Ady Hinchliffe was Head Coach for the City of Leeds Diving Club, home to six of the current British podium divers, for over 20 years. His leadership of the team resulted in Leeds divers Jack Laugher and Chris Mears taking gold for Team GB in Rio in 2016, and Jack winning another silver. Ady will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Sport Science at 10am on Friday 28 July, for his world-class services to sport coaching.Leeds Beckett University Chancellor, Sir Bob Murray CBE, said: “Ady has managed to accomplish what no diving coach in the world has ever done. To start a club from the bottom and raise it to international in the diving world – from National Skills medallists to Olympic champions – is truly remarkable.
“He has dedicated himself to the club and divers, and helped so many to achieve national and international success with his world-class coaching skills. Leeds diving under Ady’s stewardship has never been stronger, and as an alumnus of the University, we couldn’t be prouder of him as we award him this Honorary Doctorate.”
Ben Wilkins, the Oscar and BAFTA-winning Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer at Warner Brothers, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts from Leeds Beckett on Thursday 27 July. The influential artist, who has edited and mixed award-winning soundtracks for dozens of well-known films and TV projects, including Whiplash, Star Trek, Twister, The Walking Dead and The Sopranos, will be officially recognised for his contribution to music and film.
Sir Bob Murray CBE said: “We are delighted to recognise Ben’s huge contribution to music and film.
“Receiving both an Oscar and BAFTA for his work is testament to his immense talent and he has demonstrated that passion, combined with hard work, can lead to enormous success.
“As well as creating well-known soundtracks for numerous films, Ben has also inspired our students first hand, which makes this award even more special. In 2016, he spent a week as a visiting artist at the University and included the MA Music for Film, MA Sound Recording and Design, and BA (Hons) Filmmaking students in the mixing of the University Cluster Bid funded feature length documentary film, Mansfield 66/67.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming him back and formally recognising his exceptional work, which inspires many of our students.”
Nahid Rasool is Chief Executive of the Shantona Women’s Centre, and will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University on Wednesday 26 July for her contribution to the public and voluntary sector in Leeds. Nahid has been Chief Executive of the Shantona Women’s Centre for the past 18 years and will be officially recognised by the University for her commitment to empowering communities in Leeds.
Nahid said: “I’m delighted to receive this award and it’s brilliant that the ShantonaWomen’s Centre has been recognised for the amazing work it carries out.
“What makes this award even more special is that I completed my Masters in Business Administration at Leeds Beckett in 2008, which has really helped me shape the Shantona Women’s Centre into a more successful, sustainable organisation.”
