Honorary Awards at the November 2017 Graduation Ceremonies

Four recipients will receive the award of Honorary Doctorate of the University

A RETAIL guru who restored the fortunes of an ailing fashion giant is among the list of distinguished people from the worlds of business, engineering and science who will receive honorary doctorates from the University of Huddersfield at the November 2017 Awards Ceremonies.

The recipients will be (in alphabetical order)...

Beth Butterwick

Philip Greenish CBE

Sir David McMurtry

Professor Lesley Yellowlees CBE

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Beth Butterwick

Beth Butterwick’s varied 25-year career in retail began with a graduate traineeship at Marks and Spencer’s clothing division.  She has also worked for Gap and is currently CEO of multi-national fashion chain Karen Millen.

In 2011, she became Brand Director at Bonmarché, a Huddersfield-based chain of clothes retailers founded in 1982, and with 300 stores throughout the UK.  But soon after her arrival, the firm’s corporate owners went into administration, threatening the loss of thousands of jobs.

After Bonmarché was sold to new owners, Ms Butterwick steered a massive turnaround, leading to a successful stock market flotation.  Her achievements led to recognition that included the title Barclay’s Business Woman of the Year in 2015.

Philip Greenish CBE

Also to be honoured is Philip Greenish, who has been Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Engineering since 2003.  Before that he was an engineer who served in the Royal Navy, spending 15 years in destroyers and frigates or in design and support roles ashore, including a spell working for the Canadian Navy.  He also held Whitehall postings at the Ministry of Defence.

He attained the rank of Rear Admiral, being responsible for engineering, personnel and logistic support for the front line of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. 

During his time at the helm of the Royal Academy, it has grown significantly, with a vision to put engineering in the heart of society.

Sir David McMurtry

Sir David McMurtry, Chairman and Chief Executive of the multi-national Renishaw plc, is already a visiting professor of Huddersfield University, which is a leading centre for the study and research of metrology, the science of measurement.  Now, he receives an honorary doctorate.

Sir David was employed at Rolls-Royce, for 17 years, becoming Deputy Chief Designer and Assistant Chief of Engine Design at its Bristol plant.

In 1972, he invented the touch-trigger probe for co-ordinate measuring machines and then co-founded Renishaw, which today employs over 4,000 people in 35 countries, with 2,800 in the UK.

Distinctions include Fellowships of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society.  His 1989 knighthood was awarded for services to design and innovation.

Whilst at Rolls-Royce, Sir David was named as inventor or co-inventor on 47 patents or patent applications, and there have been more than 150 at Renishaw.

Professor Lesley Yellowlees CBE

Also to be honoured by the University in November is Professor Lesley Yellowlees CBE, a scientist who became the first woman President of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

After degrees at the University of Edinburgh and research posts in Australia and in Glasgow, she was appointed a professor of inorganic electrochemistry in Edinburgh in 2005.  She served as Head of the School of Chemistry and was Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh from 2011-17. 

Her academic interests include inorganic electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, solar energy, the public engagement of science and the promotion of women in science.

She was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to science and a CBE in 2014 for services to chemistry.  She was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2012 and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2016.