At the same time as hundreds of Anglia Ruskin University students donned their robes for graduation during November, a number of exceptional individuals were honoured by the University for their special achievements - among them former Essex and England Captain, Graham Gooch.

On 21 November during a graduation ceremony for Arts, Law and Social Sciences students, Graham Gooch OBE received an Honorary Doctorate for his long and dedicated contribution to County Cricket in Essex, and for his illustrious and international record as a successful Test Captain of England. In 1991 he guided Essex to their fifth County Championship and was awarded an OBE. He retired from Test Cricket in 1995, after winning a record 118 caps for England and becoming their highest run-score with 8,900. In 1997 he announced the end of his playing career, working in recent times as Essex Country Cricket Club's Head Coach.

Roger Shilling, also received an Honorary award, an Honorary Fellowship, for his long, dedicated and distinguished service to the University as senior academic administrator, and for his sustained contributions to church and charitable organisations in Essex.

On 22 November during a graduation ceremony for students of the Ashcroft International Business School, John Ainsworth was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University for his contribution to business, industry and education. John Ainsworth has been Chief Executive and Secretary of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators for sixteen years. Before this he studied at the University of London and the City of London Business School and subsequently accumulated a wealth of experience as a high-level administrator in the Central Electricity Generating Board, the British Transport Docks Board, the British Industries Federation and the Institute of Administrative Management.

He is currently Chairman, Open and Distance Learning Quality Council; Council Member and Board Director, Commonwealth Association of Corporate Governance; Member of Court, Cranfield University and member of a range of organisations focused on professional standards.

On 24 November The Right Reverend Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward KCMG was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the University. Currently Pastoral Advisor to the staff at Ridley (theological) College, he was ordained and became Chaplain at Magdalene College, Cambridge, as well as having held a previous Chaplaincy Council role at Anglia Ruskin University. An accomplished lecturer and writer, he was a former Chaplain to the Queen and served as Bishop of Coventry for twelve years.

The final honour was bestowed to Andrew Pike on 25 November. He picked up an Honorary Doctorate of the University award at a graduation ceremony staged for students of the University's Institute of Health and Social Care.

Andrew Pike is an NHS Manager who joined the Health Service following University. He has been Chief Executive of Mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust in Chelmsford since 2000. During this time, he has become recognised as an outstanding leader and the driving force behind the Trust's improvements and proposals to centralise services. He started his career as a management trainee at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London.

Over recent years, he has been closely associated with developments with Anglia Ruskin University to identify opportunities for joint working between the two organisations. This has been particularly in the areas of medical and healthcare education, clinical research and support services.

As Chief Executive, he plays an important role in the present and future plans for nurse and healthcare education and employment in the region.