Honour for local businessman and charity Chairman

Mr Meynell was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration at a graduation ceremony at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre on Thursday, 8 September 2011.

The award, presented by the , was conferred in recognition of Hugh’s entrepreneurial flair and business leadership.

Hugh Meynell was born in Albrighton in 1931. Educated at Ampleforth, his French tutor was a young monk named Basil Hume, later becoming Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.

Commissioned for National Service spent in Germany, a career at Meynell & Sons followed for 40 years, where Hugh was the 6th generation.

The Company followed England’s history: making pumps before mains water; gas fittings for the gas age; electric fittings for the electrical age, and always made plumbing products. Hugh pioneered Safemix Thermostatic Showers into their range for the QE2 liner, Buckingham Palace and many hospitals.

Hugh developed exports and started companies in Japan and the USA and was responsible for worldwide sales to 53 countries. The Company was sold to Caradon in 1988 and Hugh undertook voluntary work including being: Shropshire Chairman of St John Ambulance for nine years, Chairman of the Rural Development Commission for 3 years, and High Sheriff of Shropshire. He is the current president of the Shrewsbury Flower Show.

Mr Meynell, Chairman of the County Air Ambulance Trust, joined the Charity in the mid 1990s which now raises £2 million per annum to support three air ambulances at Cosford, Strensham and Stafford.

He was awarded an MBE in 2000.

The University’s graduation ceremonies are being held at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Thursday, 1 September to Friday 9 September 2011.

ENDS

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