Raising a glass to 25 years

Former Brighton & Hove Albion Chairman, Dick Knight, and Gavin George, CEO of the Laine Pub Company will be amongst a host of guests attending the event on 1 March marking the 25^th anniversary of the former polytechnic gaining university status. Attendees will enjoy a new beer, aptly named ‘Polygon’, specially brewed for the occasion by the North Laine Brewhouse and music from 1992-93 – the year the university came into being.

Speaking ahead of the event, Gavin George, CEO of the Laine Pub Company and a former Business School student at what was Brighton Polytechnic, said: “My time as a business student at the then Brighton Polytechnic was a period I remember with great fondness. It has been fascinating to reconnect with the university in recent years on a number of fronts and to see first-hand the significant enhancements that have been made to ensure it is ever more successful at producing professionals in every field. I’m grateful for the training the University of Brighton gave me, and am very pleased that The Laine Pub Company is supporting this major anniversary.”

Gavin George

Dick Knight, former Seagulls Chairman and an honorary graduate of the University of Brighton said: ''I can't believe it’s been 25 years since university status was granted!  We were battling for the new stadium for nearly half that period, and there are parallels because just as the Albion and the AMEX are icons of our go-ahead city, so the University of Brighton has forged its place in our community and has long been very much part of the fabric of the city. I admire the university's philosophy of Practical Wisdom and as a donor to its Breakthrough Awards, I'm looking forward to meeting other members of the university’s community again on the night.”

This event is just one of a series of anniversary celebrations being organised by the university for its community of students, staff, alumni and friends. It kicks off the first of ‘25 gatherings for 25 years’ that will see similar events taking place around the globe, including Melbourne, Florida, Kenya and New York.

The gathering, which takes place at the North Laine Brewhouse in central Brighton, is open to staff, students and alumni and takes place on 1 March starting at 6pm.

Former students of the University of Brighton (or Brighton Polytechnic), current students, members of staff or supporters, can register for free tickets for this event from Eventbrite.