Honorands 1989-1999

Dr Franklyn Perring

A Northamptonshire resident, was the General Secretary of the Royal Society for Nature Conservation and was formerly Head of the Biological Records Centre at Monks Wood in Cambridgeshire. He has edited a number of floras (manuals for the identification of plant species) and contributed to the Journal of Ecology.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Honorary Doctorate of Science, July 1989.

Mr Ward J Timken

Former director of the Timken Company, which has it British headquarter in Northampton and is President of the Timken Company Charitable Trust and of other private foundations which support civic, educational and charitable causes.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Honorary Doctorate of Laws, July 1989.

Lord St John of Fawsley 1929-2012

Norman St-John Stevas was educated at Ratcliffe and at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge graduating in Law. He was elected MP for Chelmsford in 1963, became a member of the government in 1979 and was appointed to the Privy Council and held the post of Chancellor the Duchy of Lancaster, Lead of the House of Commons and Minister for the Arts. In 1987 he was created Baron St John of Fawsley, taking as his territorial adscription Preston Capes in the Country of Northampton, where he now lives.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July 1991.

Professor Gerald Teasdale Fowler

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1991.

Professor Dr Hans-Joachim Troeber

Retired head of the Fachhochschule, Rheinlandflatz and Member of University College Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1991.

The Rt Revd William Westwood

Bishop of Peterborough. After ordination in 1952, he was appointed Curate of Holy Trinity, Hull. Since then he has been Rector of Lowestoft, Vicar of St Peter Mancroft, Norwich and Area Bishop of Edmonton, London, Chair of the Church of England Committee for Communications, President of the Church Housing Association. He has also been a member of the Board of Governors of Nene College.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July, 1991.

Lady Mary Elizabeth Baker

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, 1992.

Robert Ian Campbell

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1992.

Roderick Picks

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1992.

John Ernest Sellars

Director and Chief Executive of Business and Technology Education Council 1983-1994.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1992

Sir David O’Dowd

Appointed Assistant Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police and then Chief Constable in 1986. Following this period he also served as Deputy Assistant Commissioner with the Metropolitan Police and in 1993, appointed one of HM Inspectors of Constabulary from which he has now retired.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1993.

Anne Fine OBE​

A successful author who was educated at Northampton High School for Girls and a former Children’s Laureate. Ms Fine has published over 21 books for children and adults, including one which was adapted for Hollywood; Mrs Doubtfire.

• Honorary Award Recipient, Fellowship, November 1993.

Malcolm Frazer

Pursued a distinguished academic career, including his appointment in 1972 as Professor of Chemical Education at University of East Anglia, where for the last five years of his tenure he concurrently held the position of Pro-Vice Chancellor. In 1986 he became Director and Chief Executive of the Council for National Academic Awards and then the Chief Executive of the Higher Education Quality Council. He was honoured with a CBE in 1992.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Science), July 1993.

Derek Redmond

International athlete, he was born in Bletchley, Northamptonshire and is a former student of Roade School and Nene College. Derek now works with UK Athletics as Director of Development for Sprints and Hurdles.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, 1993.

Professor Gerald Rousseau

A retired Director of the Ecole Superieure de Commerce in Poitiers, France. He is a keen supporter of the partnership arrangements between the former University College of Northampton and the Ecole, founded on a common interest in the teaching of business studies and commerce during the 1980s.

• Honorary Award Recipient, Fellowship, November 1993.

Mr David Wright

A poet and literary editor. He was educated in South Africa, before moving onto Northampton School for the Deaf and then Oriel College, Oxford. He has published numerous collections of poetry and has edited collections of works for other poets, including Thomas Hardy and Edward Thomas.  His prose writing includes ‘Deafness: a personal account’.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Letters), July 1993.

Lady Braye

A Peeress in her own right.  The family estate Stanford Hall, is near Lutterworth, Leicestershire.  Active in the public life of both Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, she was Chair of the Committee of St Andrew’s School of Occupational Therapy, Northampton, a Governor of St Andrew’s Hospital and a former High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.  She is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Doctorate (of Laws), July, 1994.

Peter Ellwood

Chair of ICI and former Chief Executive of LloydsTSB, and Barclaycard. He was a Foundation Governor of Nene College and a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Doctorate (of Laws), July 1994.

Nigel Hawthorne CBE (1929-2001)

The actor and writer, was born in Coventry and educated in South Africa.  He became a professional actor in 1950 and his stages performances include ‘Shadowlands’ and ‘The Madness of King George III’. He is well know for his television performances that include ‘the Barchester Chronicles’ and Sir Humphrey in ‘Yes, Minister’ and ‘Yes, Prime Minister’. He was awarded a CBE in 1987.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Master of Arts, July 1994.

David Walmsley

Born and educated in Northampton, was awarded an a law degree from London University and admitted a solicitor in 1950. He has served on the Northampton town and county councils for many years, specialising in education. He contributed to the founding and progressing of Northampton’s college of Further Education (now Northampton College) and Higher Education (now The University of Northampton). He was the 567th Mayor of Northampton and in 1988 became the 14th Freeman of the Bough.  In 1989 he compiled ‘An Ever Rolling Stream’ the story of the growth of higher education in Northamptonshire. He has made significant contributions to the development of the University through his work on Council, Court and as a Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chair of the University’s Council.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Doctorate (of Laws), July 199​4.

Mr R Barden

Retired from Northampton College where he was Principal for 19 years. He made a significant contribution to the development of education management training in the East Midlands and in the County.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1995.

John Bonner

A retired senior academic from the University of Leicester.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

Ms V Hollingbery

A notable producer, director and actress.  For many years involved with Northampton’s Royal Theatre. Married to Michael Napier Brown. pHonorary

• Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

Sir Neil Cossons OBE

Has been Director of the Science Museum since 1986. Prior to this his various posts included President of the Association for Industrial Archaeology and President of the Association of Independent Museums since 1983.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Doctorate (of Laws), July 1995.

Professor Albert Harry Halsey

Professor of Social and Administrative Studies at the University of Oxford (1978-90) and an Emeritus Professors.  He was born and educated in Kettering before going to the London School of Economics.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester), Doctorate (of Letters), July 1995.

Sir Roy (Pollard) Harding CBE

Devoted his life to educational administration in various posts in Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Leicester. He has been on the Board of the National Advisory Body for Higher Education, Association of Education Committees Trust and the CBI Education Foundation. He was Secretary and then Chair to the County Education Officers’ Society and President of the Society of Education Officers, the British Educational Equipment Association and the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July 1995.

Dr Colm O’Heocha

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

The Right Revd Leo McCartie

Bishop of Northampton (Roman Catholic). He became a priest in 1949. His previous posts include Director of Religious Education (Diocese of Birmingham 1963-8), Administrator of St Chad’s Cathedral (1968-77) and Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham and Titular Bishop of Elmham (1968-77). He served as Chair of the Committee for Racial Justice (1973-83) and the Committee for Community Relations of the Bishops’ Conference for England and Wales (1983-90).

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July 1995.

Baroness Perry of Southwark

Principal of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge and devoted to the education of mature women students. ​

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

Professor J Spence

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1995.

Russell Taylor

A retired Operations and Development Director from the then Oxford Regional Services Consortium.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

Mrs Charlotte May Stott OBE

A retired journalist whose first appointment was with the Leicester Mail where she became women’s editor at the age of nineteen. Her career continued by way of the Bolton Evening News, the Co-operative Press, Manchester and women’s editor of the Manchester Guardian.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester) Master of Arts, July 1995.

Mr Russell Taylor

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995.

Mr David Triesman

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1995

Professor Will Alsop

Architect and Honorary Professor of Architecture at the Bremen Academy, he was educated at Northampton School for Boys and took a foundation course at the College of Art (which became part of Nene College, later UCN). Celebrated buildings include the Cardiff Bay Visitor Centre, Hamburg Ferry Terminal, North Greenwich underground stand the regional government headquarters in Marseilles and the aclaimed Peckham Library and Media Centre.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Law), July 1996.

Mr James Anscomb

A local historian and politician, he was first elected to Northampton County Council in 1946 and was appointed County Alderman in 1958. He has published extensively on the history of Northamptonshire, including four volumes of Northamptonshire Past and Present.  He also established the JW Anscomb Collection at the Northamptonshire Record Office.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Master of Arts, July 1996.

Professor Sir Michael Bond

Vice Principal Psychological Medicine at University of Glasgow since 1986 and Administrative Dean in the Faculty of Medicine since 1991. He has served as Chair of the Joint Medical Advisory Committee and Chair of the Head Injuries Trust for Scotland. He has also been a member of the Universities Funding Council between 1991-1993 and of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council in 1992. He was awarded a Knighthood in the 1995 New Years Honors List.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Science), July 1996.

Mr Christopher Hibbert

Born in Leicestershire, a full-time writer and historian, he received the Heinemann Award for Literature in 1961 for his book ‘The Destruction of Lord Raglan’ and the McColvin Medal in 1989. He is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Literature and of the Royal Geographical Society.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Letters), July 1996.

Dr Christopher Hill FBA

The historian who was Master of Balliol college, Oxford between 1965 and 1978. He won the Heinemann Award and the Milton Society of America Award for his book Milton and the English Revolution (1978) and the WH Smith Literary Award for A Turbulent, Seditious and Fractious People: John Bunyan and his Church (1988).

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Letters), July 1996.

Mr Derek Nimmo (1930-1999)

A famous actor, comedian, author and producer.  He starred in many West End productions, television, radio and films. He was awarded the RTS Silver Medal in 1970 and was the Variety Club Show Business Personality of the Year in 1971. He was also a Freeman of the City of London.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester) Master of Arts, July 1996.

Professor M Bromley OBE

Emeritus Professor of The University of Northumbria, he is a key figure in fashion education. He was dvisor to the Secretary of State, Trade and Industry on the role of the Design Council. His career includes Managing Director of the Newcastle Fashion Centre, Member of the Design Council, Committee member of the RSA, member of the CNAA and honoured for his support given to the former Nene College in developing its own range of courses in the area of Fashion and Textile Design.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November, 1997.

The Right Honourable Sir Stephen Brown

President of the Family Division of the High Court of Justice. He has had a long distinguished career since he was called to the Bar in 1949. Appointed a High Court judge in 1975 he served in the Family Division and Queen’s Bench Division, then presiding judge on the Midland and Oxford Circuit (1977-1981). In 1983 he was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal and in 1988 became President of the Family Division.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July 1997.

Mr Patrick Coldstream CBE

Former Director of the Council for Industry and Higher Education (1986-1996). He was educated at Oxford and has been an officer in the Royal Marines, a columnist on the Financial Times and occasional broadcaster.  He has lectured on the relation of higher education to industry in Britain, continental Europe, the USA and Australia.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July, 1997.

Dr Kenneth John Richard Edwards

In 1988 became Vice Chancellor of University of Leicester (now retired) and between 1993 and 1995 was Chair of the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, January 1997.

Mr A C Gallagher

Chair of JJ Gallagher Ltd and its subsidiary companies. Responsible for implementing of major change in direction of the Gallagher company from purely civil engineering to significant activity in property development.  A member of the Midlands Industrial Council which is responsible for liaising with the Government on the interests of the business community and a major supporter and sponsor of sporting activities in the Midlands Region.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, November 1997.

Sir Richard George

Chair and Managing Director of Weetabix Ltd based in Kettering and chair of Whitworth Holdings Ltd.  He has been a member of the Board of the Environment Agency; the Executive Committee of the Association of Cereal Food Manufacturers (Chair, 1983-1985); Chair of the Advisory Board of the Institute of Food Research,; member of the Management Board of the Princes’ Trust and Vice-chair of the Northamptonshire Prince’s Youth Business Trust.

• Honorary Award Recipient (from Leicester): Doctorate (of Laws), July 1997.

Sir Dai Rees

Director of National Institute for Medical Research 1982-1987, Chief Executive MRC 1987-1996.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, 1997.

Dr Janet Ritterman

Director of Royal College of Music. Distinguished career both as a concert pianist and lecturer/researcher in music and performance.  She has made a particular contribution nationally in helping create opportunities for young people to develop in all forms of performance arts. She is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1997.

Dr Norbert Singer CBE

Former Vice Chancellor of The University of Greenwich and a member of the former Nene College’s Governing Body from 1993-1997.  He has been a source of advice and support in the former College’s and now the University’s development of research activity.  He is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, November 1997.

Mrs Anita Tasker OBE

Appointed as a Magistrate in 1963, is one of the longest serving Magistrates in Northamptonshire. Chair of the Northamptonshire Police Consultative Committee and appointed Deputy Lieutenant in 1989. For five years she held the office of Chair of the Central Council of Magistrates’ County Committees and is a former member of the Magisterial Committee of the Judicial Studies board. She was awarded the OBE in 1991.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Master of Laws, 1997.

Mr John R Tusting

A prominent member of the Leather Industry in Britain, recipient of the ‘Queen’s Award for Industry’ and former Master of the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers. He is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1997.

Sir Hereward Wake Bt

Holds one of England’s oldest baronetcies and his family have lived in Northamptonshire for over 800 years. Sir Hereward has been been active in the public life of the County for over fifty years.  Amoungst many offices in local government and voluntary organisations he has been High Sherriff and Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and Deputy Chair of Nene College Governors. He was a Co-founder of Northamptonshire Association of Youth Clubs and has been active in the County Landowners Association and County Records Society. He is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, February 1997.

Commander LLM Saunders Watson CBE

Whose family seat is Rockingham Castle, on the border of Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, was Chair of the British Library Board (1990-1993), Northampton Board of the Country Landowners’ Association (1981-4); Vice-chair of Northamptonshire Small Industries Committee (1981-4) and Chair of Kettering Hospital NHS Trust.  Educated at Eton and Britannia Royal Naval College, he joined the Royal Navy and was promoted to Commander in 1969, retiring in 1971 on succession to Rockingham Castle Estate.

• Honorary Award Recipient (Leicester): Doctorate (of letters), July 1997.​

Jim Burrell

Studied history and law at the University of Durham and Cambridge respectively. In his twenties he joined ICI and stayed with them for twenty years and managing projects worldwide. 1982, he joined McKinsey Consultants where his biggest client was Volvo, where he was offered and accepted a post in the UK managing Volvo’s marketing and customer services division for both cars and trucks.  He accepted an invitation to be a Foundation Governor of Nene College in 1988 and was Chair of Governors between 1990-1995.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, July 1998

William Maximillian (Max) Griggs

Chair of Dr Marten footwear and the ex-owner of Rushden and Diamonds Football Club. Born and educated in Northamptonshire, a member of the Pattern Makers’ Livery Company, Freeman of the City of London and awarded a CBE for services to the footwear industry in 1996.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, November 1998.

Mr T Hawkes

Artistic Director of the Central Festival Opera based in Northampton and previously Artistic Director of Phoenix Opera, Director of Productions for Handel Opera and Lyric Theatre, Singapore.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, July 1998.

Roger McGough

Noted poet, educator and entertainer, he was born in Liverpool and studied at the University of Hull. During the 1960s he was a member of the musical and poetry group ‘Scaffold’ and ‘Grimm’. His diverse contribution to the arts have included over thirteen volumes of poetry, more than a dozen plays for  theatre, television and radio. He was awarded a BAFTA in 1984 and a Royal Television Society Award in 1993.

• Honorary Award recipient: MA, July 1998.

Peter Newcombe

Born in Blisworth, Northamptonshire and studied at The Northampton School of Art.  He has made an outstanding contribution to art and has exhibited widely, his paintings mainly depict landscapes and flora.  Commissions include stamps for the Royal Mail, Guernsey Post Office and by Shell Oil Company for their calendars.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, July 1998.

Michele Roberts (Mrs L J Latter)

Has published nine novels which are renowned for the richness of their descriptive prose and themes exploring complex feminist issues, she has also published poetry collections.  A notable broadcaster, reviewer and commentator she has appeared on both radio and television. Honorary Award

• Recipient: MA, November 1998.

John Thorpe

Retired as Senior Partner of Shoosmiths and Harrison Solicitors after a career of 34 years with the Partnership.  He has been closely connected to the University. Notably, he was Chair of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce Training and Enterprise and he was a member of the Nene Foundation which provided funds and support for the Nene Innovation Centre.  For many years he has been a trustee of the TD Lewis Bursary Award and is currently a member of The University of Northampton Court.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, July 1998.

Mr R Shepherd

Studied art and design at Northampton College of Art. He has an enviable record of work published in leading international design publications. He continues to work as a graphic designer and fine artist and is the President of a major design, marketing and public relations company in Florida, where he now lives.

• Honorary recipient MA, July 1999.

Lesley Joseph

Originates form Northampton. She has had a successful and wide ranging career in both the theatre and television. She is most popularly known for her role as Dorien in the BBC series ‘Birds of a Feather’. She is a regular contributor to BBC radio.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, November 1999.

Professor Steve Nagle

Director of the Palmetto Partnership for International Exchange, South Carolina. During 1989-1990 he was Senior Fulbright​ Lecturer at Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan, Poland and visiting professor at University of Vienna.  He was the driving force behind the establishment of American Studies exchange programmes at the University College of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, July 1999.

Michael Napier-Brown

Was artistic Director of the Royal Theatre, Northampton in the 1980s and 90s. A successful actor and director who has performed in a number of long running plays in London theatres.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, July 1999.

Mr G Newman

Was Principal of Brooke-Weston CTC in Corby during the 1990s, a school that consistently improved upon excellent student performances in external examinations.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, November 1999.

Marion Perry OBE

Retired in 1998 having served for ten years as head teacher of Prendergast School for Girls in Lewisham, London, which the HM Inspectorate of Schools described as ‘exceptional, exceeding all academic targets’. She received the OBE for services to education in February 1999.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, November 1999.

Mr J Stoddart

A retired Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University in 1998. Played a major role in HE achievements across the UK over the past 20 years. In 1995 he received a CBE for his contribution to Education.

• Honorary Award Recipient: MA, July 1999.

Peter White

Secretary to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales.  A distinguished figure in the field of Archaeology and a past Vice President of the Royal Archaeological Institute. Mr White has been supportive in the development of industrial archaeology at UCN.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, July 1999.

Professor Robert White

​A previous Director of the University of Southampton Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and the Head of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, he retired in 1998 and is a member of The Court of The University of Northampton.

• Honorary Award Recipient: Fellowship, July 1999.