Chris Blythe OBE has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Wolverhampton, receiving his doctorate at a ceremony in September. The CIOB’s chief executive is now an Honorary Doctor of Professional Practice.
The University awards honorary degrees to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.
After becoming a management accountant, Chris worked in a number of financial roles. In 1991 he joined the North & Mid Cheshire Training and Enterprise Council, becoming chief executive in 1994. For more than 25 years he has been involved in vocational education and training, together with business development.
Chris has been the CIOB’s chief executive since January 2000. In the Queen’s 2017 New Year’s Honours list, he received an OBE for services to the construction industry and government.
In his honorary degree acceptance speech, Chris chose the theme of seizing opportunities. “Take the opportunities as they come along; have belief in yourself,” he said. “You can do anything you want to but above all be kind as you do it.”
