Cardiff Metropolitan University awards top honour to Met Police Commissioner

Cressida Dick CBE QPM, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, has received an Honorary Doctorate from Cardiff Metropolitan University in recognition of the contribution she has made to public life throughout her esteemed career.

Steve Dalton OBE, Managing Director of Sony UK Technology and Dr Eleanor Anne Freeman OBE, have also been named Honorary Fellows by the University.

Cressida Dick has given 35 years of public service, the majority of which she has spent in policing. She was appointed Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service in 2017. The Met is the largest police service in the UK and has specific national responsibilities, most notably in relation to terrorism. The Commissioner, its head, is often thought of as the highest-ranking police officer in the UK. She has also held leadership roles in Thames Valley Police, the National Police College and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Cressida has overseen a wide variety of high-profile and complex policing investigations spanning serious and organised crime, security and protection.

Steve Dalton OBE joined Sony in 1983 at Bridgend and moved to support the start-up of the new TV manufacturing facility at Pencoed in 1992.  By 2003, Steve was the Director of Operational Management covering both sites, responsible for 3000 employees and a turnover in excess of £400 million.

Dr Anne Freeman qualified in medicine at Manchester University and gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians in 1994. As a consultant physician in general medicine, stroke and care of the elderly she worked for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and served as the National Clinical Lead for Stroke for Wales. She currently chairs the Board of Stroke Hub Wales, based at Cardiff Metropolitan University, which aims to develop top class research, innovation and education.

President and Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Met, Professor Cara Aitchison said:

The Honorary Doctorate and Fellows we are awarding this week go to individuals who have made an outstanding impact within their own fields and whose commitment resonates closely with the University’s own values and behaviours.

We are grateful to those honoured this year for their inspirational leadership. They are all true role models for our graduating students who can learn from their example as they embark on the next phase of their lives as graduates of Cardiff Metropolitan University.”