Wellcome Trust Chair and co-founder of Eden Project among new Honorary Degree recipients – University of Reading
02 July 2003The co-founder of the world-renowned Eden Project, the Chairman of the Wellcome Trust and a judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague will be among five people to receive Honorary Degrees at the University's Summer Degree Congregations. The retiring President of the University Council and the Chairman of Thames Water will also be awarded Honorary Degrees. The ceremonies are held over three days from 3 – 5 July in the Great Hall, London Road. On Thursday 3 July Mr Tim Smit , Director of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of the Eden Project will receive a Doctor of Science. Mr Smit, with John Nelson, discovered the derelict Heligan estate in West Cornwall in 1990 and developed it into the Lost Gardens of Heligan. On Friday 4 July Sir Dominic Cadbury, Chairman since 2000 of the Wellcome Trust, the world's largest medical research charity, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham and a member of the well-known Birmingham Cadbury family will receive a Doctor of Science, while Mr Paul Orchard-Lisle, President of University Council since 1994 will be awarded a Doctor of Laws. Mr Orchard-Lisle, who is an independent property adviser, retires from the Presidency on 31st July. Dame Rosalyn Higgins, a judge of the International Court of Justice since 1995, will receive a Doctor of Laws on Saturday. Dame Rosalyn has been a member of the Committee of Human Rights. Mr William Alexander - Chief Executive of Thames Water plc since 1997 will receive a Doctor of Science. Bill Alexander has overseen Thames' Water's growth from a regional company serving London and the Thames valley to one of the world's largest water companies. For further details please contact Carol Derham or Sue Rayner, Communications & External Relations Office, University of Reading 0118 378 8004/5.