Honorary degrees 2008
Monday 27 October 2008
Southampton Solent University is honouring achievements in education, the arts, fashion, technology and business with its honorary degree awards 2008.
Recipients will include Academy Award winning star of stage and screen Jeremy Irons and internationally renowned R&B singer-songwriter Craig David.
The awards will be made during the University's Graduation ceremonies, which take place from 3-7 November at Southampton Guildhall.
Those receiving honorary degrees include (in alphabetical order):
James Brathwaite CBE
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Business)
James Brathwaite is one of the UK's leading businessmen. Following an early career in accountancy, marketing and sales he went on to form Epic Interactive Media in 1989 which became one of Europe's largest multi-media companies. He floated the company in 1996 and became Britain's first Black CEO of a publicly quoted company. He became a director of Sussex Training and Enterprise Council Ltd in 1993 and was the founding Chairman of Business Link Sussex until 2001. He is Chairman of a variety of businesses in Sussex, and is currently the Chairman of SEAL Ltd – an environmental company used to test drinking water. He was awarded a CBE for his services to the Sussex economy in 2001.
Rachel Burnett
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology)
Rachel Burnett spent several years as an IT professional. As a systems analyst with the National Data Processing Service she helped develop some of the largest and most complex data storage and retrieval systems in Europe. While working full-time in IT, she studied for her law examinations. She is now a qualified solicitor with her own legal practice, providing commercial legal services in all IT matters. She is currently President of the British Computer Society, and a former Chair of the Association of Women Solicitors.
Craig David
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Music)
Southampton-born Craig David is an internationally renowned R&B singer/songwriter, whose first single Fill Me In made him the youngest solo male artist ever to reach number one in the UK. Since working with the Southampton based garage act Artful Dodger on the #2 hit Rewind, he has sold over 13 million copies of his first four albums and Born To Do It (#1, 2000), Slicker Than Your Average (#4, 2002), The Story Goes (#5, 2005) and last year's Trust Me have all been certified multi-Platinum. All of Craig David's 18 singles have been Top 20 hits around the world.
Declaring the proudest moment of his career to date being when he arrived at Wembley Arena to find that he'd sold-out three consecutive nights, Craig David has also lifted numerous industry awards including three Ivor Novello Awards (including two highly prestigious awards for Songwriter Of The Year and Best Contemporary Song), four MOBOs (one for Best UK Act) and two MTV Europe Awards.
Craig David will be releasing his first Greatest Hits set on November 24 2008.
Professor Kenneth Gregory CBE
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of the University)
Professor Kenneth Gregory has been involved in Higher Education for his entire professional life, and has been a significant influence on the successful growth of Southampton Solent University over the past ten years. He joined the University of Southampton as Professor of Geography in 1978 and held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1988 to 1992. Between 1992 and 1998 he was Warden of Goldsmiths University of London, before becoming a member of Southampton Solent University's Board of Governors in 1998. He went on to hold the position of Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors from 2000 to 2007. Professor Gregory was awarded the CBE for his services to geography and Higher Education in 2007.
John Greaves
(Receives an Honorary Fellow)
John Greaves is a partner in an internationally renowned design company Greaves Best Design with a client base that includes major blue chip multi-nationals. He has been a constant source of support, constructive criticism, and ideas for Southampton Solent University – giving his time generously and without reward. He was consulted in the development of the University's BA (Hons) Product Design with Marketing and has been an active participant in the design of the new Masters course in Industrial Design.
Greaves Best Design was awarded The Plastics Industry Awards Consumer Product Design of the Year award in 2007.
Jeremy Irons
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts)
Jeremy Irons is an internationally renowned film, television and theatre actor. He was born in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, educated in Dorset and trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His big break came with the role of John the Baptist in the musical Godspell in the 1970s. He found fame with the television role of Charles Ryder in Brideshead Revisited in 1981. In the same year he appeared opposite Meryl Streep in The French Lieutenant's Woman and went on to appear in numerous films, including Reversal of Fortune for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
In 2007 Jeremy won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role in the television mini-series, Elizabeth I.
Jean Leake
(Receives the honorary degree of Master of Business Administration)
Jean Leake is a successful entrepreneur who owns two restaurants/cabaret venues in Southampton. Born and brought up on the Isle of Wight she always wanted to work in the hospitality trade. After working as a waitress at the Penguin Café in Ryde she moved to Southampton and learnt the trade in bars and restaurants in the city and worked in the entertainment industry as a manager. She has become one of the city's most successful businesswomen. She built her reputation at Merchants in Ocean Village before opening NV – the former Nat West building in the High Street.
Jenny Packham
(Receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Arts)
Southampton-born Jenny Packham is an internationally renowned fashion designer. She studied Fashion at Southampton Solent University (formerly Southampton Institute) before graduating with a First Class Honours degree from St Martins School of Art. She founded Jenny Packham London Limited with her partner – designing glamorous evening wear – and launched her first collection at the London Designer Show in 1988. Her designs have become red carpet favourites and have appeared in acclaimed films, including Sex in the City, The Devil Wears Prada and Casino Royale.
She has been honoured as Hollywood Style Designer of the Year, International Couture Bridal Designer of the Year 2007, and British Bridal Dress Designer of the Year 2008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE PRESS OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040
MON 3 NOVEMBER 11.00
Mr James Brathwaite CBE – Honorary Doctor of Business
In recognition of his contribution to the business world shown both by his own business and entrepreneurial achievements and by the role he consistently plays in encouraging and supporting the development of a knowledge-led economy and business environment.
MON 3 NOVEMBER 14.30
Mr Jeremy Irons – Honorary Doctor of Arts
In recognition of his contribution to the film, theatre, television and music areas of the Arts.
TUE 4 NOVEMBER 11.00
Professor Ken Gregory CBE – Honorary Doctor of the University
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of Southampton Solent University, his subject discipline, and his work within the higher education sector generally.
WED 5 NOVEMBER 11.00
Ms Rachel Burnett – Honorary Doctor of Technology
In recognition of her contribution to law and the IT industry, currently being President of the British Computer Society, and a former Chair of the Association of Women Solicitors.
WED 5 NOVEMBER 14.30
Mr John Greaves – Honorary Fellow
In recognition of his support and contribution to the development of Design courses at Southampton Solent University.
WED 5 NOVEMBER 14.30
Ms Jenny Packham – Honorary Doctor of Arts
In recognition of her support and contribution to the development of current fashion students.
FRI 7 NOVEMBER 11.00
Ms Jean Leake – Honorary Master of Business Administration
In recognition of her achievements as a woman overcoming challenges to become a successful restauraneur in a challenging business environment, and showing a commitment to Southampton city.
FRI 7 NOVEMBER 11.00
Mr Craig David – Honorary Doctor of Music
In recognition of his contribution to the music industry.