Tour de France stage winner and cycling legend Mark Cavendish will join more than 2,900 students from the University of Chester to celebrate their academic achievements over four days of graduation this week.

The sporting great - who organised the first Rise Above Sportive event in Chester in August - will be among those receiving honorary degrees at this week’s ceremonies.

The graduands will enjoy a special day to remember and join Chester’s numerous alumni when they graduate across 11 ceremonies at Chester Cathedral from Tuesday, November 3 to Friday, November 6.

The graduates-to-be will be congratulated by the university’s chancellor, the Duke of Westminster, who will be the presiding officer at the ceremonies held on Thursday and Friday mornings.

Professor Tim Wheeler, the university’s vice-chancellor will act in that capacity for the remainder.

They will be joined by a group of eminent individuals who will each be awarded an honorary degree for outstanding achievements in their chosen field.

Prof Wheeler said: “Each graduation ceremony represents all the hard work and dedication and all that our graduates have achieved. We congratulate them and wish them all good luck in their careers as they go forward into their futures.

“It is always a proud moment to see our latest graduates gather with family and friends to celebrate this special occasion and we believe it is one of the most memorable of their lives.

“We are also delighted to welcome 11 outstanding individuals who have given so much to the local community and society as a whole. They thoroughly deserve their honorary degrees after all they have achieved and we are proud to have them join us on these special occasions.”

The celebrated names are:

Tuesday, November 3

Mike Potter CBE
Mike Potter CBE

Mike Potter CBE will receive a Doctor of Science in recognition of his roles as principal for both Wirral Metropolitan College and Guildford College.

John Lea
John Lea

John Lea DL, chairman and managing director of the South Cheshire-based Morning Foods Limited Group of Companies, will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his outstanding contribution to business in the county and in particular recognition of his role of High Sheriff of Cheshire

Nicola Horlick
Nicola Horlick

Nicola Horlick, CEO of Money&Co and former Chester resident, will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of her outstanding contribution to business and entrepreneurship in this country.

Wednesday, November 4

David Parr
David Parr

David Parr will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of his outstanding contribution to local government and in particular recognition of his role as chief executive for Halton Borough Council

Sir Philip Craven MBE
Sir Philip Craven MBE

Sir Philip Craven MBE and Crewe resident will receive a Doctor of Letters in recognition of his outstanding contribution to and accomplishments in the field of Paralympic sport particularly regarding his presiding over the International Paralympic Committee

Diana Skilbeck MBE
Diana Skilbeck MBE

Diana Skilbeck MBE will receive a Master of Arts for her outstanding contribution to education in the country, particularly in her role as president of the Boat Museum Society of Ellesmere Port.

Thursday, November 5

Mark Cavendish MBE
Mark Cavendish MBE

Mark Cavendish MBE will receive a Doctor of Science in recognition of his outstanding contribution to and accomplishments in the field of professional road and track cycling including winning the Tour de France

David Barlow
David Barlow

David Barlow will receive a Master of Arts in recognition of his outstanding contribution to local business in the electrical sector with Barlow’s Electrical in Malpas.

Friday, November 6

Clare Hayward
Clare Hayward

Clare Hayward DL, who has a number of senior leadership positions in the Cheshire and Warrington community, will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of her outstanding contribution to business and entrepreneurship in this country

Finbarr Dowling
Finbarr Dowling

Finbarr Dowling, who lives in Nantwich, will receive a Doctor of Engineering in recognition for his outstanding contribution to engineering and electronics, including his position in Siemens, Congleton

Ruth Lea CBE
Ruth Lea CBE

Ruth Lea CBE, independent Non-Executive Director of the Arbuthnot Banking Group PLC, will receive a Doctor of Business Administration in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of economics, both in the UK and internationally.