The Beigel boy

Clearly an exponent of the laid-back approach to academic honours is Florian Beigel, professor of architecture at the University of North London. Awarded the post back in 1992 when UNL won university status, Professor Beigel - who may also be the only senior academic who shares his name with a Jewish delicacy - held off on holding his inaugural lecture until yesterday, when he could also mark the institution's centenary.