Membership of University Court

Chris is a Derby-born geologist, Director of Sustainable Geoscience at Jacobs Engineering Group, and Visiting Professor of Basin Analysis at Imperial College London. His research focuses on understanding the development and structure of some of the Earth’s most economically important geological environments. He is a keen science communicator, regularly lecturing to the general public and in schools, and he has appeared on several television shows. Chris is active in improving equality, diversity, and inclusivity in science and society. In November 2023, Chris received the degree of Honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to geoscience research.

Dianne was Pro-Chancellor & Chair of Governing Council of the University of Derby from 2002 to 2011. Dianne is Chair of Age UK, the foremost age charity in the UK providing support and information to people in later life, and of Age International which supports older people in developing countries. She served on the board of the University and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA) and chaired the National Health and Safety Forum in higher education. Dianne served as an NHS Trust chair for 13 years, chair of the NHS Confederation from 2000-2003 and served as chair of Anchor Trust for five years.

In 2008 Dianne became Chair of Digital Outreach Ltd, a community messaging start-up company. She has served on the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands regional committee, and as Vice-Chair of the historic Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site in Derbyshire. She is a Trustee of the Devonshire Educational Trust, Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and chairs the Peak District National Park Advisory Group.

Dianne served as High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 2002/3 and is now an appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Derbyshire. Dianne's appointment as Honorary Colonel, Derbyshire Army Cadet Force, (Mercian Regiment) was approved by HM The Queen in 2003.

Dianne was appointed CBE in the Birthday Honours in 2011. She was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the University of Derby in 2012 and from Sheffield Hallam University in 2014. Dianne was appointed Dame Commander of the British Empire, DBE in the King's New Years Honours List 2024. She was educated at Badminton School, Bristol, and Sheffield University. 

Sue is a diagnostic radiographer with over 30 years’ experience. She currently works as a Professional Officer in Clinical Imaging at the Society of Radiographers. She spent all her clinical career in Derby Hospitals working in various roles. Sue is an enthusiastic supporter of radiographers’ professional development and was President of the Society of Radiographers from 2011-2012. Her work via the Society has been integral to the widening participation agenda in the NHS. She is well known in the radiography and wider allied health professions community for her advocacy and innovation.

In November 2022, Sue received the degree of Honorary Master of the University in recognition of her contribution to radiography and her achievements in widening participation in the profession.

Brian has been Chief Executive Officer for the SENAD Group since 2006. Using his experience in special education with local authorities, the voluntary sector and independent sector, he has successfully led the group in designing and operating high-quality education, therapy and care services for young people and adults with a variety of needs. In July 2019 Brian received the Degree of Honorary Master of the University in recognition of his work to promote and ensure equality of education provision for young people and adults. [Updated 2019]

Craig, who hails from Derby and began his career as a trainee accountant with the city council, joined the University in June 2020 after 18 years in the corporate finance sector, working for some of the industry’s best-known firms, including KPMG, PwC and Deloitte.

While with Deloitte, he led major projects across a range of government departments including health, housing, local government, and further education. He has also overseen public sector mergers and service reconfigurations and led large-scale public procurement projects.

Prior to joining the University of Derby as Director of Finance, Craig worked as Finance Director in the social housing and care sector in the Midlands, helping to develop new companies and attracting substantial investment from within the UK and overseas. [Updated 2020]

Ashok was a Derby City Councillor for 16 years. He served as Cabinet member for the Environment and Direct Services between 1994-2000 and again in 2001-2002. He became Mayor of Derby 2000-2001. [Updated 2017]

Ferid is the Project and Centre Manager of the Derby Bosnia and Herzegovina Centre. He came to the UK from Bosnia as a refugee at the outbreak of the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. Working with the City Council, Ferid established a haven for fellow Bosnian refugees to find social support and legal advice. The centre has since opened its doors to all, regardless of race, colour or creed, and the building now hosts the Derby Refugee Advice Centre.

In November 2022, Ferid received the Degree of Honorary Master from the University in recognition of his achievements in supporting refugees and asylum seekers in the City.

David was employed at Derby as Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology and later as Dean of the School of Mathematics and Computing for 11 years. On leaving Derby he worked for Westminster University on a project in Nigeria for 18 months. He is a firm friend of Derby and Africa.

Richard is a senior Royal Air Force officer and engineer serving as Deputy Commander for Capability and People. Previously he served as Deputy Chief of Defence staff (Military Capability) at the Ministry of Defence. Educated in Derby, he served as an officer engineer in his early career working on Nimrod and Tornado F3 aircraft and Harrier jets. Richard was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. In November 2022, Richard received the degree of Honorary Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding career as an aerospace engineer and his achievement in public life.

Scott is Chief Executive of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). He has worked within the Chamber network since 1999 when he first joined what was then North Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, initially providing advice and support to businesses about ICT and e-commerce solutions.

Subsequent mergers with South Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chambers of Commerce have led to the formation of East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire). Prior to 1999 Scott worked in the Information Communications Technology sector.

Scott’s key area of expertise is business development, creating sustainable revenue streams from a variety of sources including securing public and private sector business support contracts and revenue-generating property solutions. [Updated 2016]

Bishop Libby was the first woman to be appointed a bishop in the Church of England when she became Bishop of Stockport within the Diocese of Chester in 2015, where she was Chair of the Board of Education. In 2019 she became Bishop of Derby and also entered the House of Lords. She is a Chair of General Synod, Chair of Cranmer Committee for the Council of St John’s College Durham, Vice-Chair of Trustees on the Church of England’s Children’s Society and Chair of the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby. [Updated 2019]

Robert was elected the MP for High Peak on 12 December 2019.

Growing up in Manchester, Robert went to the local comprehensive school. He worked as a fishmonger to help pay for his tuition at Manchester University. He is a chartered accountant and a former Equity Capital Markets Manager at Deloitte. He also previously worked as a Government Policy Adviser.

As a member of the Transport Select Committee, Robert’s key focus has been on fighting for more transport infrastructure investment in the North.

Ruth was appointed to Governing Council as teaching staff governor in April 2021. Since joining the University of Derby in 2005, she has held a series of roles within the department of Humanities. She is currently a senior lecturer in History and the programme leader for the undergraduate History programmes.

Ruth teaches several modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level, covering a wide range of topics, including the history of the body, material culture studies and research methodologies. Her research expertise is in eighteenth and nineteenth-century British history and she has published widely on gender history, the history of the aristocracy and the country house.

Ruth is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Royal Historical Society and is part of the editorial board for the journal Midland History. She is committed to excellence in learning and teaching and was named the University Lecturer of the Year in 2010; she is especially dedicated in supporting undergraduate students to develop their distinct academic voice, in pedagogies of engagement, and championing students as co-creators.

She has experience of being a governor at both primary and secondary schools and is currently an active member of East Midlands Centre for History Learning and Teaching.

Derek is an architect, town planner and landscape architect, with specialist qualifications in conservation and urbanism. He has led his practice, Lathams in Derby for 34 years. His book Creative Reuse of Buildings is used by conservation courses throughout the country. He founded the East Midlands Architecture Centre, ‘Opun’, advises the English Heritage Urban Panel, is Technical Adviser to the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and is Chair of the Derwent Valley Trust responsible for the DV Heritage Trail and promoting a new off-road cycleway from Derby to Matlock. He is an Honorary Graduate and visiting professor to the University and is collaborating with the University on the development of a new eco-friendly house. [Updated 2017]

Pauline has been the Member of Parliament for Mid-Derbyshire since 2010 and has been involved in local politics in the area since 1987. For many years, Pauline was a local Councillor, representing Oakwood on Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council and later became the Mayor of the City of Derby.

Pauline has a keen interest in education and was a school governor for 12 years. She has also championed several health causes including a Meningitis vaccination programme and life-improving drugs for melanoma patients.

Pauline sits on the International Development Select Committee and has a particular interest in women’s issues.

She was appointed as PPS to a Minister in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 2014. [Updated 2015]

Bob is a lifelong resident of Derby and is passionate about the city. He was educated and then worked throughout his career in Derby.

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, Bob was an active member of the Labour Party and was elected to Derby City Council to represent Normanton Ward, was elected Secretary and Leader of the party then subsequently elected as Leader of the Council.

Bob’s career highlights include:

• Being elected as the Member of Parliament for Derby North during which he served as a member of the Trade and Industry Select Committee and the Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Departments of Trade & Industry, Department of Education & Skills and Department of Work & Pensions
• Overseeing the development of Pride Park in Derby and the relocation of Derby County Football Club to this site
• Establishing the East Midlands Local Government Association and creation of the East Midlands Regional Assembly helping Derby City Council become an all-purpose Unitary Authority
• Spent time abroad as a UK parliamentary representative on the Council of Europe, based in Strasbourg and on the Defence & Security parliamentary Assembly based in Paris

2010 saw Bob retire as an MP and was awarded an honorary degree from the University the following year. His interests include walking, cycling, canals, narrow boats, international relations and politics. 

Judy operates Airways Airsports, a flying school in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. She has broken multiple world records for both hang gliding and paragliding and was awarded an MBE in 1989 for her services to hang gliding. With three World Championship titles to her name, Judy has built a worldwide reputation for her skill, fearless determination, and passion for free flight.

In July 2019, Judy received the degree of Honorary Master of the University in recognition of her achievements in the field of hang gliding and paragliding and her impact on the local flying community.

Tom represented High Peak as a Labour MP from 1997–2010. In that capacity, he was influential in securing the Buxton Campus for the University of Derby. Tom was an authority in Parliament on charities and volunteering. Since 2010 he has established himself as a consultant and writer on ‘using the tools of business to create public good'.

He is the author of 'Welcome to GoodCo' (2014), 'Partners for Good' (2012) and ‘The Company Citizen’ (2017). His positions held include being a member of the sustainable advisory panel for Walgreen Boots Alliance; a trustee of the Work Foundation; a non‐executive director of Outreach Solutions and Chair of the trustee board of Fair For You, a charity which he helped found, that operates a social enterprise of the same name to provide ethical, responsible loans for household goods for people who cannot access mainstream financial services.

In November 2011 Tom received the Degree of Honorary Doctor of the University of Derby in recognition of his remarkable dedication and achievement in his service for communities in Derbyshire. [Updated 2018]

Andrew was a Member of the University’s Governing Council between 2009 and 2018. He was elected the Member of Parliament for Northampton South in June 2017. Prior to that he served as a Member of the European Parliament for the East Midlands and was the lead in Brussels for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group on the Culture and Education Committee and the Regional Development Committee.

He grew up in and around Ashbourne, Derbyshire, and studied History at the University of Newcastle and then at Downing College, Cambridge. Upon returning to Derbyshire, he worked in publishing. He was the youngest County Council Leader in the country as Leader of Derbyshire County Council from 2009-13 and served as Deputy Chair of the Local Government Association from 2011-14. In his time in local government, Andrew was Chair of the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Derwent Valley Mills, founding Chair of the Derbyshire Health and Wellbeing Board and a founding Director of the Local Enterprise Partnership for Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, D2N2.

In addition to his duties as an MP, Andrew is a Vice-President of the Local Government Association. In the 2014 New Year Honours List, he was awarded an MBE for services to local government. [Updated 2018]

James studied a degree in fine art and auctioneering at Southampton before commencing his career briefly in London before joining leading provincial firm Neales of Nottingham in 1993. He is the founder of Bamfords Auctioneers and Valuers and senior director of Richardson and Linnell and Neales. As an auctioneer James has a reputation for amusing the crowds whilst achieving great results; in doing so won UK top auctioneer two years in a row, holds the world record for the longest ever solo auction (26 hours) and as such is in high demand and travels all over the world for auctions. [Updated 2016]

Holly is a Student Representative Governor. She was elected Vice President Education of the Union of Students for the academic year 2023/24. She completed her undergraduate degree in Creative Expressive Arts with Health and Wellbeing in 2023. Holly became involved with the Union of Students during her time as a student, first joining both Netball and Women’s Rugby sports clubs and then as social media marketing rep for Sports Council and Raise & Give.

Holly is passionate about committing to enhancing the student experience, with her key manifesto points aimed at fostering greater engagement within the Union and ensuring that every student feels truly represented and supported. Her vision is to create a more inclusive and vibrant campus environment by bolstering Union engagement. This includes expanding the Union's presence to other campuses to ensure that no student feels left behind or unheard. Holly aspires to strengthen the academic community, amplify student voices, and enrich educational opportunities.

Chair of the Institute of Couriers. Chairing Transport for London LoCity light vehicle group and Transport for Manchester Urban delivery group. LEP activities include former inaugural D2N2 LEP sector chair for transport and logistics and secretary to the LLEP Transport priority group. Carl is a Visiting Professional Fellow in Logistics at the University. Co-opted member of the Further Education Governance Committee of the University of Derby. Visiting professor of Logistics at London Metropolitan University.

Secretary to the BIS trailblazer apprenticeship courier qualification. Chairman GTA, Logistics Skills Alliance/West Thames College. Fellow RSA, long-time member of IOD. Former roles include: expert advisor to the Learning Skills Development agency, Chair of the National Motorcycle Council NTO board member, RHDTC. World sailing adventurer. Author, Certain Death in the Ice (London Press). [Updated 2017]

Paul is a Professor of Plant Biotechnology at the University of Derby. His main research interest is in plant conservation biotechnology, particularly the use of cryopreservation and is a member of the University’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre. He is Head of the Department of Natural Sciences within the College of Science and Engineering and chairs the University Professoriate. He is also a Trustee of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Treasurer of the Heads of Bioscience, a special interest group of the Royal Society of Biology. [Updated 2017]

Wayne is widely considered to be one of the greatest cricketers in Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s history. He is one of the most accomplished and respected players in the English game. Hailing from a strong cricketing family, he was born in South Africa where he made his cricketing debut in 2003. He is also an accomplished hockey player representing South Africa at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Wayne works tirelessly in Derbyshire to promote cricket and sport, demonstrating unwavering support for education and young people throughout the county. He has been proud to call Derbyshire his home since he joined the Club in 2009. He lives here with his wife Kyla and their two young daughters, Tanna and Zara. In April 2022, Wayne received the degree of Honorary Master of the University in recognition of his achievements in English cricket and his work to promote participation in sport in Derbyshire.

Following a sixteen-year career in Arts Administration culminating as Deputy Director of East Midlands Arts Council David established an arts consultancy, working for various national, regional, and independent agencies and was visiting lecturer at over thirty UK art schools. He joined the University as Deputy Dean of the School of Art & Design in 1994, became Dean of School in 1995 & Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Design & Technology in 2000.

He retired in 2008 and now devotes his time to his first love, painting, exhibiting regularly, and a spot of lecturing and exhibition curation. [Updated 2017]

Warren is Provost - Innovation & Research at the University of Derby. He took up the position in January 2020 having previously held the role of Pro Vice-Chancellor/Dean for the College of Engineering and Technology. He joined the University in September 2017 from De Montfort University where he was Pro Vice-Chancellor/Dean for the Faculty of Business and Law.

A graduate of Salford University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Leeds University, Warren recently led departments in Engineering and Sustainable Development before assuming his role at De Montfort University in 2016. [Updated 2020]

Anne was appointed as Headteacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School (QEGS), Ashbourne in September 2012 having been a Headteacher in Stoke-on-Trent. QEGS achieved Outstanding for Leadership & Management in an Ofsted inspection in November 2014 and Anne became a National Leader of Education (NLE) in 2015.  Anne works in partnership with several schools and academies, as well as being a member of the Derby Diocesan Academy Trust.

In early 2016 Anne became the CEO of QEGSMAT, school to school support focused on delivering school improvement, this is now a significant part of her role along with supporting other Headteachers and schools in the locality, including Derbyshire, Derby City and Staffordshire.

Anne was elected to serve on the East Midlands and Humber Headteacher Board from November 2017.  She is also a National Coach for Women into Leadership. In December 2019 Anne was awarded a Fellowship from the Chartered College of Teaching.

Anne is also a National Pupil Premium Reviewer and regularly carries out Pupil Premium reviews to ensure that children eligible for this type of funding leave education with the best possible outcomes.

From September 2020 Anne became part of the School Improvement Team at Derbyshire Local Authority and works with identified schools delivering work on school improvement as a Link Adviser.

Owen served as a Student Representative Governor in 2022/23, having been elected as President of the Union of Students following the completion of his degree in Forensic Science 2021. He was previously elected as the Vice President of Welfare for the academic year 2021/22. 

Michael is a retired businessman and former seafarer. He is the Business Development Trustee of the charity Friends of the Baby Unit (which has raised over £2 million for the neo-natal unit at the Royal Derby Hospital since 1976). Matthew is a governor at Becket Primary School in Derby, a volunteer at the Padley Hostel in Derby and he is involved in local and national politics. His interests include politics and current affairs, travel, gardening, football (he is a Derby County season ticket holder), and motor racing. He is also a chorister. [Updated 2017]

Chief Executive, South Derbyshire District Council.

David was formerly Chair of Pearson Education Ltd and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent. Previously he was Chief Executive of the Further Education Funding Council, and Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University. His early career was as a Professor of Physics.

He has been Vice-Chair of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals and chair or a member of a number of Research Council and HEFCE Committees as well as many other organisations in the field of Higher, Further and School education. He is patron of Comprehensive Future, the Disabled Sailors Association, and Faversham Creek Trust. He was educated at Sheffield and Columbia Universities.

David was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University in 2000. [Updated 2024]

Keith is the Interim Provost (Learning & Teaching) at the University of Derby. Keith joined the University in January 2018 from Canterbury Christ Church University where he was Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities while prior to that appointment he served successively as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Department of History & Archaeology at the University of Chester. An early modern military and naval historian of Britain and Europe who has published on war and warfare from the 17th to the 20th centuries, Keith holds an MA and PhD from the University of Glasgow, an MSc from the London School of Economics & Political Science and an Executive MBA from the University of Edinburgh. [Updated 2019]

Lord McLoughlin has had an extensive career in UK politics for more than 30 years, serving as the Member of Parliament for Derbyshire Dales between 1986 and 2019. His experience in Government included two years as Government Chief Whip from 2010 to 2012, two years as Chairman of the Conservative Party and Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster from 2016 to 2018 and four years as Secretary of State for Transport between 2012 and 2016. In January 2022, he was appointed as Chair of Transport for the North.

He was knighted in the Resignation Honours of David Cameron in 2016, became a Companion of Honour in Theresa May’s Resignation Honours in 2019, and was created Baron McLoughlin of Cannock Chase in the County of Staffordshire in 2020.

George is a retired advisory teacher and magistrate. He is Chair of Derby West India Community Association; one of the founder members and Chair of East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network (EMCCAN); and Vice-Chair of Derby Racial Equality Council. Former Chair of Derby Millennium Network and VCS representative on Derby City Partnership Board. He was awarded an MBE in 1990 for services to society and the University awarded him an Honorary Master's degree (HonMUniv) in 2012 for services to the local community. He was a member of the University Court Advisory Group until 2019.

George was awarded the Ordered of Distinction (OD) Officer Rank, by the Government of Jamaica on the 58th  anniversary of its independence on 6 August 2020 for services to the Jamaican Diaspora in England. [Updated 2021]

Nigel is the Conservative Member of Parliament for Amber Valley, Derbyshire. Mr Mills was elected Member of Parliament for Amber Valley in May 2010 after many years as both a town and borough Councillor. Before entering politics, he worked as a tax adviser to businesses and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1999. 

In Parliament, Mr Mills serves on the Work and Pensions Select Committee and the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee. Mr Mills actively represents his constituents’ concerns in Parliament about pensions, local transport services and immigration.

Mr Mills is also an active member of several All-Party Parliamentary Groups on a wide range of issues, he serves as the co-chair of the APPG on the East Midlands and the APPG on Anti-Corruption and as chair of the APPG on Pension and the APPG on Business, Finance and Accountancy.

His political interests include employment, education, pensions, and tax. [Updated 2018]

Kathryn is Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Derby.

Prior to joining the University in September 2015, Kathryn was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of West London with special responsibility for academic provision and quality across the university. She also held senior positions of Pro Vice-Chancellor Academic and Student Support Services and Dean of Students at West London.

Professor Mitchell was a Wellcome Fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, London and has studied at the Universities of York and London. She has worked at the University of Chicago, the Rockefeller Institute, New York and the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel.

Kathryn is a chartered Psychologist and played an active role within the Institute for Practice and Interdisciplinary Research (INSPIRE), supervising and directing a range of research programmes.

In April 2019, Kathryn was appointed one of five new Deputy Lieutenants of Derbyshire. She was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to education in the 2022 New Year's Honours List. She is Chair of the Derby Priority Education Investment Area.

She is married with two children. [Updated 2022]

Mel has 40 years of experience in the software industry and has played a leading role in six highly successful businesses collectively worth more than £4 billion.

Local successes include: Prevx, pioneers of cloud‐based internet security solutions; uDate, the world’s second largest matchmaking business; Minitech, pioneers of intelligent disk array technology and performance enhancement solutions; and the Mickleover Court Hotel. Mel also has investments in other local businesses, including BriefYourMarket and Serious Sports Technology Ltd. He is probably best known for his 12 years as non-executive Chair and financier of King Digital Entertainment Plc, the firm behind the global Candy Crush phenomenon.

Mel is a renowned philanthropist: he is the founder of MSTART Medical, Sports and Research Technology Trust and a Platinum Patron of the Prince’s Trust. Other philanthropic projects include the Royal Derby Hospital Robotic Surgeon initiative and dialysis research.

In June 2015 he became Chair of Derby County Football Club; later the same year, Derby-born Mel realised a life-long dream by becoming owner of The Rams.

The University awarded him an Honorary Doctorate in July 2016 in recognition of his significant contribution to business, sport, charities, and young entrepreneurship in Derby and beyond. Mel was awarded Lifetime Achievement in the Derby Telegraph Sports Awards 2019. [Updated 2019]

Stephen is a nurse who has devoted his career to healthcare. He held senior NHS positions in nursing and general management, including Director of Nursing at the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary. The Secretary of State appointed him a Commissioner on the original NHS quality regulator where he helped to develop the first reviews of clinical quality across England and Wales.

For five years he was Chair of the Nurse Directors Association and provided advice on nursing and health policy to the Secretary of State. Sir Stephen was asked to undertake the role of Chair at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust following the Healthcare Commission's highly critical report. Those events were a defining moment for health and social care in the United Kingdom and a most challenging time in NHS history.

He currently holds non-executive director posts at Derby Teaching Hospitals and Health Education England, where he chaired the Steering Group for a pre-degree work experience pilot. The scheme, recommended in the Francis Report, provides prospective nursing students with ‘a year to care’. The University awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate in 2016 in recognition of Sir Stephen's services to health and social care as an outstanding nurse leader and role model. [Updated 2017]

Lord Justice Mummery, DL enjoyed a distinguished judicial career of hearing cases in the High Court, Court of Appeal, Employment Appeal Tribunal and Court of Ecclesiastical Cases Reserved.

He was born into an East Kent sheep and dairy farming family near Dover and between 1949 and 1957 attended Dover County Grammar School for Boys, where he won an Exhibition in Modern History to Pembroke College Oxford. He read law there, graduating in 1963 with degrees of BA and Bachelor of Civil Law. Pembroke elected him an Honorary Fellow of the College in 1989.

He was called to the Bar in 1964 after joining the Honourable Society of Gray’s Inn. During his career Sir John rose to the upper echelons of the judiciary, ultimately being appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal in 1996 until his retirement from that full‐time position in September 2013.

Sir John has contributed his time and seniority of experience to the University of Derby including opening our new Law Court and delivering a fascinating talk entitled “Judicial All‐Sorts” which spanned his career at the Bench. He became an Honorary Doctor of the University at the Awards Ceremonies in January 2016. [Updated 2017]