A leading Shropshire businessman has returned from a work and lecture tour of New Zealand with an agreement for a possible tie-up between universities in Shropshire and Otago.

Geoffrey Davies, managing director of Ludlow-based McConnel and of Alamo Group Europe, was invited to New Zealand by the Otago University Business School to deliver its annual Distinguished Visitor Lecture.

He has guest lectured for many years at Harper Adams University College, Newport. He was voted British Entrepreneur of the Year for the way he rescued McConnel from impending bankruptcy in 1988 and grew the worldwide Alamo Group Europe from it.

“I knew Harper Adams was receptive to student placements from overseas universities and while I was in New Zealand, I discussed the idea of an exchange with Otago. I’m delighted to say that this is likely to become a reality soon,” he said.

Mr Davies plans to offer work internships at his British companies to Otago students on exchange at Harper Adams University College, where his companies already support 30 students from financially-deprived backgrounds by paying their full fees.

In the lecture, Mr Davies gave his 500-strong Otago University audience a detailed explanation of the techniques involved in identifying acquisitions suitable for Alamo Group and how he grew those companies successfully.

Mr Davies, a director of Shropshire Chamber of Commerce, also delivered a speech to the Otago Chamber of Commerce on growing overseas trade, and he also presented the Chamber’s annual awards.

He also made time to visit a handful of companies specialising in agricultural, highways and transport products.

Mr Davies said: “I’ve identified a couple of devices developed by New Zealanders which fit well with existing Alamo product ranges. I envisage we can develop their potential throughout Europe and North America and negotiations are under way to manufacture them in Britain.

“I’m delighted with the trip because it yielded positive results on a number of fronts,” he added.

Although he was born in Shropshire, Geoffrey Davies went to school in Dunedin, New Zealand, after his family emigrated. He later returned to Britain and served in the Navy before entering business and commerce.