Ex-Newcastle Falcons chief returns to South Tyneside College after 40 years for motivation session

Paul Mackings, 58, chief executive of land and property development company Cameron Hall Developments, hopes his first visit to South Tyneside College in 40 years will inspire its current crop of learners.

The former Newcastle Falcons CEO will lead two hour-long free masterclass motivation sessions on Monday.

Whitburn-born Paul, 58, will tell how taking night classes at the college in the late 1970s changed his life.

The dad-of-two credits his two years of studying digital electronics at the end of his working day as helping pave his path to later riches.

At 16, he joined the college on day release as an apprentice electrician.

He said: “I left school with few qualifications. I was bright but did not apply myself and, when I got an apprenticeship, I realised the power of qualifications to get you where you want to be, and I really started to knuckle down.

“I can honestly say that the best thing that ever happened to me was enrolling at South Tyneside College – it focused me on the importance of learning and education.

Paul added: “I’m very much looking forward to returning to the college, it helped shaped my future.”

Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE, chief executive of Tyne Coast College, of which South Tyneside College is part, said: “ Through talent, endeavour and hard work, Paul has been an incredible success within the world of business.

“ It is always with pride and pleasure that I learn of the success of our former students.”

Paul’s business career began in 1980 when he worked as a services director, and later operations director, at office equipment firm NEP Canon.

in 1990, he became managing director of TWP Waste Management and Recycling which he later bought for £1.2m and sold for £6m.

Between 1995 and 2002 he was managing director of Vimac Nursing and Residential Homes and since 2001 he has been chairman of Kymel Leisure.

In 2009, he became CEO of Cameron Hall Developments.

He was also chief executive of Newcastle Falcons, between 1997 and 2000.