The achievements of Debra Charles, Founder and Chief Executive of Novacroft; Sacha Romanovitch, Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership; and Simon Rowlands, Founder of Africa Platform Capital have been celebrated at Cranfield University’s 2019 graduation ceremonies.
The trio received Honorary Doctorates from the University for their work shaping UK business.
Professor Sir Peter Gregson, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Debra, Sacha and Simon represent the very best of British business. All three have demonstrated that business excels when it is driven by a clear purpose that benefits all of us in society.”
Debra Charles, Founder of Chief Executive of Novacroft, said: “It is with immense pride that I receive the Honorary Doctor of Science, particularly as it is from Cranfield University, which I hold in the highest regard. Cranfield is enabling and equipping our children to seize the opportunities of the coming decades. To me, that’s of significant importance, because my legacy is about ensuring that humanity thrives as we approach the fourth industrial revolution.”
Sacha Romanovitch, Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership, said: “The team at Cranfield have encouraged and supported me in my leadership journey which makes this honour even more special. Truly, thank you for lifting me up. I hope that in sharing the journey I have been on that it can be used to help others on their own paths to shape our collective future.” Simon Rowlands, former Founding Partner of private equity firm, Cinven, said, said: “It is such a privilege to receive this honorary degree from Cranfield University. The MBA teaching at the School of Management radically changed the trajectory of my career, moving from engineering into investment management. Co-founding, working and growing with a team of special people at Cinven has been a wonderful privilege, and my contribution owes a great deal to the early teachings and mental models Cranfield instilled in me.
About Cranfield University
Cranfield University is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management.
