Wolves Chairman receives honour from city’s University

Steve Morgan OBE was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters at a graduation ceremony today (Friday, Sept 10 2010).

The University of Wolverhampton presented the award in recognition of Mr Morgan’s significant services to the home building industry and his entrepreneurial flair and passion for sport and leisure.

Mr Morgan received the award alongside students collecting their degrees at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

At the ceremony, Steve said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive such a prestigious award from the University. It is truly a great honour and further strengthens my enormous bond with the City and the University in particular.

“Since I took over as Chairman of Wolves three years ago the relationship between the Club and the University has gone from strength to strength. We are working together on the redevelopment of the Molineux quarter, which will be a major regeneration catalyst for the City. Receiving this award today means so much.”

Born in Liverpool, Steve Morgan, 57, is the founder of Redrow plc, which he started at the age of 21 with the aid of a £5,000 loan from his father. Under his leadership Redrow became one of the UK’s most successful homebuilders and a FTSE 250 Company. He led the flotation of the Company in 1994 and eventually stepped down as Chairman in November 2000, although his company, Bridgemere, remained one of the largest shareholders. Steve returned to the helm at Redrow in March 2009.

Steve is also Chairman of the Bridgemere Group of Companies, which has significant land and commercial development interests in the UK and Europe. Bridgemere’s other activities included Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Trinity Aviation and Carden Park Hotel, one of the UK’s leading golf resorts.

In August 2007 Steve became Chairman of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club following a unique deal with former owner Sir Jack Hayward. Steve paid Sir Jack a token £10 for the club; together with a £30 million capital injection. Under Steve’s leadership Wolves were crowned Champions of the Championship in 2009 and are now established in the Premiership.

In 2001 Steve founded The Morgan Foundation, a charity which is one of the largest providers of funding for children’s and family charities across North Wales, Merseyside and West Cheshire. The Morgan Foundation is also the main funder for “Wolves Aid”, which is the largest charity of its type in football. The Morgan Foundation philosophy is “making a difference”.

In 1992 Steve was awarded the OBE for his services to the construction industry. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Builders and holds three Honorary Fellowships at Liverpool John Moores University, Cardiff University and Glyndwr University.

Steve lives in Cheshire with his wife, Didy, and has five children.

ENDS

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