Unipart chief receives honorary doctorate

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A life-long businessman has been presented with an honorary degree.

John Neill, chairman and group chief executive of Unipart, was presented with an honorary doctorate in business administration in recognition of contribution to the automotive and logistics business.

In 1987, he led a management buyout transforming Unipart from its origins into a global manufacturing, logistics and consulting business, while at the same time building the Unipart Way ecosystem.

As well as working with clients across a range of sectors worldwide, Unipart has developed a unique partnership with Coventry University to create the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), a collaboration that helps train industry-ready graduates in manufacturing and commercialises research and development in the UK.

Neill said: “I am delighted to be receiving this honorary doctorate from Coventry University.

“In our digital world, entrepreneurial thinking and innovation are vital to success. Our relationships with universities – and in particular, our partnership with Coventry University through the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering and the new Advanced Supply Chain Institute planned for Oxford – enable us to apply research and learning to create innovative new products and services that are needed by our customers.”

(l-r) John Neill with Professor John Latham (Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University)