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Bath Spa University Graduation Ceremonies
The director of many successful comedy series on British television, Tristram Shapeero, is to be awarded an honorary degree by Bath Spa University. He and a leading film producer, Simon Relph, will be among four people receiving the DLitt (Doctor of Letters) award at the University's graduation ceremonies on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July.
Tristram Shapeero was born in Somerset and grew up in Bath, where he attended St Stephen's and Beechen Cliff Schools. He has directed iconic and popular television comedies for more than 20 years, including Absolutely Fabulous, Peep Show, Brass Eye, Im Alan Partridge, Bremner Bird and Fortune, Green Wing, Pulling and Smack the Pony. In July 2009 Tristram moved to California to direct comedy for American television.
Simon Relph has been an independent film producer since 1981, with credits that include Warren Beatty's epic drama Reds, The Ploughman's Lunch, Wetherby, Damage, Enchanted April and The Land Girls. He has served as chairman of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) and is on the board of South West Screen and Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Simon is the author of the Relph Report on low budget film production.
Sir Graeme Davies is currently Vice-Chancellor of the University of London. He previously held similar posts at the University of Glasgow and the University of Liverpool. Sir Graeme is also a former chairman of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. In this role he was a key figure in developing the contribution of universities to the UK economy through teaching and research.
Sir William Stubbs is a former chairman of the exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Determined to maintain the standards of A levels, Sir William became embroiled in controversy when in 2002 he was accused of pressurising the A level Boards. Sir William has held a number of other senior education posts, including chief executive of the Inner London Education Authority in the 1980s and chief executive of the Further Education Funding Council in the 1990s.
The presentations will also include an Honorary Fellowship to Professor David Timms, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, in recognition of outstanding service. He retired from Bath Spa in December 2009 after 18 years at the University. Professor Timms played a major part in the University achieving Taught Degree Awarding Powers in 1992, University title in 2005 and Research Degree Awarding Powers in 2007.
A total of about 2800 students will gain degrees and diplomas at Bath Spa University's graduation ceremonies on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July.
Guest speaker at the Friday graduation ceremonies will be the Reverend Prebendary Edward Mason, who is Rector of Bath Abbey and also a member of the University's Board of Governors.
The Saturday speaker is Nicole O'Flaherty, Chair of the Board of Governors at City of Bath College. Until three years ago she was also a councillor on Bath and North East Somerset Council and became the Executive Member responsible for Tourism, Leisure and Culture. Nicole was recently appointed Chair of the Bath Fringe Festival.
Press Release Issued 14 July 2010.