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University announces honours list
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A gold medal-winning Paralympian and leading figures in the arts and business world are to be honoured by the University of Wolverhampton.
The University awards honorary degrees and fellowships to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.
This year, 14 people are to be recognised during this September’s graduation ceremonies.
Mickey Bushell, from Telford, won gold in the 100m at the 2012 London Paralympics and is being recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Sport for his success in the field of athletics.
Airship and ballooning pioneer, Mike Kendrick, who formed the Virgin Airship and Balloon Company with Sir Richard Branson in 1988, will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology. Mike, who is from Bridgnorth, will be honoured for his pioneering work on the technology of ballooning and his revolutionary approach to business and marketing.
Stewart Towe, Group Chairman and Managing Director of Hadley Industries Holding Ltd in Smethwick, will be honoured for services to the region’s enterprise through the commercial and financial development. Stewart, who is also Chair of the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration.
Also set to be honoured is Joan Blaney for her commitment to educating and empowering women through her work with young people and women in the UK and Africa. Joan, who graduated from Wolverhampton Polytechnic which is now the University, is also an author.
Awards will be presented to Michael Elliott, Chief Executive of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and former Chair of the University’s Board of Governors, and Director of Warwick Arts Centre, Doreen Foster.
Other recipients include Tim Taylor, senior partner in the international law firm of Clyde & Co LLP and a graduate of the University, and Roy Bernard, Founder and owner of Select Healthcare Group.
Founders of the Refugee and Migrant Centre (Black Country and Birmingham), Arten Llazari and Mohammed Mustafa, will both receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Science.
An Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science will be presented to Professor Sadaf Farooqi, an internationally renowned Clinician Scientist who has made a major contribution to the understanding of the genetics of obesity.
The University will also recognise the first female President of the Institute of Measurement and Control, Dr Beverley Stanford and co-founder of Listers car dealership Keith Bradshaw.
Pat Green, a former member of University staff who is internationally renowned for her work developing accredited volunteering opportunities for students, will receive an Honorary Fellowship.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “The University awards Honorary Degrees to high-profile figures that make a significant contribution to their field of expertise. These figureheads provide inspiration for our students, graduates and staff.
“Each year the University of Wolverhampton is proud to recognise the achievements of various people across a broad range of specialisms, many of whom have local connections with the University. We look forward to welcoming our new honorary degree recipients to our graduation ceremonies in September.”
The awards will be presented during the University’s graduation ceremonies, which take place at the Grand Theatre from Thursday, 12 September to Friday, 20 September 2019.
The full list of honorary recipients and their awards is below:
Thursday, 12 September 2019
Mike Kendrick - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Technology. In recognition of his pioneering work on the technology of ballooning which brought this method of aviation to new parts of the world and his revolutionary approach to business and marketing.
Doreen Foster - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts. In recognition of her contribution to arts and culture, in particular her passion and drive for leadership in the arts and commitment to local outreach projects.
Friday, 13 September 2019
Timothy Taylor - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws. In recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, in particular in the field of international dispute resolution practice with one of the biggest global law firms.
Mohamed Mustafa and Arten Llazari - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Science. In recognition of their work through their charity, The Refugee and Migrant Centre, and their dedication to supporting migrants by removing barriers to their integration.
Pat Green – Honorary Fellowship. In recognition of her contribution to student volunteering in the curriculum, for which she has become internationally renowned.
Monday, 16 September 2019
Michael Elliott - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts. In recognition of his lifetime contribution to the field of international arts and culture and to acknowledge the many years of service he has given to the University.
Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Joan Blaney - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education. In recognition of her work with recreational charities and, in particular, her commitment to educating, empowering, and facilitating women on their path from home to the workplace.
Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Roy Bernard - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration. In recognition of entrepreneurial approach to business in the residential care home field and his dedication to the young people of the City of Wolverhampton through his work with ‘The Way’ and ‘The Wolverhampton Youth Zone’.
Mickey Bushell - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Sport. In recognition of his success in the field of athletics, in particular his record-breaking and gold medal achievements.
Thursday, 19 September 2019
Stewart Towe - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration. In recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, in particular for his services to the region’s enterprise through the commercial and financial development of Hadley Industries Holdings Ltd.
Keith Bradshaw - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration. In recognition of his lifetime achievements in business, in particular in growing ‘Listers’ into England’s largest independent dealer group and building ‘Nurtons’ into one of the region’s leading developers of industrial, office and mixed use retail and leisure space.
Sadaf Farooqi - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science. In recognition of her major contribution to the understanding of the genetics of obesity (a major health problem in the West Midlands and the UK) and the neurophysiology of appetite control.
Friday, 20 September 2019
Beverley Stanford - Honorary Degree of Doctor of Engineering. In recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of control theory and systems engineering methodologies, in particular her insight into ‘value management’ and her role as the first female President of the Institute of Measurement and Control.
Further information
Pictured: Mickey Bushell, Mike Kendrick and Joan Blaney
For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.
Date Issued: Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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