HONORARY DOCTORATE

Yesterday I attended Staffordshire Universitys graduation ceremony to receive my honorary doctorate degree. As Lou Reed would say "just a perfect day". Sunshine, lots of smiling faces, and a very proud and humble CEO of The Hanley on stage to receive my awarded degree. It was a real privilege to be there and to be recognised in this way, a testimony to all my colleagues at The Hanley over the past 9 years who have worked tenaciously to do the very best for our customers and members. I was struck by the professionalism of everyone involved in the organisation of the event and by the delight amongst my contacts and colleagues in the University's Business School at the achievement of all their students. These are tough times for the higher education sector, on the cusp of a radical shift in funding. The need for a demonstrably excellent student experience and strong employability credentials will be distinguishing features in an increasingly competitive university sector. From my own exposure to Staffs Uni over several years ( and many more to come I hope) this particular organisation will "shine" and future students are in good hands.