Prominent business figures awarded honorary doctorates by BCU
PROMINENT Birmingham business figures are to be recognised for their contribution to the sector with the award of honorary doctorates from Birmingham City University.
Well-known manufacturer and current chairman of Birmingham Airport, John Hudson OBE will receive his doctorate during a graduation ceremony at the Symphony Hall on Tuesday.
Hudson has substantial experience of the manufacturing sector having been both chairman and chief executive of a several well-known companies. In addition, he has been chairman of Birmingham Airport since 1997.
He said: “I feel extremely honoured to receive this award. Birmingham City University is a substantial institution offering highly relevant courses very much matched to the needs of industry and commerce. My own studies there provided an excellent basis for my career and I thank them for their consideration.”
Following spells at Delta Group and the Morphy Richards’ subsidiary of GEC Group, Hudson served as chief executive of Wagon Industrial Holdings for 10 years. He has also served as an independent non-executive director of Temple Bar Investment Trust from 1992 to 2005, and also of Senior Group for 10 years.
In 2011, turnaround specialist Endless drafted him in as non-executive chairman of Black Country engineering firm Niagara LaSalle (UK). In addition, he has also served as of aerospace component supplier Bromford Industries and he has experience as chief executive of Calder Industrial Materials, while he has also served as a non-executive director at Darwin Private Equity.
His services to industry in the West Midlands led to him being awarded the OBE in 2003 and he is currently a Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands Lieutenancy. He has served as President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the West Midlands Industrial Development Board and was a founding member of the CBI National Manufacturing Council.
A chartered mechanical and production engineer, Hudson studied for an HNC in production engineering and an HND in mechanical engineering at the then Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University) and holds a Masters degree in Production Engineering.
Also selected to receive a doctorate is the former principal of Birmingham Metropolitan College and ex-president of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, Dame Christine Braddock.
Dame Christine, left, who relinquished her role at the college last year, is now chairman of Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Her time as principal and chief executive of BMC saw her successfully combine three colleges to create one of the largest and successful colleges in the country.
Before moving into Further Education leadership, she worked as a Senior Education Adviser for the Home Office, managing and coordinating education policy and provision in 43 Midland prison establishments, in collaboration with local authorities and FE colleges.
She said: “As chairman of Birmingham Children’s Hospital, which has a long and successful association with Birmingham City University I am delighted and honoured to be presented this award by the university. It is recognition for all the staff teams I have worked with over the years, who have brought about the success for thousands of students and now patients.”
The first female member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, she is also Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands.
She receives her award on Wednesday.
