LEADING figures from the worlds of the Royal Navy and national broadcasting shared the special day of hundreds of graduates from the University of Chester.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones and Lord Hall of Birkenhead were honoured at graduation ceremonies on Friday.
Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL and Lord Hall of Birkenhead received honorary degrees in ceremonies at Chester Cathedral in recognition of their expertise in their fields.
More than 550 graduates were congratulated by the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Eunice Simmons, who will be presiding.
Professor Simmons, said: “Our graduation ceremonies are such a highlight in our year and I was looking forward to my first in Chester Cathedral as Vice-Chancellor.
“It is a wonderful occasion for all the graduates, their families and their friends as they celebrate the culmination of all their hard work and step out into their futures.
“I am also extremely pleased to see such eminent professionals in their fields, Admiral Sir Philip Jones and Lord Hall of Birkenhead, receive their honorary degrees in recognition of all they have achieved.”
Admiral Sir Philip Jones GCB DL received a Doctor of Science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Royal Navy.
Philip completed a 41 year career in the Royal Navy in June 2019, which culminated in his three year appointment as Chief of Naval Staff and First Sea Lord, the Royal Navy’s professional Head and Chairman of the Navy Board. In that role he was responsible to the Secretary of State for Defence for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Naval Service. He also advised the Chief of the Defence Staff on maritime aspects of all operations. As Top-Level Budget holder for Navy Command he was responsible for the Navy’s £6.4Bn budget and its 30,000 people.
He said: “After growing up on the Wirral, and with a father who spent most of his working life at Cammell Laird Shipbuilders in Birkenhead, I was clearly aware of the strong maritime heritage of this area when I joined the Royal Navy over 40 years ago. As such it was very special when I was selected to be Head of my Service, as 1st Sea Lord, four years ago; the first ever from this region. Having retired nine months ago, I feel deeply honoured to have my achievements, and my links to the area, recognised with the award of an honorary degree by the University of Chester.”
Lord Hall of Birkenhead received an honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Royal Opera House and the BBC.
Tony Hall is one of the key figures in this country's media and arts industries. As Director-General, Tony is the BBC’s creative, editorial and operational leader. He oversees all the BBC’s services across the UK and around the world, both public service and commercial.
Tony is also President of the European Broadcasting Union, championing public service media across the world.
He became the BBC's 16th Director-General in 2013 and announced this January that he would step down from the role in the summer to take up the position of Chair of the National Gallery.
Tony first joined the BBC as a news trainee in 1973 and, as Director of News and Current Affairs, launched many of the BBC's most popular digital services - including BBC News Online, the rolling news channel, BBC Parliament and Radio 5 Live.
In 2001 he became Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, bringing financial stability, supporting new artists, and developing new audiences. He introduced the first live cinema screenings around the UK, low-price ticket schemes and a thriving new production park in Thurrock.
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