Professor of Enterprise recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours List

Marvin Cooke, Professor of Enterprise (Professional Practice) at the University of Derby, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in HM The King’s New Year Honours List for 2025.

The honours system recognises people for their achievements in public life and commitment to serving and helping the UK. Derby is famous for its enterprise heritage and, prior to joining the University of Derby, Professor Cooke spent 40 years driving industry forward in the UK, predominantly at Toyota, culminating in leading its manufacturing arm as Executive Vice President.

The University of Derby is renowned for its industry engaged approach to higher education and Professor Cooke is sharing his vast knowledge and experience of a fast-paced, high-tech global environment with its academics, students, and industry partners. He is committed to ensuring that business leaders of the future are equipped with the academic and practical skills they will need to forge successful careers and make a positive impact.

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said:

“Professor Cooke is a world leader in industry engagement, and he vibrantly brings business to life with real-world scenarios. He is an excellent and inspiring colleague and all of us at the University of Derby are incredibly delighted and proud of him.”  

The University of Derby is renowned for its leading-edge approach to industry engaged teaching and learning. Derby Business School innovatively fuses world-leading academics with business practitioners in a research-rich environment. It offers a broad range of business programmes including opportunities to study business alongside entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, law, accounting, criminology, or theatre.

There is a two-year fast track degree offered jointly with Rolls-Royce, and a host of other leading employers who engage and support student development. Students chose to come and study at Derby from all around the world and 2025 will see the University open a new £75m Business School building in the heart of the city.

Professor Mitchell added:

“This building will provide an exciting new home for our business leaders of the future. With applications to Derby Business School increasing rapidly year on year, this space will provide the environment to nurture talent and support businesses in the region. Professor Cooke is an exceptional colleague who is helping to ensure the University of Derby is recognised as one of the best places to study business in the world.”

Commenting on receiving the OBE, Professor Cooke said:

“I am deeply humbled to receive the honour of an OBE for services to automotive manufacturing. The automotive sector has long been a driving force of innovation and, despite undergoing a period of profound change, continues to advance the frontiers of technology and sustainability. I share this honour with all those I have had the privilege and pleasure of working with across the wider automotive sector, and I am forever indebted to my family for their unwavering support.”

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