Honorands - 2021

The honorands for our Derby November 2021 ceremonies were:

Ceremony 2

Professor Robert Pendlebury – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Robert Pendlebury, Honorand

Robert held senior engineering positions at both Ford Motor Company, where he headed development of the iconic Transit van, and J C Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB). Retiring from JCB in 2005, he remained a consultant to Lord Bamford, is an adviser to the Home Office and takes a great interest in both Hydrogen fuel technology and encouraging young people to study engineering. In 2010 he played a key role in the establishment of the JCB Academy, which specialises in business and engineering education.

The University wishes to recognise Robert’s achievements and exemplary career as an engineer and his impact on engineering education.

Ceremony 3

Gavin Boyle – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Gavin Boyle, honorand

Gavin is Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust. Before joining Derby Teaching Hospitals in March 2016, Gavin was Chief Executive at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Yeovil District NHS Foundation Trust. The merger in July 2018 of the Derby and Burton Hospitals Trusts created one of the largest university teaching hospitals in the country.

Throughout recent months Gavin and his team have faced the considerable challenges presented by Covid-19. The University wishes to recognise his achievements during the pandemic and his strong support for the University.

Ceremony 5

Ken Cooper – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Ken Cooper, honorand

Ken is Managing Director of Venture Capital Solutions at the British Business Bank. He is responsible for the design and delivery of a range of programmes that support the flow of venture investment into smaller UK businesses. Ken has led the Enterprise Capital Fund programme (around £1.5 billion of investment), developed the VC Catalyst Fund (now British Patient Capital) and led the creation of the Midlands Engine Investment Fund and Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund. He also led the delivery of the Future Fund, a Covid-19 response programme investing around £1.1 billion into 1,100 small businesses.

The University wishes to recognise Ken’s extensive work, regionally and nationally, to support the growth of small to medium-sized enterprises.

Ceremony 11

Jim Campbell OBE – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

James Campbell OBE, honorand

Jim is a Derby forensic scientist whose inventions have revolutionised medical diagnoses. He founded SureScreen which sells rapid tests to diagnose diseases, illnesses or drug abuse and supplied millions of rapid coronavirus tests during the pandemic. Jim has made a significant contribution to many areas of industry and is an expert in offender tagging and environmental DNA testing. Jim was awarded on OBE in 2019 for his services to healthcare and the community in Derbyshire.

The University wishes to recognise the breadth of Jim’s contributions to society through his many endeavours and achievements in the fields of industry, scientific innovation, healthcare and the environment.

Ceremony 14

Dr Robyn Dewis – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Dr Robyn Dewis, honorand

Robyn is the Director of Public Health for Derby City Council. She has worked as part of the Public Health team for the past 14 years. Before that she worked as a GP in North Yorkshire. Robyn is responsible for determining the overall visions and objectives for public health within Derby. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic Robyn’s support enabled the University to continue to deliver a positive student experience through blended delivery and to establish its own Asymptomatic Testing Centre. She also provided the University with the opportunity to support the region’s recovery.

The University wishes to recognise Robyn’s achievements and significant support during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ceremony 16

Chief Constable Craig Guildford – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Chief Constable Craig Guildford, honorand

Craig has been Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire since February 2017. His policing career began when he joined Cheshire Constabulary as a Police Constable in 1994 after completing a Geography degree at the University of Derby. Craig is passionate about the development of policing education and worked in partnership with the University to deliver the first policing apprenticeship in the UK. In June 2021 Craig was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The University wishes to recognise Craig’s exceptional policing career, and his commitment to education and the University of Derby.

Ceremony 17

Arlo White – Honorary Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)

Arlo White, honorand

Arlo is a sports broadcaster who was born and brought up in Leicester. He studied at the University and progressed his career from humble beginnings as a volunteer at BBC Radio Derby to establish himself as one of the foremost broadcasters in the industry. He joined NBC Sports in 2012 and has been the voice of the Premier League for the United States for almost a decade. Arlo started his career at BBC Radio 5 Live as a sports reporter. He progressed to presenting their flagship show Sports Report and enjoyed a stint as a commentator on Test Match Special.

The University wishes to recognise Arlo’s outstanding international career in sports journalism and his engagement with the students of the University.

View a full list of all the University's honorary graduates.