John Sorrell Awarded Honorary Degree
John Sorrell, Chairman of the Commission for Architecture & Built Environment (CABE), the Sorrell Foundation and London Design Festival, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Design (HonDDes) by the University of Greenwich on Monday, July 16, 2007.
Corine Delage, Director of Learning and Quality in the School of Architecture & Construction at the University of Greenwich says: “If you are looking for a design champion, John Sorrell is the one: since the age of 14, when the power of creativity was revealed to him, he has never ceased to promote the idea that good design can transform people’s lives for the better.”
Sorrell studied art and design at Hornsey College of Art and set up his first business when he was 19. He chaired one of Europe’s biggest and most successful design companies, Newell and Sorrell, from 1976 to 2000. The company worked with clients throughout the world and won over 100 awards for creativity and effectiveness.
During this time he was Vice President of the Charted Society of Design, Chair of the Design Business Association and Chair of the Design Council.
In 1996 John was appointed CBE, and has been awarded the Royal Society of Arts Bicentenary Medal and elected honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
He is Co-Chair of the Sorrell Foundation, which aims to improve quality of life through design, an area in which he has been an influential figure throughout his career.
John was appointed Chair of CABE in 2004, advising the government on architecture, urban design and public space.
He is a member of the DfES London Challenge Ministerial Advisory Group, the Advisory Group on School Building Design and the Culture and Creativity Advisory Group.
John is a regular speaker and broadcaster on design, creativity and identity, appearing on television and radio and at conferences around the world. His book Creative Island features inspired design and he co-authored Joinedup designforschools.
His honorary doctorate was presented by the Baroness Blackstone, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.The eulogist was Corine Delage, Director of Learning and Quality in the School of Architecture & Construction, at the University of Greenwich. John Sorrell wore a gown of blue and gold damask silk and a Tudor-style academic bonnet.
John Sorrell wasjoined by over 120 graduating students from the School of Architecture & Construction at the ceremony in the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College.
Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals of distinction who have made a major contribution to the work of the university, or who have earned prominence for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work and public service.
A jpeg photo is available on request from the Press Office
For further information, contact:
Nick DavisonPublic Relations Unit
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk