Martyn Phillips awarded honorary degree
Businessman Martyn Phillips today received an honorary degree of Doctor of Business from Southampton Solent University today (Thursday 21 November), in recognition of his outstanding contribution to local business leadership.
Martyn Phillips served as CEO for B&Q UK & Ireland from April 2011 to October 2013. Prior to this, he was Operations Director and previously HR Director.
He had been with Kingfisher since 1994 originally with Woolworths and latterly at B & Q since 2002. Before joining Kingfisher he worked for WH Smith as a Graduate trainee.
B & Q is the UK and Ireland’s largest home improvement retailer, with 360 stores and 30,000 employees nationwide. In 1968 Mr Block and Mr Quayle opened the DIY giant’s first ever store in Portswood Road.
Today the company has an approximate turnover of £4bn and makes £200m profit. As CEO, Martyn led the Board, overseeing the marketing, buying, supply chain, people and finance.
He is now pursuing a new career in leadership development through setting up his own business, based in Southampton.
Martyn is also Senior Independent Director of Hydrogen Group plc where he chairs the Remuneration Committee.
On receiving his honorary degree, Martyn Phillips commented, “I’m very proud to accept this honorary degree of Doctor of Business from Southampton Solent University. There is a real warmth in this university. This is a very progressive place, I can feel the determination, there is a lot of innovation and ambition is very high. I look forward to seeing Solent go from strength to strength and flying the flag for this university around the globe."
Martyn added, “Congratulations to the graduates here today, you have made a good start on your CV with Southampton Solent; I wish you every success."
The university awards honorary degrees to academics and professionals who have made an outstanding contribution in their field of expertise during its annual graduation ceremonies which take place at Southampton Guildhall from 18-22 November 2013.
More than 2500 students are graduating from Southampton Solent University with degrees and professional qualifications in subject areas ranging from journalism to sport science, fashion to yacht-design, and business management to TV and film production.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9040 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students.
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