Honorary graduates

Paul Walsh2014

Paul Walsh – Expert in the management of multinational business 

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration (HonDBA) in recognition of his significant contribution to business and British industry.

Paul Walsh is among the leading British management figures of his generation. He has overseen global trading, mergers, sales and expansion with many famous drinks brands, from Guinness to Moët & Chandon.  

He joined the brewing division of Grand Metropolitan in 1982 and became finance director within four years. He was chief executive officer of a food division from 1992 and joined the GrandMet board in 1995. After the company merged with Guinness in 1997 to form Diageo, he was CEO 2000-13 and continues as adviser to its chairman and chief executive.  

In 2014 he became chairman of Compass and also of Avanti Communications plc. He is a food and drink industries ambassador for the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and a visitor and speaker at Nottingham Business School.