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Plymouth University agrees to spend £150,000 on seven chairs Plymouth University agrees to spend £150,000 on seven chairs
(about 2 hours later)
Plymouth University has agreed to spend £150,000 on seven chairs for graduation ceremonies, it is understood.Plymouth University has agreed to spend £150,000 on seven chairs for graduation ceremonies, it is understood.
The university's senior management team commissioned the handcrafted chairs by furniture designer John Makepeace.The university's senior management team commissioned the handcrafted chairs by furniture designer John Makepeace.
In an email seen by the BBC, the university's PR department warned this could cause reputational damage.In an email seen by the BBC, the university's PR department warned this could cause reputational damage.
Professor David Coslett, deputy vice chancellor, said the university hoped to pay for the chairs through "private donations and charitable foundations".Professor David Coslett, deputy vice chancellor, said the university hoped to pay for the chairs through "private donations and charitable foundations".
Prof Coslett said Plymouth University's annual graduation week attracted more than 25,000 students and guests and injected about £700,000 into the city's economy.Prof Coslett said Plymouth University's annual graduation week attracted more than 25,000 students and guests and injected about £700,000 into the city's economy.
"The planned commissioning of new graduation furniture is the next stage in the development of our graduation ceremonies," he said."The planned commissioning of new graduation furniture is the next stage in the development of our graduation ceremonies," he said.
Investigations John Makepeace
Source: johnmakepeacefurniture.com
The design and cost of the chairs are yet to be confirmed, but sources have told the BBC the project is due to cost more than £150,000.The design and cost of the chairs are yet to be confirmed, but sources have told the BBC the project is due to cost more than £150,000.
The news comes as the university undergoes separate investigations into the conduct of chairman William Taylor, and vice chancellor Wendy Purcell.The news comes as the university undergoes separate investigations into the conduct of chairman William Taylor, and vice chancellor Wendy Purcell.
Mr Taylor, a retired judge, has stood aside after claims of sexual harassment were made by a number of women and students.Mr Taylor, a retired judge, has stood aside after claims of sexual harassment were made by a number of women and students.
The claims were submitted by Prof Purcell, who is currently suspended while a separate investigation is held into her conduct.The claims were submitted by Prof Purcell, who is currently suspended while a separate investigation is held into her conduct.
The university is yet to reveal the reason for her suspension.The university is yet to reveal the reason for her suspension.