Former Lord Lieutenant and ex-Ram honoured by university

A former Lord Lieutenant and a former Derby County legend were among those to recently receive honorary degrees from the University of Derby.

At the university’s graduation ceremonies, which took place last week at Derby Arena, Willie Tucker CVO DL received an Honorary Doctorate, while Darren Moore, who made 90 appearances for the Rams, was made an Honorary Master.

Mr Tucker, a former Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire and Lead Lord Lieutenant in Magistracy matters for England and Wales, was recognised for his dedication and commitment to public service.

During his impressive tenure as Lord Lieutenant, Mr Tucker organised and hosted 44 Royal visits and was patron or president of 26 organisations or fundraising appeals across the county.

Football manager Darren was an integral member of the Rams team promoted to the Premier League back in 2007.

Throughout his 30-year career, he played for several major clubs, playing and managing at all four levels of the professional pyramid.

Darren has represented Jamaica at international level and was the first-ever Jamaican to manage in the Premier League.

Now manager of League One side Port Vale – promoted after finishing second in League Two last season – Darren is an Honorary Patron for Show Racism the Red Card and has performed extensive charity work including walking the Great Wall of China in 2005 and cycling 100 miles in a day for Cure Leukaemia.

He has been recognised by the university for his values, engagement with the community and charity work.

Each year, notable people with a strong connection to the University of Derby, the city, or the county are nominated to receive an Honorary Degree at the institution’s awards ceremonies.

Speaking about the Honorary Degree recipients, Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Derby, said: “Their individual contributions in their respective fields have made a significant difference to their communities.

“Our honorands are an inspiration to our graduating students who are about to embark on the next stage of their journey.”