Press Releases

Berkshire dignitary receives honorary degree – University of Reading

Release Date : 08 December 2004

Philip Wroughton, the Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) at The University of Reading's graduation ceremonies on Saturday 11 December. Mr Wroughton, who has been a key supporter of the University for many years, joined almost 1,000 students at the University's Great Hall for the Degree Congregations, which are held for 'the official conferment of degrees and the presentation of diplomas and certificates for students that have recently completed their studies'. As Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mr Wroughton is the Queen's personal representative in the county and, among his many duties, he escorts official Royal visits to Berkshire and presents Queen's Awards to scouts and guides. Mr Wroughton spent his employed life in the City, eventually becoming Vice-Chairman of one of the world's largest insurance and investment management businesses, Marsh & McLennan Companies of New York. During the 1990s, he chaired a successful appeal to raise £1.5 million towards the building of the University's purpose-designed building for Agriculture, which was opened by HRH Princess Royal in 2000. More recently, he has also assisted the University with the final preparations for the launch of the Museum of English Rural Life, which will be relocating in 2005 to a new building in Redlands Road. End For media enquiries only, please contact Sue Rayner, the University Communications Manager Tel: 0118 378 8005 Email: s.j.rayner@rdg.ac.uk