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Mike Adams OBE

Mike Adams

Areas of Interest

Education

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Education, 2014

Biography

Mike Adams is Chief Executive of ecdp, an Essex based disabled people's organisation, run by and for disabled people. ecdp provides a broad range of programmes and services that enhance the lives of disabled people in Essex.

Mike is a tireless campaigner for the rights of disabled people and has been a Director of the Disability Rights Commission, Director of the National Disability Team for Higher Education, and co-director of a disability research centre at Coventry University. He has acted as Chair of the Essex Right to Control Programme Board and is currently Chair of Healthwatch Essex. He has previously been a Non-Executive Director for Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust and was Acting Chairman for 9 months.

Mike is a celebrated Anglia Ruskin alumnus, graduating from Anglia Ruskin University with an MBA in 2004. In 2012 he was awarded an OBE for services to disabled people.



Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Mike Adams OBE for the award of Doctor of Education, honoris causa.

Mike Adams is Chief Executive of ecdp, an Essex based disabled people's organisation. He is a tireless campaigner for the rights of disabled people and a celebrated Anglia Ruskin alumnus.

As a Disabled People's user-led organisation, ecdp is run by and for disabled people. ecdp provides a broad range of programmes and services that enhance the lives of disabled people in Essex.

Under Mike's leadership, ecdp has developed strategic partnerships with Essex County Council and the Department for Work and Pensions, enabling his organisation to consult on service provision and to make an active contribution within the policy making arena.

ecdp has also established a ground-breaking collaboration with private sector company Mitie, to create high-quality work experience opportunities for their members. The initiative provides critical support to help disabled people find suitable employment. By engaging with a diverse range of employers, from charities to large corporates, ecdp has generated a wide variety of opportunities, enabling many of their members to learn new skills and start new careers. For many of its participants, the programme has proved to be truly life-changing.

Mike has devoted his career to expanding and enhancing the opportunities available to disabled people, and to opening up greater access to work. He has been a Director of the Disability Rights Commission, Director of the National Disability Team for Higher Education, and co-director of a disability research centre at Coventry University. He has acted as Chair of the Essex Right to Control Programme Board, and is currently Chair of Healthwatch Essex. He has previously been a Non-Executive Director for Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust and was Acting Chairman for 9 months. Mike has also undertaken the role of visiting professor at Leeds Metropolitan University.

In 2004 Mike graduated from Anglia Ruskin University with an MBA. Then in 2012 he was awarded an OBE for services to disabled people. He lives and works in Essex.

For many years now, Mike has given the disabled community a powerful voice and acted as a significant influence on the shaping of public policy at both local and national level. We are pleased to recognise his achievements as an outstanding leader, influencer and champion of the disabled community, and are delighted to welcome Mike Adams to our Anglia Ruskin community.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Mike Adams OBE for the award of Doctor of Education, honoris causa."