Professor Richard Mawditt OBE has been recognised for his services to the University and the Higher Education sector with a President’s Award.

A former member of staff, Richard has remained close to the University and has been an active donor, supporter and invaluable source of information on the University’s history and people.

He was awarded an honorary degree in 2008 in recognition of his international influence and reach, but he has also had considerable local impact through roles such as Chair of Bath Rugby, school governor, Trustee of the Holburne Museum, DoE Award Assessor and Avon County Commissioner for Scouts.

Joining the University in 1966 as its first accountant, Richard was the youngest Finance Director at a UK university. He went on to become the University’s Head of Administration before moving into an academic role as Director of the International Centre for Higher Education Management.

He developed the first system to monitor the costs of higher education and set up the UK professional body for university administrators in the 1970s before becoming Founding Chair of its international equivalent.

Numerous assignments for the UN, World Bank and British Council led to him playing a prominent part in re-establishing higher education in South Africa and postwar Bosnia Herzegovina in the 1990s.

He was awarded a UNESCO Chair in Higher Education Management in 1999, was City of London Institute of Management Champion of the Year in 2010. He received an OBE for his services to higher education in 1989.

He set up the University’s DBA in Higher Education Management in 2002, attracting and educating vice-chancellors from around the world. He was described by a former Namibian VC as ‘an inspiring, great teacher of humanity and world citizen whose stature truly transcends the boundaries of the institutions he has passionately served’.

Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, Professor Phil Taylor, said: “As the University moves into its 60th year, it seemed fitting to celebrate all that Richard has done for Bath, who has been associated with the University since its outset.”

Professor Mawditt was presented with his award at his residence near Bath.

President’s Award: Abi Egbokhan

Another recipient, Maths student Abigail Egbokhan, was presented with the President’s Award at her graduation ceremony this week at Bath Abbey for her volunteer work for the first aid charity St John Ambulance.

Qualifying as a Youth Leader on transferring to the St John Ambulance Bath unit when starting at the University, she immediately offered to be the Cadet Unit Lead to enable the unit to reopen.

She has been instrumental in creating a sustainable offering for young people in Bath, as well as being involved with teaching and assessing at Cadet Leadership courses for the whole of Bristol, Avon and Somerset (BAS)

Abi was awarded a St John Ambulance District Managers Commendation in 2024 for her role in opening and leading the Cadet Unit.

Ruth Foreman, Pro Chancellor of the University who nominated Abi, said: “Abi is an exemplar of how students, through their volunteering, contribute to their local community.

“This Award highlights the service that students can offer to their communities and the positive legacy that leaves.”