Martin Edwards
Doctor of Business Administration (2023)
Martin EdwardsMartin Edwards is the Chief Executive of , a Children’s Hospice which supports families caring for children with life-limiting conditions across Dorset and Wiltshire. Since joining Julia’s House in 2005, Martin has led a significant expansion including the opening of two hospices, and attracted national awards both for the quality of the charity’s care and its support for staff.
Download Martin Edward's citation (pdf 70kb)
Kwilole Chisuse-van der Boom
Doctor of Business Administration (2023)
Kwilole Chisuse-van der BoomSince graduating from BU in 2013 with a degree in Public Relations, Kwilole has made a global impact as Chair of , a charity that provides a home and education to orphaned children in Zambia. She took over the leadership of the charity, which was launched by her mother, immediately after completing her degree. Kwilole has overseen its work to raise fifteen children orphaned by HIV and AIDS. Alongside her charity work, she is a Senior Account Director at a healthcare communications agency.
Download Kwiloe Chisuse-van der Boom's citation (pdf 70kb)
Debbie Fleming, OBE
Doctor of Business Administration (2023)
Debbie FlemingDebbie Fleming is one of the longest-serving Chief Executives in the NHS, and has helped to forge the strong partnership between BU and the region’s hospital trust. Prior to her retirement in 2022, Debbie was Chief Executive of the newly merged University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.
Her leadership career has tracked the ever-changing administration of the health service over two decades, and her services to the NHS have been recognised with an OBE. Debbie is also a BU graduate, having completed her MBAÂ in 1993.
Download Debbie Fleming's citation (pdf 58kb)
Jeff Dodds
Doctor of Business Administration (2022)
Jeff DoddsJeff Dodds is Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, an organisation which recently came together in a £32 billion merger. Having built his career in marketing within the automotive and telecoms sectors, Jeff has been involved in partnerships with England Rugby, Formula One and GB Paralympics, as well as high-profile campaigns featuring athletes Sir Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.
Jeff has a passion for equity, diversity and inclusion; from tackling digital exclusion to advising government and joining business leaders from around the world to create positive change for disabled people as part of The Valuable 500 collective.
Download Jeff's citation (pdf 62kb)
Edwina Dunn
Doctor of Business Administration (2018)
Edwina DunnEdwina Dunn is a pioneering businesswoman, who revolutionised the retail sector with the launch of Tesco’s Clubcard in the early 90s. She reflects that while the concepts behind loyalty schemes are simple, they rely on combining raw data with insights that tell stories and predict behaviour.
Edwina is a passionate advocate for gender equality and has used her own career as a platform to encourage women into leadership. She has developed a series of resources for use in schools and colleges to help girls fulfil their potential.
Download Edwina's citation (pdf 29kb)
Jim Stewart
Doctor of Business Administration (2018)
Jim StewartJim has served as President of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has been a member of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership for the last five years.
As Chief Executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, Jim Stewart oversees the management and development of Europe’s largest natural harbour. Jim’s advice to today’s graduates is to grasp opportunities whenever they arise. This includes exploring interests outside of your own sector, investing in your own learning and not being afraid to take on new challenges.
Download Jim's citation (pdf 30kb)
Darran Gunter
Doctor of Business Administration (2017)
Darran Gunter has led a distinguished career in the emergency services, including serving as Chief Fire Officer to Dorset for ten years and being awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal.
During his time in charge of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Darran oversaw a new focus on prevention which coincided with a reduction in fire-related deaths in the county. He also oversaw the amalgamation of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.
 (pdf 63kb)
James Gibson Fleming
Doctor of Business Administration (2017)
James Gibson Fleming is a passionate ambassador for the county; working actively to attract new business and talent to the region. A keen supporter of local charities, he champions the work of the community in his role as Vice-Lord Lieutenant of Dorset.
James has managed the family’s Ranston Estate since 1981. He is also a Trustee of the Talbot Village Trust, and runs his own internet business, which is focused on improving services to rural communities in Dorset. Â
 (pdf 70kb)
Chris Arnold
Doctor of Business Administration (2016)
Chris Arnold is a multi-award-winning business leader in the fields of advertising and marketing. He has enjoyed a successful career working with over fifteen of the world’s top marketing agencies and is a former Creative Director of Saatchi & Saatchi. Chris set up ‘FEEL’, the UK’s first ethical marketing and advertising agency. He is also the founder of the creative agency, ‘Creative Orchestra’ and the consultancy ‘The Garage’.Â
He is a published author and has appeared on numerous television programmes as an expert on branding and ethics. He has been a Board Director of Europe’s biggest trade marketing association, the DMA, as well as Chair of both the Agencies Council and the Creative Council.
 (pdf 43kb)
Charles Hunter Pease OBE
Doctor of Business Administration (2016)
Charles Hunter Pease has been an active volunteer and Board Member of the RNLI for twenty five years, most recently as Chair of the Board before retiring in September 2016. He also enjoyed a highly successful thirty year career with the Volvo Car Corporation, rising through the ranks to become Senior Vice President.
Charles was awarded an OBE in 2013 for services to maritime safety.
 (pdf 43kb)
Andrew Thomson
Doctor of Business Adminstration (2015)
Andrew Thomson is an entrepreneur in the fields of retail and hospitality. His career has spanned business start-ups and consultancy to some of the most iconic fashion chains on the high street, restoring historic houses, running a company that supplied bespoke automotive parts, and business consultancy.
Andrew makes time to support the local community through Trusteeships and representation on local Parish Councils.
(pdf 16kb)
Peter Long
Doctor of Business Administration (2015)
Peter Long is an entrepreneur with a track record of success in the leisure industry. He is currently the joint Chief Executive of TUI Group - the world's largest tour operator - and became Chairman of Royal Mail in September 2015.Â
Having nurtured the desire to run his own company as a young man, he started his own travel company which he grew and sold to Thomas Cook in 1996. Peter has served on the boards of a number of large well-known companies.Â
(pdf 15kb)
Dr Karen Arnold
Doctor of Education (2014)
Dr Karen Arnold is Chief Executive of The Enterprise and Skills Company. She has made a powerful impact as an entrepreneur in the commercial and charitable sectors.
Earlier in a richly varied career she held a number of senior management positions in industry, the theatre and commercial radio. Karen received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion in 2009.
Download Dr Karen Arnold's citation (pdf 70kb)
Treleven Haysom
Doctor of Technology (2014)
Treleven (Trev) Haysom is an authority on Purbeck stone and especially its marble, and is distinguished in the world of historic building restoration.
From his quarries in Purbeck he produces a range of stones for structural and decorative uses in major buildings such as Westminster Abbey. Trev is also a recognised expert in the ornithology of Purbeck.
Download Treleven Haysom's citation (pdf 69kb)
Eddie Bullock
Doctor of Business Administration (2013)
Eddie Bullock is a prominent international leader in golf and leisure management, widely influential as a conference speaker, writer and consultant. He was Captain of the Professional Golfers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland in 2011-13.
Eddie is a distinguished ambassador for golf, and has recently received a NATO Medal for promoting the sport in Afghanistan.
Download Eddie Bullock's citation (pdf 179kb)
Jean-Claude Baumgarten
Doctor of Business Administration (2012)
Jean–Claude Baumgarten is one of the most influential people in global tourism, with numerous international awards for his achievements.
In 1999, after a distinguished career in the airline industry, he became President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, and is now Vice–Chairman. He also continues to lead his own company, CREWE Associates.
Download Jean-Claude Baumgarten's citation (pdf 20kb)
Alan Frost DL
Doctor of Business Administration (2011)
Alan Frost has made a large contribution to the life and development of ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ, particularly as Chairman of the University Board from 2004-10. He is a highly experienced former CEO in the financial services sector with a reputation for successful change management.
Since 2010 he has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, and is currently the county’s High Sheriff.
Download Alan Frost's citation (pdf 15kb)
John Kent
Doctor of Business Administration (2011)
John Kent is an internationally reputed entrepreneur and visionary leader in the tourism and leisure industries. He is CEO of youtravel.com, the founder of Aquis Hotels and Resorts, and was formerly UK Managing Director of Lastminute.com.
Strongly committed to education, he promotes and supports cutting-edge research at BU’s John Kent Institute in Tourism.
Download John Kent's citation (pdf 19kb)
Ian Livingstone CBE
Doctor of Arts (2011)
Ian Livingstone is a pioneer of interactive entertainment and world-renowned authority on computer and video games. He is Life President of Eidos Interactive, publishers of the Tomb Raider series of games.
Ian is an influential champion of the UK video games industry and a strong supporter of The Media School and the National Centre for Computer Animation at BU.
Download Ian Livingstone's citation (pdf 16kb)
Alan Perry OBE ONL
Doctor of Arts (2010)
Alan Perry is a businessman with a passion for the heritage of Poole and its historic links with Newfoundland, where he has rebuilt an eighteenth-century Dorset merchant's house as a museum and learning centre.
He was a founding member and Chairman of the Wessex-Newfoundland Society, and is a leading supporter of BU's partnership with Memorial University.
Download Alan Perry's citation (pdf 59kb)
Gordon Page CBE DL
Doctor of Business Administration (2009)
Gordon Page has made an enormous contribution to the business community of Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset over a period of two decades. After 27 years with Rolls Royce he joined Cobham plc in 1990. As Chief Executive and later Chairman, he led the company to global standing as a front-runner in the development, delivery and support of aerospace and defence systems. He is currently a Director at Lockheed Martin UK Limited.
Among many other prominent roles in business and education he chairs the Multi-Area Agreement for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole, a partnership of local authorities, businesses and educational and training organisations (including ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ) working for the economic development of the region.
Download Gordon Page's citation (pdf 15kb)
Bernard Roberts
Doctor of Engineering (2009)
Bernard Roberts was the founder and Chief Executive of Marben Engineering Co Ltd, a Ferndown-based company that makes and supplies boiler technology equipment for power stations around the world. As a leading international specialist in boiler engineering, Bernard’s expertise was much in demand and he played key technical roles in many high profile power-supply projects, often in developing countries.
These led him into extensive charitable work, most notably in Zimbabwe where he organised many relief projects and supported schools, universities, hospitals and churches.
Bernard passed away in 2013.
Download Bernard Roberts' citation (pdf 15kb)
John Knowles
Doctor of Business Administration (2008)
John Knowles is a prominent businessman and entrepreneur. As Chairman and formerly Managing Director, he led DEK Printing Machines Ltd, a Weymouth-based microelectronics company, to become a world leader in its specialist field.
For many years he was a member of the University Board, serving as Deputy Chairman and as Chairman of the Personnel Committee. Mr Knowles is also a former Deputy Chairman of Poole Foundation Trust Hospital. He plays a leading part in the development of entrepreneurship in schools.
Download John Knowles' citation (pdf 17kb)
Ken Stanley
Doctor of Technology (2008)
Ken Stanley has distinguished himself as an inventor and entrepreneur. He founded BigHead, a Bournemouth-based company which supplies metal fastenings to many industries around the world.
A longstanding ²¤ÂÜÊÓƵ supporter, he has inspired many students with his ingenuity and enthusiasm for innovative technology, good design and environmental sustainability.
Download Ken Stanley's citation (pdf 15kb)
Romy Fraser
Doctor of Business Administration (2007)
Romy Fraser is an original and innovative entrepreneur, best known as a pioneer in the development, manufacture and retailing of natural medicines and toiletries. Neal's Yard Remedies, the company which she founded, sells over 1,400 products worldwide and in their 30 shops in the UK. She has established her manufacturing and distribution base in Dorset, in a purpose-built eco-factory at Peacemarsh near Gillingham.
Romy has also co-published books on alternative medicine and beauty care.
Download Romy Frasher's citation (pdf 18kb)
Justin King
Doctor of Business Administration (2007)
Justin King is the former Chief Executive Officer of J Sainsbury plc, the prominent supermarket chain and provider of financial services. Appointed in 2004, when the company was facing severe challenges, he launched and led the restructuring and recovery programme which enabled Sainsbury's to exceed its own ambitious growth targets. He left the company in 2014 and is credited with turning the business around, achieving nine years of consistent profits growth.Â
Previously, he held senior executive appointments at Häagen-Dazs, ASDA and Marks & Spencer.
Download Justin King's citation (pdf 18kb)