Graduation 2016
Graduation 2016

Honorary graduates from the world of business joined more than 2,000 postgraduate students to receive degrees from Cranfield University at their colourful graduation ceremonies held over two days this week.

The graduates, from more than 100 countries, and hundreds of their guests gathered at the university to receive their honours and celebrate their achievements.

Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate University creating leaders in technology and management through world-class education and research. These celebrations recognise the excellent achievements of those who have studied here, many working with leading brands from industry and commerce. We will also be recognising the outstanding contributions to society of those who will be receiving their honorary degrees.”

Honorary graduates:

Mr Allan E Cook CBE, Chair, Atkins plc

Professor Dame Ann Dowling DBE, President of Royal Academy of Engineering

Mr Ian King, Chief Executive, BAE Systems

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE, Chief Executive, Mitie plc

Mr Paul Polman, Chief Executive, Unilever

Dame Marjorie Scardino DBE, Chair, The MacArthur Foundation Board

Mr Nigel Stein, Chief Executive, GKN plc

Mr Willie Walsh, Chief Executive, International Airlines Group (IAG)

Air Marshal Sir Timothy Anderson KCB, DSO, Founder of UK Military Aviation Authority

About Cranfield University

Cranfield has been a world leader in management education and research for over 50 years, helping individuals and organisations learn and succeed by transforming knowledge into action. We are dedicated to creating responsible management thinking, improving business performance and inspiring the next generation of business leaders. We work to change the lives of our students and executives by encouraging innovation and creative thinking, as well as the drive to succeed and make a real impact on their organisations.

Organisations as diverse as Jaguar Land Rover, BAE Systems, Royal Dutch Shell, L’Oréal, UNICEF and the African Development Bank have benefited from our work, which ranges from management research projects, through staff talent management development on our MBA courses, to customised executive programmes.

Cranfield is one of an elite group of Schools worldwide to hold the triple accreditation of: AACSB International (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and AMBA (the Association of MBAs).

We are in the Top 10 International Business Schools in the Forbes’ ranking.

Our open and customised executive education programmes are ranked in the top five in the UK, according to the latest Financial Times survey, and in the top ten in the world for international reach. Over 10,000 people come to Cranfield each year to benefit from our executive and professional development programmes.