MBE for Development Trust Chairman

Posted 11 January 2016

The chairman of Harper Adams University Development Trust has been awarded an MBE for his services to higher education, governance and fundraising.

Anthony Burgess has also served on the University’s Board of Governors. He joined in November 1978 as co-opted member.  He has served as Chairman of the Finance and General Purpose Committee (1994-1998) and Member and past Chairman of the Audit Committee (1989-1994).  He was Chairman of Governors in the period 1998 to 2003.

More recently, Mr Burgess has led the Development Trust through a successful period of growth. Between 2006 and 2015 the value of scholarships sponsorship secured by the Trust rose from £17,500 to £290,000. 

It has also raised more than £3 million in the same period, towards capital developments on the campus

University Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn said: “We are delighted with the news that Anthony has been awarded the MBE.  He has made an enormous contribution to the work of the University and to its Development Trust.  

“Without his efforts in leading the work of the Trust the University would not have been able to successfully support its students, develop its estate or contribute to local economic development in the way that it has over the last few years. 

“This honour is therefore extremely well deserved in recognising Anthony’s contribution to the University and to Shropshire.”

Mr Burgess received his formal education in Northamptonshire and later qualified as a chartered accountant in London and with the firm travelled extensively for them in Africa. After returning to the United Kingdom in 1966 he went on to be a Managing Director of a family-owned farm equipment distribution company, where he served for 30 years and thereafter remained a non-executive director. 

He is now retired in Shropshire where he has a 70 acre arable and timber growing farm.