Top judge and violinist to receive honorary degrees

A world-renowned violinist and a former head of the UK Supreme Court will receive honorary degrees from the University of Exeter on Saturday (16 December).

Grammy winner Augustin Hadelich will be honoured for his outstanding achievements in music, while Lord Neuberger, who was Britain’s most senior judge until he stood down earlier this year, will receive the honour for his contribution to law.

Professor Ian Boyd, Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, will be honoured for outstanding achievements in the field of environment and human health.

Helen Brand OBE, Chief Executive of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), will be recognised for her outstanding contribution to the accountancy profession.

Lord Neuberger said: “It is a great honour to be receiving an honorary degree from the University of Exeter.

“It is a particular honour for a judge or former judge to be recognised in this way by a university with such a fine reputation for law.

“I congratulate all those graduating with me, and, whether or not they become lawyers, I hope that they will enjoy their careers as much as I have done.”

Augustin Hadelich said: “I am humbled to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter. I have great memories of Exeter from my performance here last year and very much look forward to returning to Exeter for this honour and to speak to the graduating students.”

Professor Boyd said: “It is a great honour to be awarded a DSc by the University of Exeter.

“I feel a strong affiliation with the university, which is a global leader in environmental science.

“It provides the strong intellectual foundation we need to plan successfully for the future.”

Helen Brand said: “This honorary doctorate is a very pleasant surprise from my alma mater.

“I graduated in 1986, becoming president of the Guild from 1986 to 1987; I recall my time at the University of Exeter with great fondness.

“The University has given me the foundation for my career success, and I’ve always been keen to keep in touch.

“This connection has enabled ACCA and the University of Exeter to forge close ties that have benefitted its students and the profession.

“We’ve worked together on creating the first MOOC (massive open online course) for accountancy, to running internships for Exeter students with key ACCA employers; and we’ve also created links between our ACCA China office and the University.

“So for me, this honorary doctorate is given in recognition of the strong relationship between ACCA and the University of Exeter.”

The ceremonies, presided over by the University Chancellor Lord Myners, will see around 1,300 students graduate in total. The graduates join an alumni community of well over 120,000, who live in 183 countries.

For more information on graduation, including how to watch live streaming of the ceremonies, visit http://www.exeter.ac.uk/graduation/