From cinematographer to illustrious military career, the five honorary graduates celebrated for making a positive difference
Five leading figures making a positive difference in their respective fields and communities had their achievements recognised with an honorary degree from Edinburgh Napier University last week.
Accomplished cinematographer and Primetime Emmy winner Neville Kidd was awarded with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Arts for his contribution to the creative industry.
Responsible for overseeing several of Netflix’s popular science-fiction series, including Travels and The Umbrella Academy, this is not the first time Neville has been awarded an Edinburgh Napier degree after studying for a BA in Photography and Film in 1989.
Serving across the globe in his illustrious military career, former CEO and producer of Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, David Allfrey MBE, received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration.
During his 10-year stint leading the Tattoo, David worked tirelessly to promote its mission to be the world’s greatest immersive event whilst highlighting the value and importance to Edinburgh’s cultural heritage.
David has used this experience to support Edinburgh Napier’s tourism, festival and event students by delivering annual lectures as well offering internships and work experience.
A fellow Edinburgh Napier student, composer and performer Anna Meredith MBE received an Honorary Degree of Doctor for Music in recognition of her services to industry. Defined by her traversing genre and style, Anna has been a composer in residence for the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and RPS/PRS Composer in the House with Sinfonia ViVA.
Former chief executive of Wood Group, Robert Keiller CBE, was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Enterprise for commitment to the humanity of business, after being at the helm of some of the world’s largest multi-national organsations as well as supporting innovative SMEs.
Also in receipt of an Honorary Degree is former Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland Gill Imery QPM for leading substantial improvements in policing for the benefit of the public and was the first woman to take command of policing Edinburgh divisions as well as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
The honorary graduates will become doctorates of the University, alongside 2000 students graduating from the universities six faculties this week.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “It’s a real privilege to be presenting these five outstanding individuals with an honorary degree at this year’s ceremony.
“Each one has not only exemplified significant contributions to their chosen fields but made a positive impact on society as a whole. We hope their achievements will continue to play an inspiring role to those attending and graduating Edinburgh Napier University.”
Honorary graduates
Robert Keiller CBE, Doctor of Enterprise
Bob attended Jedburgh Grammar School and then went on to graduate from Heriot-Watt University with a Master’s in Engineering. Over the course of a 30-year career in the oil and gas industry, he held no less than 18 different roles in 10 different organisations, a varied career trajectory that provided him with a wealth of valuable perspectives on the impact of leadership style on organisational culture.
He has earned distinction and eminence at the helm of large multi-national organisations, as well as innovative, small and medium sized enterprises, by developing and nurturing the right organisational culture and putting people first. Today Bob is an inspirational TEDx speaker, a LinkedIn influencer with more than 160,000 followers, Chief Storytelling Officer at The Lens, and a Business Advisor through his consultancy firm, AB15.
Anna Meredith MBE, Doctor of Music
After studying at Edinburgh Napier University, Anna went on to receive a first-class honours degree in Music from the University of York, before gaining her master’s degree from the Royal College of Music. In recognition of her services to music, Anna was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
She has presented for BBC Radio 3 and 6Music and is a regular radio and TV guest, judge and panel member. She has created original music for numerous films, television productions, documentaries and installations, and has performed at pop festivals and classical concert halls worldwide.
Anna’s debut album, Varmints, was released in March 2016, achieving both Pitchfork’s coveted Best New Music and the Scottish Music Industry Association Scottish Album of the Year awards.
David Allfrey MBE, Doctor of Business Administration
David’s strong ability to co-ordinate and motivate, and his enthusiasm and skill for running large scale events led him to be awarded an MBE for delivering the commemoration events for D-Day. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel he became Director of Studies for technical training and became involved in army recruiting, with a focus on increasing diversity. A further promotion to Brigadier led him to work with the Scottish regiments and command the 51 Brigade.
David is also dedicated to making international connections. He has visited 55 countries and one of David’s greatest achievements was to take the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brand overseas. In 2016 and 2017, the Tattoo, under his directorship, delivered sell-out shows in New Zealand and Australia, selling more tickets than events featuring AC/DC and One Direction.
Gill Imery QPM, Doctor of the University
Gill has led substantial improvements in policing for the benefit of the public and was the first (and so far the only) woman to take command of policing Edinburgh division, as well as the first (and only) female Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary.
She has had an impressive career in policing and was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for distinguished service in 2017. Gill also has a Master of Arts degree in English Literature and Language and a postgraduate certificate in Child Protection.
In 2016, Gill was seconded to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland as an Assistant Inspector and then in 2018 she was appointed as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland. There, she set the strategic direction for the inspectorate.
Neville Kidd, Doctor of Arts
Neville is an accomplished cinematographer, working at the highest level of the global screen industry as a Director of Photography, DoP, in which role he is responsible for the visuals, the camerawork and lighting, for high budget international television programmes.
By the early 2000s, Neville had become the ‘go-to’ cameraman when producers needed a distinctive versatile visual approach. He made a significant contribution to the way television cooking programmes are filmed.
He was the cameraman when Jamie Oliver, then an unknown junior chef at London’s River Café, made his debut; and Neville filmed the pilot and many successful series with Nigella Lawson, perfecting the art of framing close-ups of both the food and presenter.
Producers from North America approached Neville to work as DoP on projects for Hollywood studios. One of his first American projects was the Outlander series made in Scotland. For his work on an episode entitled The Battle of Prestonpans he was inducted into the American Society of Cinematographers.
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