Honorary degree holders

ALFRED MORRIS

Alfred Morris has been a long-term supporter and advocate of Hartpury College and Hartpury University. He’s a former High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire and received a CBE in the 2003 Birthday Honours list.
As Vice-Chancellor of the University of West of England (UWE) 1992-2005 he worked to develop an effective and supportive partnership relationship with Hartpury College as it was established as an Associate Faculty of UWE. Following this, Alfred was an active and early proponent of Hartpury’s decision to commence the journey to Degree Awarding Powers and achieving university status in 2019. Alfred’s relationship with Hartpury continued after he moved on from UWE, with him being formally appointed as the College’s Inaugural President in 2008.
Nationally, Alfred Morris has served on: the Council for National Academic Awards; the Higher Education Quality Council; the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; the Further Education Funding Council for England; and the e-University Holding Company. Regionally, Alfred Morris was a founder member of the South West Regional Development Agency, a director of the South West Urban Regeneration Fund, a trustee of the Gloucestershire Community Foundation, and an honorary academician of the Royal West of England Academy.

This honorary degree is awarded in recognition of Alfred’s contribution to education and Hartpury.

NICK GAZZARD

Following the murder of his daughter Hollie by her former partner, in February 2014, Nick felt strongly that something positive should come out of Hollie’s death and created the Hollie Gazzard Trust. He is determined to try and prevent similar tragedies by increasing awareness of domestic abuse and stalking and the devastating effect it causes. Nick’s dedication and tireless hard work for the trust is expanding to further work across the country.
He has inspired many people with the story of how he gave a devastating experience a positive outcome, highlighting his passion for helping others. Recent projects have included helping launch the Black Country Stalking Support Service; delivering Working Without Fear a dedicated programme supporting businesses and organisations. He also worked with Exeter University and Public Health England on creating and delivering a program ’Football Onside’ tackling violence and abuse in football and sport through bystander intervention.
He is a Keynote Motivational Speaker and has spoken at a variety of conferences and training events nationwide. This includes ‘Beyond the Bruises’ conferences in London on the new domestic violence legislation and statutory guidance framework, as well as a variety of statutory agencies including National Police Chiefs’ Council single point of contact (SPOC’s) training; College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service. He has been involved with Hartpury for many years, delivering a variety of training at at Hartpury’s annual Wellfest event, covering topics such as healthy relationships, sexual harassment and safeguarding.

This honorary degree is awarded in recognition of Nick’s dedication to raising awareness and delivering training for the prevention of domestic abuse and stalking. And, as always, in loving memory of Hollie.

Malcolm Wharton

Malcolm was Principal of Hartpury College for 22 years. Appointed to the post of what was then the Gloucestershire College of Agriculture and Horticulture in 1990. He took Hartpury from 69 students on two agricultural courses and under threat of closure, to around 3000 students on a range of equestrian, animal management, sport and land management programmes. By his retirement in 2012, Hartpury College was graded Outstanding by Ofsted.

Some of the key achievements delivered by Malcolm and his team included the Hartpury Equestrian Centre, started in 1991, the Hartpury Sports Academy established in 1999 and the start of higher education programmes in 1992 – which led eventually to the establishment of Hartpury University. Malcolm and his team invested £50m in new facilities for students during his tenure.

Malcolm’s wider contribution is significant. He is currently Chair of the British Equestrian Federation, an Honorary Vice President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, one of only five life members of Gloucester Rugby, a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society and former Director and Council member of the RFU.

Building on Malcolm’s CBE award for services to Further Education in 2012, this Honorary degree is awarded in recognition of his contribution to education and Hartpury.

Carl Hester

Carl Hester is a household name that is synonymous with British Dressage. He has numerous, significant achievements in top-level dressage. He helped Britain to their first-ever team European title in 2011, also picking up individual silver on his horse Uthopia. He is a fivetime Olympian, achieving Gold at London 2012 and Silver at Rio 2016. He became the first Honorary Patron of British Dressage in November 2016 and is often described as one of Britain’s most successful dressage riders, holding 68 national dressage titles.

Carl has extensive involvement in developing other athletes and nurturing riding talent, as well as having produced many horses to Grand Prix level. He is committed to the development and welfare of both horse and rider.

Carl is an advocate of Hartpury’s educational programmes and incredibly supportive of Hartpury’s Equine Academy programme. He
periodically visits Hartpury to train students and welcomes them to his yard for training opportunities. He is also a familiar face at Hartpury events, competing in numerous competitions here.

Carl is a highly regarded role model, both inside and out of equestrian sport and was invested MBE in 2013. This honorary degree is in recognition of Carl’s significant contribution to equestrian sport and education.

Mark Davison

Mark was a governor of Hartpury for 25 years, 17 of which were spent as Chair. During that time Hartpury developed from an institution with only 69 students and under the threat of closure, to the outstanding institution it is now. Mark was absolutely instrumental in this progress as the influential Chair of the Board of Governors.

Mark, a local farmer and businessman, is also a former governor of the University of the West of England, has held the chair of the CULTIVA (ELITE) Consortium, and was a member of the Gloucestershire Federation of Colleges. He was a local county councillor for the area including Hartpury, and was also involved in the setting up of the radio station Severn Sound.

This honorary degree is awarded in recognition of Mark’s contribution to education and Hartpury.

Martin Baber – posthumous award

We fondly remember Martin Baber, who passed away in 2019. Martin was a former student of Hartpury and a governor for 24 years, retiring in February 2015. He was a key figure in helping to form a new Board of Governors in 1989 when Hartpury’s future was under threat. His knowledge ensured the right people were presented for election to the Board, and he nominated local businessman and farmer Mark Davison to be elected as Chair, believing him to be the best person for the job. Martin helped Hartpury to become one of the largest land-based education institutions with an outstanding reputation.

He was made President of Hartpury Rugby in 2010 and used this role to encourage higher achievement and greater participation in the sport’s activities. He was responsible for the formation of the Gloucestershire Farmers Trust and he managed to retain Agriculture House in Gloucester as a venue for farmers to meet.

This honorary degree is awarded in recognition of Martin’s contribution to education and the agriculture sector in Gloucestershire.