A WEST Midlands businessman and philanthropist will receive a honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University tomorrow.
Peter Blakemore, managing director of AF Blakemore and Sons, will be conferred in recognition of his business achievements.
Mr Blakemore joined the family business in 1965, leading the company through its largest period of growth during the 1980s after becoming MD in 1974.
In 1991, he was appointed chairman of SPAR Food Distributors and in 2002 he joined the board of directors on the SPAR International Board.
Blakemore was one of the first UK firms to open cash and carry depots during the 1960s and today the company’s retail operation includes eight Blakemore Wholesale depots across England and Wales, and more than 200 Spar shops.
When he joined the firm in 1965, the company recorded annual sales of less than £1m and net assets of £16,000.
By the end of the 2010 financial year, this figure had reached £815m in sales, with net assets exceeding £60m.
In 2009, Mr Blakemore was awarded Prince’s Ambassador for the West Midlands in recognition of his leadership and commitment to responsible business.
He also launched the ‘Blakemore Foundation’ which provides small grants to local good causes and charities and supports the Black Country Challenge, which aims to boost the achievements and aspiration of young people by improving the links between businesses and local schools.
His award will be conferred at Symphony Hall, in Birmingham, with students graduating from the Birmingham Institute of Art and Design and the Faculty of Performance, Media and English.
