University of Bradford honours six in graduation ceremonies.

Notable names from the fields of health, archaeology, biology, retail and engineering will be presented with honorary degrees to recognise their achievements and contributions to the local, national and international communities.

Receiving honorary degrees from the University will be:

• Dalton Philips, Chief Executive of Morrisons, will receive a Doctorate of the University
• Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe CBE, Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford, will receive a Doctorate of Science
• Ron Lee, Director of Powertrain for Jaguar Landrover, will receive a Doctorate of Engineering
• Sir Keith Pearson, Chair of Health Education England, will receive a Doctorate of Health
• Dame Dr Barbara Hakin OBE, National Director overseeing operational delivery of healthcare in NHS England, will receive a Doctorate of Health
• Professor Bertil Andersson, world-renowned plant biologist and President of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, will receive a Doctorate of Science

Honorary graduates will receive their awards from the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor, during degree ceremonies taking place in the University’s city campus Great Hall on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 December.

Professor Cantor said “We are proud to honour six individuals who represent some of the very best practice in their chosen fields. Their contributions, both within their fields and to society as a whole, make them true inspirations and I hope that their personal drive and accomplishments inspire our graduates to strive for greatness too. It is an honour to welcome them as honorary graduates into our University of Bradford family.”

Honorary graduate biographies

Dalton Philips

Doctor of the University

Dalton Philips has been the Chief Executive of UK retailer Morrisons since March 2010. After growing up on a poultry farm in Ireland, he attended University College, Dublin. He has since held managerial and executive positions in retail companies around the world including Jardine Matheson in New Zealand and Wal-Mart Inc. running divisions in Brazil and Germany. Dalton is a non-executive director at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe CBE

Doctor of Science

Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe CBE is a distinguished archaeologist and academic and is currently Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford where he taught from 1972-2008. He has served in various notable positions such as President of the Council for British Archaeology and as a Commissioner of English Heritage. Sir Barrington has published many excavation monographs, research reports and books.

Ron Lee

Doctor of Engineering

Ron Lee has held the position of Director of Powertrain for Jaguar Landrover since 2013 following 12 years as Group Chief Engineer of Powertrain. He has been instrumental in developing the new collection of low emission, 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines which Jaguar Land Rover is currently preparing for their new range. Ron was included in the 2014 Sunday Times Britain’s 500 most influential people.

Sir Keith Pearson

Doctor of Health

Sir Keith Pearson has been Chair of Health Education England since June 2012 after 16 years of holding chair positions in the NHS. Prior to the NHS, he held chief executive posts in East and South-East Asia. Outside of his healthcare work, Sir Keith is Chair of the Tri-Base British-American Community Relations committee for the MOD and Chair of the GMC UK Revalidation Programme Board and was Chairman of the National Advisory Group on Health and Criminal Justice. Sir Keith has been a Magistrate since 1999 and received a Knighthood in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in June 2010.

Dame Dr Barbara Hakin OBE

Doctor of Health

Dame Dr Barbara Hakin OBE is the National Director responsible for overseeing operational delivery of healthcare in NHS England seconded from the Department of Health. She qualified in medicine in Leeds in 1975 and then worked as a GP in Bradford for 20 years before holding various chief executive positions within healthcare. Dame Barbara is renowned for her work on the development of clinical commissioning.

Professor Bertil Andersson

Doctor of Science

Bertil Andersson is a world-renowned plant biologist and President of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. He is a research adviser to the Swedish government and was Vice-President of the European Research Advisory Board (EURAB) of the European Commission in Brussels 2004-2009. An author of more than 300 papers, Bertil received the Wilhelm Exner Medal in Vienna, Austria, recipients of which include Nobel Prize winners.