So, the good people of South Wales really think that creating an academic center to study workplace bullying will really find a solution to this age-old problem? If that's what they think will be achieved, more power to them.
Seriously, folks, go a Google search every week on the workplace, and you'll find countless articles on bullying in the workplace and perceived solutions to the problem. Everyone is so certain that they've got the answer on how to eradicate this problem, yet it never seems to go away.
I don't have the solution, but I do have a low (very low) tolerance for putting up with such people in the workplace, much like I did as a child in dealing with bullies on the playground.
Back when I was eight, these kids would lose privileges of things they enjoy – such as recess, extracurricular activities, or field trips. Since such things are of little value to a 35-45 year old man, perhaps there are other methods of letting him know that such behavior is unacceptable in civilized society. Perhaps docking wages or a warning prior to termination of employment might be clear-cut messages of getting the message across.
No need to spend buckets of cash on studies and centers when you simply need to speak to bullies in a language that they understand - namely $, €, £, or ¥.