Honour for Paralympic gold medallist

A gold medal-winning Paralympian has added to his haul of accolades with an honorary degree from the University of Wolverhampton.

Former Paralympic swimmer Chris Holmes, now Lord Holmes of Richmond, won nine gold, five silver and one bronze medal across four Games, including a record haul of six golds at Barcelona 1992.

He was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Letters on Friday, 15 September 2017 in recognition of his contribution and achievements in sport as well as his passion for promoting accessibility and celebrating diversity.

Lord Holmes said: “I’m absolutely delighted, honoured and humbled to receive this award from the University.  I grew up just down the road from Wolverhampton and am keenly aware of the excellent work the University is engaged with.  It’s excellent to have such an institution providing such an array of opportunities for the people of the West Midlands and far beyond.”

Chris Holmes is also chair of the Global Disability Innovation Hub, diversity advisor to the civil service, non-executive director at Channel 4 and deputy Chancellor at BPP University.

In 2013, he became a Conservative Peer in the House of Lords.

Chris is co-chair of the Parliamentary Group on Assistive Technology, vice-chair of the Fintech Group and member of the 4th IR Group. He has been a member of House of Lords Select Committees on digital skills, social mobility and financial exclusion and currently, artificial intelligence.

Before entering the Lords, Chris was director of paralympic integration at the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). From 2013-2017 he was disability commissioner at the Equality and Human Rights Commission and is a qualified lawyer.

The University of Wolverhampton awards honorary degrees to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.

Graduation takes place at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, from Friday 15 September to Friday, 22 September 2017.

For more information about University of Wolverhampton courses visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/clearing 

Further information

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: