David Hadfield (Construction Management 1980) is honoured with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to sport. David has been the President of the Boccia International Sports Federation since 2013. Boccia has been recognised as one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports worldwide with the UK becoming one of the global leaders at the sport under David’s presidency.
Alumna Georgina Seccombe is awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to Olympic sport. Georgina took up the modern pentathlon whilst studying Geography (2001) at Loughborough and later went on to win a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. She has been involved with many major sporting institutions since her retirement in 2008, including her role as Team GB Chef de Mission for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
For services to sport, Stephen Stewart has been awarded an MBE. The Recreation Management (1989) alum was the Deputy Director of Sport at Loughborough before moving to his current role as the Director of Saints Sport at the University of St. Andrews. Stephen is a champion of inclusivity in sport, and a pioneer of using the power of sport, volunteering, and education to support disadvantaged communities. He is a founder of the Wallace Group, a collaboration of seven universities in the UK with a shared interest in promoting sports and health workshops in developing countries.
Alumnus Christopher Bowden has been awarded an MBE for services to environmental science and international vulture conservation. Christopher, who graduated in 1982 with a BSc in Ecology, is widely recognised as a world expert on Northern Bald Ibis and vultures and has been key to promoting the UK’s reputation as a world leader in international conservation. His work has been attributed to saving four bird species from the brink of global extinction.
On accepting the MBE, Chris said: “I’m truly flattered to receive this recognition of my efforts for vultures – I’ve had the huge privilege of working closely with so many dedicated partners and individuals from across Asia and more widely, together applying good science to achieve conservation aims over the past 18 years."
Honorary graduate Hugh Morris has been awarded an MBE for services to cricket and charity. Hugh had a long and successful playing career. Highlights included captaincy of England ‘A’ and full international caps. He was Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s youngest ever captain, a club record holder for number of runs and centuries in a season, and overall number of career centuries. Following his retirement, Hugh took up a post with the England and Wales Cricket Board and in December 2005 was promoted to deputy chief executive before being named as the first managing director of the England cricket team. Hugh has also contributed significantly to the charity sector and was named Patron of Heads Up, a head and neck cancer charity in 2002.
Dr Brian Negus is an ambassador at Vista, a Leicestershire and Rutland based charity supporting people with visual impairments. Prior to his retirement, he was the director of computing services at the University. Severely visually impaired himself, Brian has been awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) for his work in helping others with visual impairments using technology, going above and beyond during the pandemic.
Many congratulations to all our honours recipients.