NHS leader and Greenwich graduate awarded honorary degree
Sir Robert Naylor, Chief Executive of the University College London Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust, was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science (HonDSc) by the University of Greenwich on Friday October 23, 2009.
Robert Naylor was educated at the University of Greenwich. He became a management trainee at the King’s Fund in 1972 and then worked at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Kent Area Health Authority, Enfield District Health Authority and East Birmingham Hospital. At the age of 35 Sir Robert became the Chief Executive of one of Birmingham’s major teaching hospitals
He has been Chief Executive at University College London Hospitals
NHS Foundation Trust since November 2000 where he has overseen the largest ever single building project in the NHS, a £422 million development to create a new world class hospital.
As part of Alan Milburn’s strategy group, he was influential in persuading the Labour government to devolve power and freedom to the most successful hospitals by creating Foundation Trusts, the first of which was established in 2004. They are all about hospitals working closely with their community, rather than being run by Whitehall politicians.
Sir Robert was knighted in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List for services to healthcare in recognition of his pioneering work in foundation trust hospitals.
Professor Liz Meerabeau, Head of the School of Health & Social Care, made the traditional eulogy of praise says: “Sir Robert’s reputation rests on building new hospitals, developing talent particularly clinicians in management and the development of world class research. His leadership in these areas has helped University College to become the number one biomedical research centre in Europe. He has fond memories of his time here and recalls his relief at being told that his degree would teach him problem solving, rather than the rote learning which had made A-levels so tedious, a critical skill in reconciling the inherent ambiguities of the NHS. We are proud that he started his career here and to welcome him back here today. “
Sir Robert Naylor who wore a gown of blue and gold damask silk and a Tudor-style academic bonnet was presented his honorary doctorate by Lord Hart, Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.
He wasjoined by over 120 graduating students from the School of Health & Social Care at the ceremony in the Chapel of St Peter & 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.
-ENDS-
A photo of Sir Robert Naylor is available on request from Public Relations.
For further information, contact:
Nick Davison
Public Relations
University of Greenwich
Tel: 020 8331 8092
Email: n.a.p.davison@gre.ac.uk