Honorary Graduates 2002
Professor Peter Watson
Doctor of the University
Peter Watson was appointed Professor of Accounting and Financial Management at the University College at Buckingham in 1978, at the very young age of 30. The following year he was appointed Vice-Principal and, after the granting of the Royal Charter in 1983, served as deputy to successive vice-chancellors, including a period of nearly two years as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Throughout his time at Buckingham, Peter Watson was responsible for the finances of the growing institution. He retired from the University in 1997 and now has a variety of occupations ranging from Chairman of a heavy leather tannery, non-executive director of a defence training agency to the chair of independent reviews of health service complaints. He has also written, with David Sutton, a Fellow IMCA, looking at the potential for the internet in delivering education and is currently writing a book about the challenges of delivering high quality services in the public sector.
Mr Roderick Wu CBE
Doctor of Laws of the University
Roderick Wu has continuously served as Chairman of the University’s Alumni Association in Hong Kong since its establishment in the 1980s, acting as a main contact for graduates and representing the University at local events. He is married to Lorna, who is also one of the University’s first law graduates.
Sir Stanley Kalms
Doctor of Science of the University
Sir Stanley is also involved in many private charitable activities including the setting up of the Stanley Kalms Foundation in London and the Stanley Kalms Readership in Business Ethics and Strategic Management at University of North London. He is also involved in the King’s Hospital ISLET Diabetes Research Programme.
As well as writing many articles in the media and journals on EMU and Corporate Governance, Sir Stanley also wrote a book, ‘A Time to Change’, a review of the activities of the United Synagogue. Sir Stanley received his Knighthood in the 1996 New Years Honours for his services to the electrical retailing industry.
Mr John Wheeler (d)
Doctor of the University
He joined Clarkson & Company in 1956, and when he retired in 1990 he was the company’s Head of Business Development. He has held directorships at Elder Austral Chartering Pty (Sydney and Melbourne), Berndt von Blomberg (shipbrokers), Hamburg, and Andry Montgomery Ltd (The Montgomery Network – trade exhibitions). Mr Wheeler was a consultant with Mitsubishi (UK) and Chairman of BIFFEX (1988-1992), as well as Chairman of Help the Aged (Buckinghamshire) from 1990 to 1994. He has also held the office of High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire for the year 1994-1995.
John Wheeler serves as a member of the Council of the University and was Vice-Chairman of the Finance and General Purposes Committee between 1995 and 2000.
Professor Patrick Minford
Doctor of Science of the University
Between 1990-1996 he was a member of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission and also on HM Treasury’s Panel of Forecasters (Six Wise Men) from 1993-1996. Although it is his analysis and solutions of post-war monetary problems for which he is best known, Patrick Minford’s work also covers books and articles on unemployment, housing and macroeconomics.
Patrick Minford has been a long-standing advocate of Buckingham, most notably in the strong support that he gives to the economists in the Department of International Studies.
Notes:
- Titles correct at time of conferment
- (d) indicates those Honorary Graduates who are now deceased