored one academy school which is due to open in Darwen, Lancashire, in September.
He is a trustee of the Prince's Trust and a former chairman of the Confederation of British Industry.
Yesterday he spoke of his enthusiasm for the Falmer project.
Mr Aldridge said: "Brighton and Hove is in my blood. I went to school in Portslade, worked for Brighton Borough Council for a number of years and still have a flat in Hove.
"I'm passionate about giving young people the chance to maximise their potential, particularly in the areas of business and entrepreneurship and through voluntary work.
"It's a great privilege to be offered the chance to be involved in a project like this."
The four partner organisations will all be neighbours of the academy if Albion's new stadium at Falmer and City College's expansion plans go ahead.
Labour councillor Pat Hawkes, the opposition spokeswoman for children's services, said: "With the backing of the new sponsor and partners like the universities, City College and the football club, the academy looks set to be able to equip students and local people with a very exciting range of skills and opportunities."
The Government provides the majority of funding for academies to be built on the proviso that sponsors bring their own backing. Initially they had to provide a minimum of £2 million but that limit has been removed.
In exchange for their investment sponsors have influence over the curriculum and management of the academy.
The new plan is for Falmer Academy to focus on business and enterprise, as it would have done when Mr Aisbitt was backing the scheme.
Work is underway on an expression of interest, the first stage of planning which must be approved by the Government.
A full timescale for the opening of the academy has not been set but Coun Brown said she was determined to move the project ahead swiftly after the disaster last month.
She said much of the work done with Mr Aisbitt could be carried over to the new scheme and that she was delighted for everyone involved with Falmer High.
She said: "Headteacher Stuart McLaughlin and his team have created a real momentum in terms of educational improvement in recent years but are being held back by outdated buildings and facilities.
"This would give them and the community they serve the state-of-the-art facilities they deserve.
"Rod Aldridge brings to the table unrivalled public and private sector experience and a huge commitment to improving opportunities for young people. I think he will be an excellent sponsor."
) and it is OLD news.
