Worshipful Company of Butchers' Past Master to receive Honorary Degree

Posted 5 June 2023

Her commitment to the meat sector and to education will see the most recent Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers conferred an Honorary Degree from Harper Adams University. 

The announcement of the conferment upon Past Master Margaret Boanas was made by Harper Adams University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan at the Court and Company of the Worshipful Company at Butchers’ Hall in London on Friday, June 2. 

It was the first of a series of announcements of those who will receive the honour in 2023, with Honorary Degrees to be awarded over the next year. 

Margaret has worked in the meat industry since 1974, and was the third woman to become Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers – with Harper Adams University Chancellor, Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, and Patricia Dart preceding her. 

She is Chairman of the International Meat Association, a former Vice President of the European Meat trade Association with responsibility for International Trade, and a member of the new Government Food and Drink Export Council, which was set up earlier this year by the Department of International Trade (DIT) and DEFRA. 

Alongside her roles in industry, the Honorary award also recognises her commitment to the provision of education, training and skills across the industry – including at Harper Adams itself. 

Employees of Harper Adams University have been greatly encouraged in their work by  Margaret and other members of the Worshipful Company.  

The support offered by Margaret and the Worshipful Company has been described as ‘invaluable’ by Harper Adams lecturers, with five Masters of Research (MRes) posts currently funded at the University through initiatives which began during her tenure as Master. 

Meanwhile undergraduate students at the University can access funding through the Worshipful Company to fund final year Honours Research Projects (HRP) covering the meat sector to enable work to be carried out which might otherwise prove too costly. 

Speaking after making the announcement, Professor Sloan said: “It was wonderful to be able to announce our intention to confer this award, which is being made in recognition of Margaret’s contribution to the development of the meat industry, both in the UK and internationally - and in particular her commitment to providing educational support for people seeking to develop and enhance their careers within the industry. 

“As a University, Harper Adams aims to deliver education and research which is not only excellent, but which has impact in the real world. 

“During her tenure as Master, Margaret gave considerable encouragement and support for research at Harper Adams – providing a fantastic base from which both Harper Adams, and the Worshipful Company, can drive the industry forward together.”

Andrew Parker, current Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, said: “We are delighted that Margaret has received this distinguished award from Harper Adams University.

“We are keen that relations between the WCB and Harper will grow from strength to strength.”

And speaking after the presentation, Margaret Boanas added: “‘I am deeply honoured to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Harper Adams University. It came as a complete surprise!

“I have such respect for the achievements of Harper and the enormous contribution it is making to our industry, as well as to education and research in the land-based sector in general. My great thanks to Ken Sloan as Vice-Chancellor, and others who were involved in deciding to honour me in this way.”