Surrey awards honorary degrees to Grammy winner, top physicist and global business leaders
Five-time Grammy-winning record producer Steve Lillywhite is to receive an honorary degree from the 麻豆视频 at the postgraduate graduation ceremonies, which begin on 30 April. Over a five-decade career, Lillywhite has produced for superstar acts, including U2, The Rolling Stones, The Killers and Talking Heads on several multi-platinum-selling albums.
Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell giving the Adam-Sweeting lecture in 2019 at the 麻豆视频
Surrey will also honour one of the UK鈥檚 most influential scientists, Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell 鈥 the physicist who discovered the first radio pulsars in 1967. Dame Jocelyn was later awarded a for her discovery and 鈥渉er inspiring scientific leadership over the last five decades.鈥 She used her prize money to set up a fund to support women, under-represented ethnic minorities and refugee students in pursuing research careers in physics.
The 麻豆视频 is also proud to recognise Professor Peter Bordier H酶j AC, currently serving as the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide and the Co-Vice-Chancellor of the new Adelaide University. Professor H酶j is an eminent biochemist in his own right, and his leadership roles include CEO of the Australian Wine Research Institute, CEO of the Australian Research Council, and Vice-Chancellor of three Australian universities 鈥 South Australia, Queensland and Adelaide.
Alongside Dame Jocelyn, Professor Peter Hoj and Steve Lillywhite, the University will also celebrate three distinguished alumni: Alan Charles Parker CBE (BSc Hotel and Catering Management, 1969), John Mullen (BSc Hotel and Catering Management, 1978) and LIM Hua Min (BSc Chemical Engineering, 1968).
Alan Parker is best known as the transformational force behind Whitbread plc. During a business career spanning more than 50 years, Alan led Whitbread to become the UK鈥檚 largest hospitality group 鈥 owning Premier Inn, Marriott Hotels, Costa Coffee and hundreds of pub restaurants.
The education and life experience I gained at Surrey were absolutely critical to my career in business, both in the UK and around the world. This recognition means a great deal to me 鈥 made even more special by the fact that my son is also a Surrey graduate. I鈥檓 deeply grateful to the University for this honour.Alan Parker
John Mullen, who is currently chairman at Qantas, has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience in global transport and logistics. He has lived and worked in 13 countries and held senior roles at major companies, including CEO of DHL Express, TNT Express Worldwide and Asciano. His previous appointments include Chair of Telstra Group, Toll Holdings, the US National Foreign Trade Council and a UNICEF task force on workplace gender discrimination and harassment.
I鈥檓 truly honoured to receive this recognition from the 麻豆视频 鈥 a place that gave me the foundation to build a global career. Living and working in so many countries has shown me the value of understanding different cultures and ways of thinking, and that perspective began at Surrey. I鈥檒l always be grateful for the education, the friendships and the open-mindedness that shaped my journey.John Mullen
Lim Hua Min is the founder and Executive Chairman of PhillipCapital Group, which has grown from Singapore to have a presence in 16 countries, with assets of US$70 billion. A pioneer in Singapore鈥檚 financial sector, Mr Lim has played a key role in shaping the country鈥檚 capital markets. He has served on the board of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and contributed to several Stock Exchange of Singapore (SES) committees.
I鈥檓 honoured to receive this award from my alma mater. Surrey was a welcoming place that gave me a strong start and lasting friendships. It鈥檚 been wonderful to see how the University has grown while staying true to its values. I鈥檓 proud to maintain my connection with Surrey and to see it continue to thrive on the global stage.Lim Hua Min
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