At its winter degree ceremonies on 15 December, Loughborough University will award honorary degrees to Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer, and Simon Denyer, Joint Chief Executive Officer at digital media company Perform.

Professor Dame Sally Davies was appointed as Chief Medical Officer in 2010, the first woman to hold the post. The Chief Medical Officer acts as the UK government’s principal medical adviser and the professional head of all directors of public health in local government. Dame Sally guides government decisions on a diverse range of subjects such as superbugs, drug trials and obesity.

A haematologist with specialist research interest in sickle cell disease, Dame Sally’s previous career highlights include developing the National Institute for Health Research. She also chairs the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, and is a member of several influential committees, including the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Advisory Committee on Health Research.

Loughborough University Economics and Geography graduate Simon Denyer was appointed to the Board of Perform in 2007. He founded the Inform Group in 2004 and was its Managing Director prior to its amalgamation with Premium TV in 2007. Before this Simon was head of digital rights at IMG, sales director at Sportal and started his career in sports media at Haymarket Publishing. He has worked with major sports rights holders in the exploitation of their rights over digital media for the past 12 years.

Professor Dame Sally Davies will be presented with the award of Honorary Doctor of Science (Hon DSci) in recognition of her contribution to public health and health research.

Simon Denyer will receive the title of Honorary Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) in recognition of his contribution to sports and digital media.

Watch live web casts of the degree ceremonies