News
Grayling CEO awarded honorary degree
Posted 16.11.2011
Global Chief Executive Officer of Grayling, Michael Murphy was today awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration by Leeds Metropolitan University as part of its International Graduation celebrations.
Grayling is a leading global Public Relations consultancy with over 1,000 staff based in 70 offices across 40 countries worldwide. Nine of Grayling’s offices are in the UK and Ireland, including one in Leeds.
With a career spanning over 30 years, Michael has considerable experience in handling global PR assignments in most parts of the world as well as managing PR businesses. His specialist expertise includes corporate and business communications, as well as issues and crisis management. Michael has chaired a UK Government Department of Trade and Industry study into the future of the PR industry which led to the CIPR receiving chartered status, an organisation of which he is a Fellow. He was a Director of Think London and a Trustee of the charity Action on Addiction for a number of years.
Since starting his professional life in Scotland, where he conducted a management buy-out of the company he then ran, Michael has led many mergers and acquisitions and has been responsible for integrating a range of companies.
Barbara Colledge, Dean of the Faculty of Business & Law, said: “As Chief Executive of one of the world’s leading PR consultancies, and as one of the most highly respected leaders of the public relations profession globally, Michael is an inspiration to the graduates of today. Grayling has been a firm supporter of Leeds Metropolitan University for many years and his company employs a number of our graduates, two of whom have risen to director level. His impressive 30-year career has taken him around the world, while his voluntary work outside of the office is equally significant. It is our pleasure to award Michael an honorary degree in Business Administration.”
Michael added: “I am delighted to have been invited to receive this accolade from a university that is so highly regarded by the PR industry. Grayling is both a local, national and international supporter of Leeds Metropolitan University and our Leeds office has been sponsoring a module on the final year of the Public Relations course for 16 years. I am confident that Grayling’s relationship with the University will continue and grow for many years to come.”
International Graduation took place on Wednesday 16 November 2011 - at the University’s Headingley Campus.
