Marco Cereste
Areas of Interest
Politics and Government, BusinessHonorary Award
Honorary Doctor of Health Sciences, 2012Biography
Marco Cereste was Chair of the NHS Trust Federation and became the founding Co-Chair of the NHS Confederation, successful entrepreneur, and current Leader of Peterborough City Council.
Marco spent 25 years working for the NHS, during which time he served in a variety of eminent positions, including Chair of NHS Peterborough, member of the NHS Executive International Audit Development Group, and member of the NHS Corporate Governance Advisory Panel. Marco retired from the NHS in 2010.
Marco holds non-executive directorships at a number of non-profit organisations, including Opportunity Peterborough. He also served as Deputy Chair of the East of England Development Agency, and Chairman of the EEDA's Performance and Resources Committee.
As a long-standing member and leader of Peterborough City Council, Marco invests a great deal of time and energy in helping local people address a variety of issues. He also has a strong interest in sustainability projects. He is Chairman of both Peterborough Renewable Energy Limited and Green Energy Parks Limited, a company at the forefront of developments in zero landfill technology and is the Vice-Chair of the national City regions board.
In 1990 the Italian government awarded him the rank of "Cavaliere" or "Knight". In 2001 he was awarded the rank of "Cavaliere Ufficiale" or "Officer Knight". And he was recently awarded one of Italy's highest honours - La Stella Doro Della Soledarieta Italiana, First Class.
Citation
"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Marco Cereste for the award of Doctor of Health Sciences, honoris causa.
Marco Cereste was Chair of the NHS Trust Federation and became the founding Co-Chair of the NHS Confederation, successful entrepreneur, and current Leader of Peterborough City Council.
Born in Bovino, province of Foggia in Italy in 1950, he arrived in Peterborough during Coronation week in 1953. Marco attended Orton Longueville School and Peterborough Regional College before setting out on a career that would successfully combine a keen entrepreneurial spirit with a strong commitment to public service.
Marco spent 25 years working for the NHS, during which time he served in a variety of eminent positions, including Chair of NHS Peterborough, member of the NHS Executive International Audit Development Group, and member of the NHS Corporate Governance Advisory Panel. Marco retired from the NHS last year, but his other duties ensure his time continues to be in great demand.
Marco holds non-executive directorships at a number of non-profit organisations, including Opportunity Peterborough. He also served as Deputy Chair of the East of England Development Agency, and Chairman of the EEDA's Performance and Resources Committee.
As a long-standing member of Peterborough City Council, Marco invests a great deal of time and energy in helping local people address a variety of issues. He also works hard to attract new investment into Peterborough, with a particular focus on creating new jobs, and building new and improved schools and healthcare facilities.
Marco has lived almost his entire life in Peterborough and he is passionate about sharing his vision of a bigger, better Peterborough, a city where everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their potential and benefit from high-quality public services.
Yet Marco's commitment to public service has not prevented him from exploring other opportunities, and he has established a group of companies that span sectors as diverse as property development, renewable energy and child care.
Marco has a strong interest in sustainability projects. He is Chairman of both Peterborough Renewable Energy Limited and Green Energy Parks Limited, a company at the forefront of developments in zero landfill technology.
Marco's success in combining a distinguished record of public service with a high-profile business career has been recognised internationally. In 1990 the Italian government awarded him the rank of "Cavaliere" or "Knight". In 2001 he was awarded the rank of "Cavaliere Ufficiale" or "Officer Knight". And he was recently awarded one of Italy's highest honours - La Stella Doro Della Soledarieta Italiana, First Class.
Marco's work with non-profit agencies and public-service provides an excellent example for all of our students of how hard work, aspiration and a keen dedication to the local community can lead to an extremely successful and rewarding career.
Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Marco Cereste for the award of Doctor of Health Sciences, honoris causa."