Honorary Doctorate to one of the world’s top businesswomen

One of the world’s top businesswomen was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Bolton in a moving online ceremony.

Shanu S. P. Hinduja was conferred with a Doctorate of Business administration for her outstanding contribution to the global economy in the event, broadcast via a specially arranged webinar that was watched by friends, family and colleagues from 56 different countries around the world. Shanu is a successful female career banker and has dedicated her life to the empowerment of minorities.

She was awarded the honour by the University’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor George E Holmes DL.

Before the ceremony, Shanu, who is Professor of Leadership at the University of Bolton, gave her Inaugural Professorial Address for the University’s Institute of Management, entitled ‘Values-Based Leadership in the Rebuilding of Society’.

During the lecture, she stressed the importance of allowing each individual to ‘shine’ and said that everyone was capable of practising values-based leadership.

She has made it her mission to change the face of banking in the modern world, to increase transparency and to stress the value of robust regulation, as well as championing the role of the under-represented.

She is currently Chair of S. P. Hinduja Banque Privée and Co-Chair of the United Nations Global Accelerator. She is the only woman chairing the board of a Swiss Bank.

Overcome with emotion, Shanu told the audience that she was “humbled” to accept the award.

She thanked her family for their support and said she was “honoured to be joining the University of Bolton family and to pledged to inspire you all to be values-based leaders”.

Baroness Newlove, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University, said: “I was absolutely honoured to listen to Professor Shanu S. P. Hinduja’s inaugural speech.

“We both share the same values of what makes a great leader, which is assisting people to realise their full potential and in doing so inspires their excellence and shows loyalty. Her words were truly from the heart.”

Speaking after the event, Shanu said she had been deeply moved by the kind comments from friends and colleagues who attended.