Anglia Ruskin University's Honorary Graduate Site

Search for an Honorary

Anglia Ruskin News and Events

Students enjoy clean sweep at Macmillan awards
Artists from Anglia Ruskin University have swept the board at the prestigi... more

Tom wins award for impressive body of work
Talented Tom Hiscocks has won the 2013 Dr Supanee Gazeley Fine Art Prize -... more

Around the World in 80 Books with Kate Mosse
Bestselling novelist Kate Mosse will take part in a literary event with a ... more

Honorary Doctor of Philosophy, 1992
Bio | Citation

Deceased 2001

Ian Dixon was born in Hertfordshire in 1938. He studied at South West Essex Technical College, and in 1960 was named National Federation of Building Trades Employers' "Trainee of the Year". He began his career at John Corby & Sons, and by the age of 27 had become Managing Director. In 1967 he took over as General Manager at John Willmott Holdings where he remained until his retirement in 1998, by which time the company had become Willmott Dixon Ltd, one of the largest private construction companies in the UK. Ian also played an active role in public service. He was a member of Bedfordshire County Council 1977-1985, serving as Chairman of the Education Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Riverside Health Authority, and Bedfordshire Training and Enterprise Council. He was a great supporter of Anglia Ruskin, sponsoring a Chair in Construction Management, and he was member of the Governing Board from 1989 to 1991.

In 1992 was made an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy.

Areas Of Interest:
Faculty: Health, Social Care & Education
Citation:

"Ian Dixon is Chairman of Willmott Dixon Ltd, the parent company of a group of 10 building companies with a turnover of £2 hundred million. The group was established 140 years ago and has grown rapidly in the past 20 years to become one of the largest private companies in the United Kingdom building industry. He joined the group in 1967 progressing through a variety of management roles to become Joint Chairman and Chief Executive in 1987 and Chairman in 1990.

When the construction industry Council was established in 1991 to speak for all the build environment professions, Ian Dixon was chosen to be its first Chairman.

Ian Dixon has held a variety of public appointments. As a member of Bedfordshire County Council between 1977 and 1985 his roles included Vice Chairman of the Council and Chairman of the Education Committee. He has also at various times been Chairman of the CBI Easter Regional Council, the North Hertfordshire Health Authority, the Riverside Health Authority and Bedfordshire Training and Enterprise Council. Ian Dixon was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1991.

Ian Dixon has been active in education and training since 1961. He is an advocate of active partnerships between higher education and industry and his company practices what he preaches through positive involvement in education and training activities in every level of operations. Ian Dixon has been a strong supporter of Anglia Polytechnic University over many years. His company sponsors a Chair in Construction Management and he was a member of the Governing Board from 1989 to 1991.

In recognition of his services to education and training, Ian Dixon is awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy."

Beth Chatto OBE is the queen of gardening. The now world-famous Beth Chatto Gardens at Colchester garden began in 1960, on wasteland at the back of her late husband, Andrew Chatto's fruit farm, where many problem areas have been transformed into...

Read this feature

Jerome Booth is head of research for the Ashmore Group plc, a world leading emerging markets investments company. He is the second largest shareholder, a member of the Investment Committee and the 'public face' of the company, regularly contributing..

Read this feature

The 2013 Graduation Ceremony dates can be found here

2013 ceremony dates