News | Thursday, 28th July 2022
University awards honorary degrees to inspirational business leaders
David Potts CBE and Nick Read awarded honorary degrees
Leading figures from the world of business and retail have been awarded honorary degrees by Manchester Metropolitan University in recognition of their achievements.
The University presented two honorary doctorates this week (July 25-28) during graduation ceremonies at the Bridgewater Hall.
Honorary degrees are awarded to those who have made major contributions to the academic work of the University or who have earned distinction for services to their sector.
This week’s honorands were:
David Potts CBE (pictured above) was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in recognition of his contribution to the retail sector and to charitable causes.
David is a vastly experienced retailer who joined Tesco PLC at the age of 16 and worked there for 39 years. He rose to become CEO of its Ireland business, its UK retail stores business and then CEO of Tesco Asia.
David was also on the Tesco PLC Board from 1998 until he left in 2011. He joined the Morrisons Group as Chief Executive in March 2015 and is credited with its strong financial success.
Morrisons offer a range of apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships as well as specialist farming apprenticeships. In 2013, David received a CBE for his services to employment, skills and apprenticeships in the retail sector.
Nick Read (pictured below) was awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in recognition of his significant contribution to business, the development of the telecommunications sector and his contribution to charitable causes.
Nick joined Vodafone Group in 2001, holding global senior executive roles until his appointment as CEO in 2018.
Prior to joining Vodafone, he held senior global finance positions with United Business Media Plc and Federal Express Worldwide.
Nick serves as a champion for HeforShe, a UN solidarity movement for gender equality. Under his leadership, Vodafone expanded its commitment to diversity and inclusion through parental leave, tackling domestic violence and abuse in society, introducing a new global commitment on menopause, and setting clear diversity targets for senior leaders.
He is a commissioner of the UN Broadband Commission and in this role, in 2021, Vodafone partnered with the commission in a global initiative to improve the lives of millions by pledging to make the internet accessible to all by 2030 through smartphone access.
Nick graduated with a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance in 1986 from Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan.
