The honorands for our Derby November 2018 ceremonies were:
Ceremony 1
Kay Fawcett OBE – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)
Kay has had a long and distinguished career in nursing in the Midlands. Qualifying through the Warwickshire School of Nursing in 1980, she rose from front-line nursing into education and management during her 37-year career, latterly as Chief Nurse in Derby and Birmingham. On retirement from the NHS, Kay took up a portfolio career and has contributed to significant transformation of the support worker workforce. She led the development of the national Care Certificate in 2014 for Health Education England, an agreed set of standards for specific roles in the health and social care sectors. She has also made a significant contribution to the development of apprenticeship standards for healthcare support workers and the development of the nursing degree apprenticeship, working closely with the University in this area. In 2014 Kay was awarded an OBE for services to nursing. The University wishes to recognise Kay’s achievements in the provision of health and social care education and her impact on the healthcare workforce.
Steve Perez is chairman of Global Brands, a leading independent drinks business, and owner of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel in Chesterfield. Steve grew up in Chesterfield and founded the Global Beer Company in 1986, initially selling imported beer to local pubs and clubs from the back of a van. In 1997 he spotted a gap in the market and launched VK, now one of the best-selling vodka-based drinks in the UK. In 2002 Global Brands was the UK’s fourth fastest growing company and Steve was voted CBI Entrepreneur of the Year. Since then Steve has expanded into property, farming and hotels. When he is not working, Steve can be found at track racing days where he is a four-time British rally champion. The University wishes to recognise Steve’s achievements as a local entrepreneur and his impact on the local economy.
Colin has dedicated his life to exploring the world and discovering butterflies. He has studied and identified hundreds of new species and is one of the world’s leading experts on butterflies of the Philippines. Colin enjoyed a long career with Procter & Gamble, being appointed Director of the company’s German operations in 1978, and pursued his interest in entomology in his spare time. In 1978 he began publishing work with the help of scholars in the field and has produced more than 100 publications to date. After his retirement from Procter & Gamble in 1987, he made research trips almost every year to the Philippines, camping for weeks in jungles where he encountered pirates, guerrilla groups and giant snakes. Since his move to Derby, Colin has been a friend to the University and has shared his great knowledge and experience of working on butterfly taxonomy with staff and students. The University wishes to recognise Colin’s significant contribution to butterfly research.
The honorands for our Buxton November 2018 ceremonies were:
Ceremony 1
Lizzie Ball - Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv)
Lizzie is a violinist, vocalist, educator, and concert producer. Derbyshire-born and internationally acclaimed, Lizzie is known principally for her creation of a unique brand, Classical Kicks, which is a refreshing, down to earth approach to classical music performance. As a solo artist her violin/vocal collaborations include Nigel Kennedy (as a soloist and leader of his Orchestra of Life for eight years), Jeff Beck and Brian Wilson (as featured frontline band member), Judith Owen with Bryan Ferry, Ariana Grande, and many more. Performance highlights include headlining at Madison Square Garden, New York, for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, several critically acclaimed US-wide tours, and directing the historical Palestine Prom for BBC Proms 2013 in the Royal Albert Hall. Lizzie is currently developing an original production, ‘Corrido: A Ballad for the Brave’ about the life and times of Frida Kahlo. The University wishes to recognise Lizzie’s achievements in the field of music and her innovative and creative approach to classical music.
Max was born in rural West Germany and from an early age had two great interests – cooking and gardening. He embarked upon a career as a chef that saw him working in Michelin Star establishments across Europe. Always coveting the idea of owning his own restaurant, Max moved to England with his wife in 1980, taking over a small café in Bakewell, Derbyshire, which they renamed Fischer’s. The restaurant was soon acclaimed locally, regionally and nationally by the harshest of food critics and guides. In 1989 Fischer’s moved to beautiful Baslow Hall and earned their first Michelin Star in 1994, which they have retained ever since. Max now concentrates on his other passion, gardening, and in particular growing produce for use in the kitchen at Baslow Hall. The University wishes to recognise Max’s services to the hospitality industry and the impact of his Michelin Star restaurant in Derbyshire and nationally.
The honorands for our July 2018 ceremonies were:
Ceremony 1
Mr Alan Gifford CEng, FWeld Inst – Honorary Master of the University (HonMUniv)
Alan Gifford’s career in welding and quality management spanned over 40 years at International Combustion Ltd (ICL) in Derby. Responsible for engineering thousands of welds for numerous power station boilers and nuclear installations throughout the world, Alan introduced innovative welding techniques and formal quality standards to ICL. He played a key role at the Welding Institute as they introduced formal quality systems into international welding operations. Alan was also a founder member in 1996 of the Heage Windmill Society, a charitable trust. Built in 1797 and restored in 2002, Heage Windmill is the only working, stone towered, multi-sailed windmill in England – a real Derbyshire gem. The University wishes to recognise Alan’s achievements in the field of welding and quality, his impact on manufacturing and his voluntary work in the region.
Jonathan Joseph was born in Derby and began playing rugby at Derby RFC when he was ten years old. He currently plays for Bath Rugby and represents England on the international stage. In 2015 Jonathan won the Rugby Players’ Association’s Players’ Player of the Year and England Player of the Year for his outstanding performances for both club and country during the 2014/15 season. He toured with the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand last year and took his place in the England squad for this year’s Six Nations. The University wishes to recognise Jonathan’s services to sport and his outstanding success as an international professional rugby player.
Daniel Hanson is a clothing and textiles designer and professional design consultant. In 1989 he established his company ‘Daniel Hanson’ in Nottingham, which is now an international brand with a reputation for producing the best nightwear in the world. The company, cited by the Independent as being the ‘Sistine Chapel ceiling of dressing-gown luxury’, unusually maintains its own manufacturing base in the UK. Daniel’s garments can be found in high end retailers such as Harrods in London and Bergdorf Goodman in New York, and his client list includes high profile individuals from all around the globe. Daniel studied at Derby College of Art & Technology and later lectured at the Royal College of Art and then Nottingham Trent University before setting up his own practice. The University wishes to recognise Daniel’s contribution to fashion and his international success as a textile designer.
Steve Perez is chairman of Global Brands, a leading independent drinks business, and owner of Casa Hotel and Peak Edge Hotel in Chesterfield. Steve grew up in Chesterfield and founded the Global Beer Company in 1986, initially selling imported beer to local pubs and clubs from the back of a van. In 1997 he spotted a gap in the market and launched VK, now one of the best-selling vodka-based drinks in the UK. In 2002 Global Brands was the UK’s fourth fastest growing company and Steve was voted CBI Entrepreneur of the Year. Since then Steve has expanded into property, farming and hotels. When he is not working, Steve can be found at track racing days where he is a four-time British rally champion. The University wishes to recognise his achievements as a local entrepreneur and his impact on the local economy.
Update: Mr Perez was unable to attend the ceremony on 19 July due to a motor racing accident, so received his award at a future ceremony.
Alastair Redfern has held the position of Bishop of Derby since 2005. During this time he has led the Diocese of Derby through significant changes and has established a range of key partnerships between the Church and the local community. He is a member of the House of Lords and is the Church of England’s spokesman for International Development, speaking extensively on women and girls’ rights in developing countries. He is committed to the fight against modern slavery, having sat on the joint Parliamentary Select Committee for the draft Modern Slavery Bill and supported the legislation through Parliament until the Royal Assent of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The University wishes to recognise his fight against modern slavery and his commitment to the University and the wider local community.
Ceremony 6
Ms Kathryn Stone – Honorary Doctor of Laws (HonLLD)
Born in Derby and raised in Belper, Kathryn has enjoyed a 40-year career in public service. She recently became Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, an independent officer of the House of Commons overseeing the code of conduct and rules for MPs. During her career she spent 11 years as Chief Executive of the charity Voice UK, representing the rights of people with learning disabilities who were victims of abuse and crime. She was awarded an OBE in 2007 for her services to people with learning disabilities. She has also held the challenging role of Commissioner for the Victims and Survivors in Northern Ireland, was a Commissioner for the Independent Police Complaints Commission and has held the role of Chief Legal Ombudsman of England and Wales. The University wishes to recognise her outstanding contribution to public service.
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