Ryan Giggs to get honorary doctorates from the University of Bolton

STARS of sport and film will be honoured by the University of Bolton at its graduation celebrations next week.

Manchester United player Ryan Giggs and Love Actually actress Martine McCutcheon will receive Honorary Doctorates recognising the outstanding contribution they have made in their fields.

A record number — including the chief executive of Bolton Council Sean Harriss, former Bolton Wanderers player, Chris Eagles, and artistic director of the Octagon Theatre, David Thacker — are receiving honorary doctorates.

It is to mark the start of a special celebratory year in which the university commemorates 190 years since its origins as Bolton Mechanics’ Institute, and installs a new Chancellor.

The celebrations will start with a ceremony at the Town Hall on Tuesday (July 1) when the Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder becomes the second Chancellor of the University.

As Chancellor, he will be the principal figurehead of, and ambassador for, the University of Bolton for three years.

And to commemorate the occasion and the start of the celebratory year, the university is awarding 19 honorary doctorates at the Chancellor’s Installation Ceremony — each one acknowledging a decade in the history of the university.

Martine McCutcheon will be made a Doctor of Arts for her services to entertainment during the ceremony, while Ryan Giggs will join students at their graduation ceremony.

Other high profile figures being made a “doctor” on the day of the installation ceremony include Cllr Colin Shaw and Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton, Professor George Holmes said: “We will be delighted to welcome our honorary graduands to the university, to join us in the celebration of our students’ success at the degree congregation ceremonies.

“Our honorary award recipients have excelled in their professional lives and made an extraordinary contribution to civic life in Britain. Many of them share a particular link with our region, and to Bolton itself and the life of our university.”

The congregation ceremonies will take place on July 2, 3 and 4 when those graduating will celebrate academic success with their friends and family.

Those receiving Honorary Doctorates during the ceremonies are Imran Akram, CEO of Asons Solicitors; Adrian Brooks, entertainment industry entrepreneur and founder of the Backstage Academy; Dr John S. Bailey, Former President of The American College of Greece; Margaret Blenkinsop, educationist; Adrian Brooks, entertainment industry entrepreneur and founder of the Backstage Academy; Professor John Brooks, Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University; Roy Brooks, Rolls-Royce expert; His Honour Judge Tim Clayson, Honorary Recorder of Bolton and Resident Judge of Bolton Combined Court; Ryan Giggs OBE, Assistant Manager of Manchester United; Sean Harriss, Chief Executive, Bolton Council; Sylvia Kay, former senior lawyer and current trustee of the University’s Students’ Union; Dan Keating, Managing Director of FibrLec; Simon P Kelly, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, the Royal Bolton Hospital; Gill Richards, former Head of Bolton School Girls’ Division and former Governor of the University; John Roberts, CEO of AO.com; Nicola Shindler, Head of Red Production Company; Antonia Sotgiu, mezzo-soprano and Leigh Vallance, Chief Executive, Bolton Hospice.

The 19 high-profile figures to be awarded Honorary Doctorates at the Chancellor’s Installation Ceremony are:

• Mark Brocklehurst, Doctor of Humanities, Services to Charity
• Atul Chauhan, Doctor of Education, Services to Education
• Fred Done, Doctor of Business Administration, Services to Charity and Sport
• Chris Eagles, Doctor of Science, Services to Sport
• Iain Goldrein Esq QC, Doctor of Laws, Services to the Legal Profession
• John Grant, Doctor of Engineering, Services to Motorsport
• Paul Griffiths DL, Doctor of Arts, Services to the Community
• HH Judge Margaret de Haas QC, Doctor of Laws, Services to the Legal Profession
• Sue Hodgkiss, Doctor of Arts, Services to Arts and the Community
• Professor Anthony Howell, Doctor of Science, Services to Cancer Research
• Margot Leicester, Doctor of Arts, Services to Theatre and Television
• Martine McCutcheon, Doctor of Arts, Services to Entertainment
• Rt Hon Sir James Munby, Doctor of Laws, Services to the Legal Profession
• Councillor Colin Shaw, Doctor of Humanities, Services to the Community
• Professor Ian Stewart, Doctor of Philosophy, Services to Politics and the Community
• The Rt Hon Baroness Taylor of Bolton, Doctor of Social Science, Services to the Community
• Professor David Thacker, Doctor of Arts, Services to the Theatre
• Maureen Warburton, Doctor of Education, Services to Education
• Dave Whelan, Doctor of Business Administration, Services to Charity and Sport