News

UCA honorary graduates 2009

24 June 2009

Pioneering cameraman and photographer John Henshall, Oscar winning cinematographer Billy Williams, architect Sir Terry Farrell, broadcaster and journalist Janet Street Porter, creative director James Spence, and philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield will be honoured at the University's graduation ceremonies this summer. 

John Henshall has pioneered major advances in the new art and science of digital imaging. He began his career as a BBC Cameraman where he created the now ubiquitous 'lightweight television camera' mounted on a long boom arm. He was Director of Photography on hundreds of early music videos for artists including Pail McCartney, Kate Bush, David Bowie and Elton John and has worked extensively in television including on MTV when the music channel came to Europe. He is currently CEO of the -EPI-centre an electronic photo imaging company which he founded in 1993. John has served as President of the British Institute of Professional Photography and is currently Co-Vice Chairman of the Guild of Television Cameramen. John Henshall will be presented with an honorary degree on 30 June at Guildford Cathedral.

Billy Williams has been responsible for some 40 films in a career that has spanned half a century. He received an American Academy nomination for Women in Love in 1969, and On Golden Pond 1981, and won the Oscar for Ghandi in 1982. He also has British Academy nominations for Women in Love, Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) and Ghandi.  Billy Williams will be presented with an honorary degree on 1 July at Guildford Cathedral.

Sir Terry Farrell has practiced as an architect for over 40 years initiating and completing numerous high profile building schemes and master-plans worldwide. These include Charing Cross Station and the MI6 headquarters buildings on the banks of the River Thames in London.  Sir Terry will be presented with an honorary degree 8 July at Kings School, Canterbury.

Janet Street-Porter has been a travel writer for the Observer and The Mail On Sunday, and restaurant critic for Vogue. For two years she was the Editor of the Independent On Sunday, a role she relinquished in 2001 to become Editor at Large. Later at the BBC in the late 1980s she created a host of new formats for young people including Rough Guide to Careers, the A to Z of Belief, Reportage, and produced the Full Wax with Ruby Wax. Within the entertainment group at the BBC Janet was responsible for about 35 series from This Is Your Life to Fantasy Football League. Janet Street-Porter will be presented with an honorary degree on 3 July at the All Saints Church, Maidstone.

James Spence has worked at the top of the advertising and broadcasting industry in the UK and Canada. He is currently BBC Group Creative Director for marketing and communications at the broadcasting agency Red Bee Media. James Spence will be presented with an honorary degree on 21 July at Rochester Cathedral.

Dame Vivien Duffield is one of the UK's most inspiring and dedicated philanthropists. The Clore Duffield Foundation has made generous donations to a great many arts causes in the UK. Dame Vivien Duffield will be presented with an honorary degree on 30 June at Guildford Cathedral.

For more information about our honorary graduates contact the University Press Office.