Ealing’s University of West London has given out two new honorary degrees to two individuals – Mark Cammies for his work in business and John Lill CBE for his work in the arts.
Mark Cammies was recognised for his work in business which included roles working for a variety of organisations including Dixons, Forte plc, B&Q and Tesco. In a career of 35-years, Mark also moved into the health sector joining Circle Cealth where he helped to build it into Europe’s largest partnership of healthcare professionals.
Outside of business, Mark is a governor of the Universitty where he also acted as deputy chair and is also on the board of charity Sense which helps people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities.
Presenting the award, Professor Anthony Woodman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at UWL said “We are grateful to Mark for his outstanding contribution to the University and his professional expertise and support of which he has given so generously on so many aspects of the estate, but in particular his invaluable support on our decarbonisation project in 2021.”
Mark said he was both delighted and proud to receive the award. “It has been a privilege and honour to sit on the Board of Governors at UWL and to see the University grow and flourish to create the amazing educational standards that we see today. The quality and reputation of UWL continues to grow, which is a source of great pride for me.”
John Lill, CBE gets his honorary degree for his contribution to the arts where he has been described as one of the leading pianist of his generation.
Awarding him with his honorary Doctor of Music in absentia, Senior Lecturer at London College of Music, Simon Rigby praised John for his outstanding contribution to classical music.
“John Lill’s remarkable career as a concert pianist spans over 60 years, during which time he has given over 5,500 concerts,” he said. “His great talent emerged early on, and he gave his first piano recital at the tender age of nine – and by the age of 14 had already committed to memory all of Beethoven’s piano sonatas. Distinguished public performances soon followed including, aged 18, Rachmaninov’s 3rd Piano Concerto, under the baton of Sir Adrian Boult.”
He went on to win many prestigious international prizes and awards including in 1970 the Moscow International Tchaikovsky competition. John is celebrated as a leading interpreter of Beethoven whose complete piano sonatas he has performed on several occasions.
As well as recording for Deutsche Grammophon, EMI, ASV, Chandos, Conifer and Nimbus Records, he has received many Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships and was awarded an OBE in 1977 and made a CBE in 2005 for his services to music and he even has taught several piano masterclasses at the UWL’s London College of Music over the years.
John said he was delighted to be recognised by the London College of Music for a lifetime of work in the arts. “I am very thrilled to receive this award from UWL,” he said. “It really is a great honour to be recognised in this way by an institution that does so much to develop and support the next generation of classical musicians. Thank you. I am deeply touched.”
