News and Events

Doctorate for leading Dorset businessman

13 November 2009

Leading Dorset businessman Gordon Page has described receiving his honourary degree from BU as a “special honour”.

Gordon Page, a leading figure in the aircraft and defence industries, has received the honorary degree Doctor of Business Administration from BU

The degree was presented during award ceremonies to recognise graduates from the University’s Business School.

“Thank you for this very special honour,” he said after being presented with the degree by former BU Chancellor Lady Dione Digby. “Bournemouth University has a well-deserved place in the top echelons of academic institutions in the UK.

“Its reputation, both regionally and internationally, increases each year and I am really proud to become directly associated with such a fine and progressive institution,” he continued. “The University is the premier academic centre in Dorset and plays an active part in the economic development of the region; it is hands on and makes a significant contribution to the quality of life in this fantastic part of the world.”

Page has made an enormous contribution to the business community of Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset over a period of two decades.

After 27 years with Rolls Royce he joined Wimborne-based Cobham plc in 1990. As Chief Executive and later Chairman, he led the company to global standing as a front-runner in the development, delivery and support of aerospace and defence systems. He is currently Chairman of Hamworthy plc.

Initially Managing Director of Flight Refuelling Ltd, now Cobham plc, Page rose rapidly to Group Deputy Chief Executive, Chief Executive, and then Chairman until his retirement in 2008. Cobham now has an annual turnover in excess of £1bn and employs some
13,500 staff across five continents including more than 2,000 in Dorset.

Since 2004 he has also been Chairman of Hamworthy plc, the leading marine engineers who are also at the forefront of environmentally-related technology. He has also given immense energy and commitment to the support of business in Dorset, where he has consistently emphasised the importance of developing high-level skills and a knowledge-based economy.

He formerly chaired the Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Economic Partnership and now chairs the Dorset Multi-Area Agreement, a Government-supported local initiative in which local authorities, business, education and training organisations, including BU, work together for the economic benefit of the region.