UCA announces Kent honorary degree recipients
Kent media entrepreneur Geoff Miles, Design Museum director Deyan Sudjic and Design Council chief executive David Kester will all receive honorary degrees from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) next month.
Geoff Miles, who has worked in television for over 35 years and is currently chairman of Maidstone TV Studios, will be presented with an honorary Master of Arts at All Saints Church, Maidstone, on 13 July 2012.
Geoff has worked with many entertainment stars including Tommy Cooper, Bob Hope, Luciano Pavarotti, Paul O'Grady and Shirley Bassey. He was dubbed 'Mr. Saturday Night' when he was responsible for BBC1's prime-time Saturday entertainment schedule with Bob Monkhouse, Paul Daniels and Jasper Carrott.
In 2002, Geoff led a consortium of local business people to buy the Maidstone Studios which regularly attracts major network programmes such as Frank Skinner's Opinionated, The Biggest Loser and ITV1 hit show, Take Me Out.
He remains heavily involved with the wider Kent economy and chairs the Kent Economic Board, the Kent Economic Board Business Advisory Board and is Vice Chair of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
UCA's Broadcast Media course is based at The Maidstone Studios and many students gain network television work experience thanks to the special relationship with the Studios.
Geoff Miles said: "I'm truly honoured to receive this award. With their Broadcast Media degree, UCA lead where others now follow and to have my career in broadcast television recognised by them, for me, is the icing on the cake.
Dr Simon Ofield-Kerr, Vice-Chancellor at UCA, said: "Geoff has had a long and distinguished career in television and produced some of the biggest names in showbusiness.
"Since becoming chairman of Maidstone Studios, Geoff contributed a great deal to the Kent business community and has opened many doors for UCA and our Broadcast Media students at The Maidstone Studios."
Deyan Sudjic OBE, director of the Design Museum in London, will receive his honorary degree alongside UCA Canterbury graduates at Kings School, Canterbury, on 17 July 2012.
Founded in 1989, the Design Museum is the UK's cultural champion of design and wins international acclaim for exhibitions of modern design history and contemporary design.
Before joining the Design Museum in August 2006, Deyan was Dean of the Faculty of Art, Architecture and Design at Kingston University, visiting professor at the Royal College of Art, and the Observer newspaper's design and architecture writer.
Deyan has published many books on design and architecture, and was the co-founder of Blueprint magazine. In 2004, Deyan was awarded the Bicentenary Medal of the Royal Society of Arts for the promotion of design, and was made an honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He was made an OBE in 2000.
Deyan Sudjic said: "I am honoured to receive this award from UCA, and to share this graduation day with a new generation of wonderfully creative talent."
Dr Simon Ofield-Kerr said: "Deyan Sudjic has made a hugely significant contribution to both architecture and design in the UK, most recently through his leadership of the Design Museum's expansion and relocation to the former Commonwealth Institute - a project generously supported by Sir Terence Conran who was recently made an Honorary Professor of UCA."
Design Council chief executive David Kester will be awarded an honorary Master of Arts at Rochester Cathedral on 10 July 2012.
David took up his role at the Design Council in 2003 and leads its national programmes and policies for industry, education and the public sector. He is an advocate, commentator and adviser on design for innovation and the built environment.
David's current focus is on using design to stimulate economic renewal which involves coaching firms with high-growth potential including manufacturers, start-ups and technology ventures.
During the last year, David has led the Design Council out of the public sector including a merger with the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment.
His background in design, industry and the environment includes nine years as Chief Executive of D&AD.
The University for the Creative Arts has 7,000 students, studying at campuses in Canterbury, Epsom, Farnham, Maidstone and Rochester.
Honorary degrees will be awarded to Hollywood director Gareth Edwards, Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis and graphic design pioneer Adrian Shaughnessy at UCA's graduation ceremonies in Surrey.
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
