Award-winning journalist Clive Myrie and business leaders James Timpson OBE and Sir Terry Leahy will all receive honorary doctorates from the University in recognition of their achievements.
Edge Hill awards honorary degrees in recognition of those who have made significant contributions across different fields of accomplishment and whose outstanding achievements resonate with the ethos of the University.
As leaders in their field, they will join thousands of students on campus during a week-long celebration of learning and excellence, running from Monday 17 to Friday 21 July.
During the week, the University will also install sport and media executive and trailblazer Dawn Airey as Chancellor.
An internationally well-respected executive in the broadcast and media industries; she has been CEO of Channel 4, Channel 5 and Getty Images and worked at the highest levels within ITV, Sky and Yahoo.
“Graduation is a wonderful occasion for everyone and I hope our graduands will feel inspired by sharing this special moment with four leaders in their fields.
“It is also a great privilege to be able to formally welcome Dawn into her role as our new Chancellor and have Clive, James and Sir Terry join our inspirational honorary doctorate community.”
Dr John Cater, Vice-Chancellor, Edge Hill University
Clive Myrie will receive his Honorary Doctor of Arts award on Monday 17 July.
Born and raised in Bolton as the son of Windrush generation parents from Jamaica, Clive Myrie has reported from all over the world.
In all he’s reported from close to a hundred countries, covering some of the most important stories of our time including every US Presidential election since 1996.
He’s won among other accolades the Royal Television Society Award for TV Journalist of the Year and Presenter of the Year, a Peabody Award for his reporting of the Rohingya/Myanmar crisis, the David Bloom Award for coverage of Mexico’s deadly drug gangs, and he’s been nominated for two BAFTA Awards and two Emmys.
Also on Monday 17 July, James Timpson will be conferred as Honorary Doctor of Business Administration.
Not only a trailblazer in business, chairman of Timpson Group, James is also a dedicated and enthusiastic champion of tackling social issues and promoting corporate social responsibility.
James became Managing Director in 2002 and is now the company’s Chief Executive.
He has passionately advocated for the recruitment of ex-offenders and Timpson now employs over 600 prison leavers, representing over 10% of the company workforce.
On Friday 21 July, Sir Terry Leahy will be conferred as Honorary Doctor of Business Administration. Sir Terry, who successfully devised and implemented the groundbreaking Clubcard loyalty programme, was credited with turning Tesco into one of the world’s leading supermarket chains.
Over a contribution to the retail industry spanning five decades, Sir Terry has also steered B&M Stores onto the stock market, increasing revenue from £993m to £2.7bn.
Edge Hill has a rich, diverse community of over 90 honorary doctors who have made a difference in society. Previous recipients include Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jennifer Saunders, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Ranvir Singh, David Morrissey, Marc Almond and Alexei Sayle.
To find out more visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/graduation/honorary-awards/.
July 10, 2023
