The man credited with securing the long-term future of the ss Great Britain has been nominated for a University of Bristol centenary degree.

Roger Smedley, 73, worked tirelessly for the ss Great Britain Trust in Great Western Dockyard for 15 years and spent the last eight years as chairman before retiring in January.

Mr Smedley says his biggest achievements were securing the ship's future by sealing a deal for a 120-year lease on the dockyard site and winning a £7.75 million lottery grant to renovate Brunel's famous vessel.

During his time at the helm, the visitor attraction picked up the Gulbenkian Prize for museum of the year and an Enjoy England award for large visitor attraction of the year.

Annual visitor numbers grew from 70,000 in 2003 to an all-time high of 200,000 in 2006 with the liner now drawing more than 160,000 a year.

Father-of-two Mr Smedley, who was awarded an MBE in 1990 for services to technology in industry, was nominated for a centenary degree by the trust's new chairman, Colin Green.

He said: "Determined to ensure the long-term security of the ss Great Britain, Roger, alongside the director and board of trustees, had the vision to work with partners including Bristol City Council and the University of Bristol on an exciting project to develop land adjoining the ship.

"As well as creating an endowment fund, the trust is building the Brunel Institute, a conservation and learning centre. This initiative is in partnership with the university and will give Bristol an archive and library of global significance accessible by academics, visitors and residents alike.

"It will deliver new and accredited educational programmes to all age groups, from three to 93.

"The conservation of the ss Great Britain, it's financial security, success as a world-class museum and visitor attraction, and the trust's future work through the Brunel Institute are due in no small part to the passion and commitment of Roger Smedley."

A former Bristol Aeroplane Company apprentice, Stoke Bishop resident Mr Smedley co-founded engineering designers SAC Consultants, which grew to employ 1,400 staff. He worked at the firm until 1992, when he retired as chairman and chief executive.

A member of the executive committee of the ss Great Britain Project since 1994, he led the team which made the successful £7.75 million lottery bid in 1995, which was boosted to £10 million through fundraising.

In 1998, an extensive survey discovered the ship's hull was continuing to corrode in the humid atmosphere of the dock.

Conservation work, which culminated in the installation of a glass plate across the dry dock at the ship's water line, was carried out and the attraction was relaunched in July 2005.

When told about his nomination, Merchant Venturer Mr Smedley, who will retire as a trustee in May, said: "That's fantastic news and it's very kind and generous of Colin to put my name forward.

"A lot of hard work has gone into the ss Great Britain by a team I was privileged to lead. It's success is there for everyone to see, especially the technological achievement of preserving the ship.

"The children seem to love it and it's been a great success for Bristol."

Four centenary degrees, to mark the University of Bristol's 100th anniversary, will be awarded in a ceremony on July 15 to salute community heroes.