Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is among five notable people from the city who will be given Honorary Doctor of Letters
A group of five influential leaders in Hull are set to be honoured with degrees from the University of Hull. Ahead of winter graduation ceremonies set to take place in January, the university has named the handful of leaders with achievements to their names in business, sport and education.
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is among the honourees, and will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters following the premiere of a new documentary series about The Robins’ journey from relegation in 2016 to their historic treble-winning success. The university has called the Australian a “true change-maker” and deserving of the distinction having guided the team to victory in the Challenge Cup Final, defeating Super League Grand Final rivals Wigan and lifting the League Leaders’ Shield..
He will be joined by former Hull FC head coach Lee Radford who will be honoured for his contribution to sport and community development having guided the team to their first Wembley win in 2016 and the Challenge Cup win in 2017. Mr Radford has gone on to roles with Castleford Tigers, the Dallas Jackals, the Samoa Rugby League, and was recently appointed Scotland defence coach.
The managing director of diverse business group J R Rix & Sons Ltd, Rory Clarke – who is also a Hull University Business School alumnus – will also be recognised for his “visionary leadership and commitment to regional business growth”. Mr Clarke has worked for the Hull-based business for more than 30 years and earned his MBA at Hull in 2011.
And former Hull chemist Lesley Gracie, the creator of the now world renowned Hendrick’s Gin, will be celebrated for her approach to innovation. More than 25 years ago, while working in the lab at William Grant & Sons’ Girvan Distillery in Scotland, Ms Gracie was approached by Charlie Gordon to create a new gin, and Hendrick’s was the result.
Meanwhile, CEO of The Bedford College Group and former CEO and principal of Barnsley College, Yiannis Koursis will be honoured for his efforts in tackling social mobility issues, skills gaps and his achievements in further education. The university said Mr Koursis brings a “clear and unapologetic voice to the national stage on the role of further education”.
The five leaders will have Honorary Doctor of Letters conferred on them by University of Hull chancellor the Rt Hon. Alan Johnson at Middleton Hall on December 17. The event features a showing of the seven-part Hull KR series called Renaissance.
Professor Kevin Kerrigan, interim vice-chancellor, said: “The University of Hull is deeply engaged with our communities and endlessly ambitious for our students. Inspired by exceptional teaching and supported by our dedicated staff, they develop the skills, confidence and values to become the freethinking future makers of tomorrow. In awarding degrees we celebrate their life-changing determination, resilience, and ambition. We are proud of every one of them.
“Each graduation is also an opportunity to honour those individuals from business and industry, the arts, education and sports whose leadership, talent, ingenuity and generosity have transformed their fields of endeavour and their communities and inspired others. Our newest graduates begin their professional journeys alongside distinguished leaders who mirror our commitment to progress. Through collaboration and engagement, we are proud to bring together generations of change-makers, ready to shape a fairer, brighter and better future for all.”
The University of Hull Graduation ceremonies will take place at Hull’s Connexin Live arena, between January 13 and 15.