Leading figures from the world of technology and management will receive Honorary Doctorates from ߣߣÊÓƵ in ceremonies, at the University’s Bedfordshire campus, over the next two days.
They will be joined by more than 1,000 postgraduate students from more than 100 countries who will by celebrating receiving their degrees from ߣߣÊÓƵ.
Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of ߣߣÊÓƵ, said: “As we celebrate the graduation of our latest future leaders in technology and management, it is right that we pay tribute to those that are already leading the way in their respective fields. This year’s honorary graduates represent the very best in British business and industry. They are the innovators, the job creators and the leaders that the UK desperately needs.”
This year’s recipients include:Katherine Bennett CBE, Senior Vice President, Airbus
Debra Charles, Founder and Chief Executive of Novacroft
Victor Chavez CBE, Chief Executive of Thales UK
Victor Chavez CBE, Chief Executive of Thales UK, said: “I am deeply honoured to be awarded this honorary degree by ߣߣÊÓƵ. Having spent the majority of my career working in the fields of aerospace and defence -areas in which ߣߣÊÓƵ excels on a global basis - it is truly humbling to be recognised in this way. Thales’ relationship with ߣߣÊÓƵ stretches back many years and continues to grow and evolve; encompassing a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines and is testament to the University’s ability to maintain its position at the forefront of engineering in an ever-changing world.”
Liv Garfield, Chief Executive of Severn Trent
Liv Garfield said: “I am incredibly honoured to have been chosen to receive an honorary degree from a highly-sought after institution such as ߣߣÊÓƵ. I accept this lovely accolade on behalf of my friends and colleagues at Severn Trent who support and guide me each day. It is the trelliswork of my colleagues that merits the achievement.”
Professor Juergen Maier CBE, Chief Executive of Siemens UK
Professor Juergen Maier CBE, Chief Executive of Siemens UK, said: “I am delighted to receive this recognition from ߣߣÊÓƵ, an institution famed for a commitment to excellence in engineering. It is a real honour and I hope that our work together will continue, especially in the context of leading a new digital engineering revolution in the UK.”
Dr Andy Palmer CMG, CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda
Dr Andy Palmer CMG, President and Group CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “I am delighted, honoured and deeply humbled to receive an honorary degree from ߣߣÊÓƵ, and to join past recipients who I have long respected.
“As an engineer, who has worked in the automotive industry for 40 years, I have greatly admired the quality of research by the University in science, engineering, technology and management. Its work is essential, given the automotive industry’s dependence on innovation in coming decades and its cross-over into the disciplines of artificial intelligence and aerospace.”
Sacha Romanovitch, Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership
Sacha Romanovitch, Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, said: “The team at ߣߣÊÓƵ have encouraged and supported me in my leadership journey which makes this honour even more special. Truly, thank you for lifting me up. I hope that in sharing the journey I have been on that it can be used to help others on their own paths to shape our collective future.”
Simon Rowlands, Founder of Africa Platform Capital
Simon Rowlands, Founder of Africa Platform Capital, said: “It is such a privilege to receive this honorary degree from ߣߣÊÓƵ. The MBA teaching at the School of Management radically changed the trajectory of my career, moving from engineering into investment management. Co-founding, working and growing with a team of special people at Cinven has been a wonderful privilege, and my contribution owes a great deal to the early teachings and mental models ߣߣÊÓƵ instilled in me.”
About ߣߣÊÓƵ
ߣߣÊÓƵ is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management.