Bristol University is awarding honorary degrees to two prominent people at today’s degree ceremonies in the Wills Memorial Building [Friday, July 14].
Iain Gray, Managing Director of Airbus, will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Engineering at the 11.15 am ceremony.
Born in Aberdeen, Iain was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and studied engineering at Aberdeen University.
After graduating, he joined Airbus, the UK’s largest civil aerospace company, beginning his career working in aircraft crack propagation and fatigue. He progressed until eventually becoming Head of Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics. The code he developed for fatigue prediction is still used by Airbus today.
Four years later he was appointed Assistant Chief Aerodynamicist, and then Director of Future Programmes. It was while in this latter role that his determination and enthusiasm led to the development of the A380, the world’s largest civil aircraft.
Another promotion to Engineering Director ensued which led to his current position as Managing Director of Airbus. Iain is married with four children.
Phyllida Lloyd, Stage Director, will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Letters at the 2.30 pm ceremony.
Born in Nempnett Thrubwell, a few miles south of Bristol, Phyllida studied at Birmingham University, graduating with a degree in Drama and English. After graduating she began directing at the London Fringe Theatre and was awarded a bursary under the Arts Council Trainee Directors scheme, which enabled her to begin an apprenticeship in regional theatres in Worcester and Ipswich.
In 1988 she joined Bristol Old Vic as its Associate Director, displaying her exceptional artistic qualities. Throughout the 1990s Phyllida enhanced her reputation with a series of productions for the country’s leading theatres and companies, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Royal Court and the Almeida.
In 1991, expanding the scope of her work, she directed her first opera Chabrier’s L’Etoile. She followed this with successful productions of Benjamin Britten’s Albert Herring and Gloriana. Then a film of Gloriana, for which she won an International Emmy Award. She also went on to direct the Ring Cycle in the English National Opera season.
One of her greatest achievements was directing Mamma Mia!, the musical based around the songs of the Swedish pop group, Abba. A phenomenal global success, the musical has been watched by millions of people and by the end of the year will have been performed in 12 languages.