Simon Hew Dairymple Fanshawe, broadcaster, writer and presently chair of the University of Sussex’s governing council has been awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the Queens New Year’s Honours list for his services to higher education.
Simon studied law at Sussex University in the 70s and rose to public attention initially as a stand up comedian winning the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1989. He also appeared on Ester Rantzen’s consumer TV programme, Thats Life!
He regularly contributes to newspapers, BBC TV and radio programmes on subjects as varied as politics and the arts.
He led Brighton’s campaign to become a city in 2000, was a former chair of the Brighton Festival Fringe and chaired the city’s Economic Partnership till earlier this year. Most significantly he was one of the founder members of Stonewall the LGB equality charity.
He is presently chairman of the University of Sussex’s governing council and is on the board of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Simon said:
“The award is such a great recognition for everything everyone has achieved at Sussex, which is great. Sussex has really rediscovered its fizz in the last six years. Our scores are up in student satisfaction, we’re consistently in the top20 of the overall League Tables and we’re winning great research grants. It’s been a privilege to work with the VC and all the staff to achieve that. On a personal note, it’s also lovely that one of my fellow Stonewall founders, Michael Cashman, is also in the list getting a CBE for services to gay rights”
You must be logged in to post a comment.