Businessman and philanthropist Sir Maurice Hatter loves deep sea diving — he’s been doing it for 30 years with Haifa university’s department of maritime civilisations.

Sir Maurice, chairman of electronics component company IMO Precision Controls, has pulled up several artefacts now on display in the university museum, where he has served as governor and head of the student committee.

Last month, he donated a new 5,000 sq m edifice, The Hatter Student Building, to mark his 80th birthday. He tells People: “It has been a very emotional trip. I have had a lump in my throat whenever I was speaking.” Sir Maurice also received a birthday card from Tony Blair. As for his underwater exploration, he says: “Maybe at this age I should stop these crazy things,” before pointing out that he only said “maybe”.