Three people renowned for their accomplishments in their individual fields of work have been awarded honorary degrees by The Open University (OU).
James Timpson, chief executive of Timpsons, the national shoe repairs company, talented composer and musician Matt Baker and Professor of Psychiatry Kamaldeep Bhui all received their honours at recent OU degree ceremonies.
Reflecting the OU’s values
The Open University issues honorary degrees to people in society whose work, or achievements reflect the University’s values of openness to people, places, methods and ideas, or who promote educational opportunity or social justice.
James Timpson, whose father John is also an OU honorary graduate, is chief executive of Timpsons. The company has long been involved in prisoner reform and is known for offering employment to former inmates. James is also Chair of the Prison Reform Trust and supports various prison charities and support groups.
He said:
“If I was to give anyone any advice about overcoming hurdles it would be to be kind to one another, to trust other people and to work hard. I don’t think you can achieve great things without those three things.”
Matt Baker, composer and musician
Matt Baker is a talented composer and musician who has worked for several decades within his community in Chester, running choirs, conducting bands comprising all ages, and was a key player in productions of the Chester Mystery Plays. He is also Artistic Director of Chester’s Theatre in the Quarter.
He said:
“We are living in an increasingly diverse society, wonderfully so, and I think every project we do, and the work that I do, needs to reflect that and it is really important to reach out for every member of society, particularly those in communities where there are normally barriers.”
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui CBE
Kamaldeep is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, editor of the influential British Journal of Psychiatry and someone who is active in influencing social and health policy.
He has reached his position by overcoming his own barriers and demonstrates promoting diversity through widening access and inspiring teachers, students, colleagues and researchers.
His advice to students was this:
“Success is all about making sure you are true to yourself, that you are true to your own values and identity, and you don’t feel you have to be someone else.”
He added:
“Imposter syndrome is often talked about amongst successful people. Be yourself and be sure about what you want to do and why you want to do it and once you have begun, make sure you finish it but celebrate your successes.”
