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Issued:03/09/12
An instrumental member of the team that brought the Olympics to the UK in 2012 is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for excellent public and voluntary service.
The Rt Hon Richard Caborn was Minister for Sport under the Labour Government from 2001 to 2007, and played a crucial role in developing and presenting the successful proposal for London to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games back in 2005.
Mr Caborn served as MP for Sheffield Central for 27 years, before retiring from Parliament in 2010. He has been an outspoken voice on the importance of participation in sport, both during and after his role in Government.
Born in Sheffield, he was educated at Hurlfield Secondary Modern Boys' School, before taking up an engineering apprenticeship at the age of 15 and attending day release courses at Sheffield Polytechnic.
As an engineer Mr Caborn became involved in the trade union movement, taking on the role of convenor of shop stewards at Firth Brown where he worked.
Due to his industrial and trade union background, in 1979 he was elected the first MEP for Sheffield, before contesting the Parliamentary seat for Sheffield Central at the 1983 General Election which he won comfortably, remaining in post until 2010.
Speaking about the announcement of his honorary doctorate, Mr Caborn said: "It is a great honour and privilege to be awarded an honorary doctorate from the institution where I was educated over 40 years ago - an institution that has grown and developed to become one of the most successful and respected new universities in this country and abroad.
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"I was fortunate, leaving school at 15 to serve a first class engineering apprenticeship, supported by first class education facilities at Sheffield Polytechnic. Whilst my engineering skills and knowledge were not used for long in the engineering industry they have been invaluable throughout my political and parliamentary life."
Mr Caborn has always been a strong supporter and ambassador of Sheffield Hallam, helping the University to develop its links with industry both in the UK and globally. He will receive his honorary doctorate at a University Graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall on 15 November.
Notes for editors:
Sheffield Hallam will be awarding honorary doctorates to a number of key figures from the worlds of sport, business, the arts and other industries in its 2012 graduation ceremonies. Further announcements will be made over coming weeks, with all ceremonies due to take place in November.
For press information contact: Ally Mogg in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 2811 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk
