WES Chair awarded honorary degree for services to equality in business

Professor Lynne Cadenhead, Chair of Women's Enterprise Scotland, has been awarded honorary Degree of Doctor by the Open University Scotland.

Lynne has run a series of technologically driven companies across different sectors and has made an exceptional contribution to business and economic development in Scotland, having served on more than thirty boards across the public and private sector. Lynne has a particular interest in promoting gender equality in business, as the chair of Women’s Enterprise Scotland, she champions women-owned and women-led businesses.

Lynne was awarded her Honorary Doctorate from the Open University for services to equality in business.

Lynne commented:

“I am deeply honoured to have been nominated for this honorary degree of Doctor of The Open University. It has been a privilege throughout my career to be able to make a contribution to women in business and enterprise, in particular within STEM roles and I am passionate about paying forward what others have shared with me over the years.

If we want an innovative, thriving and socially just economy, we must have gender equality in enterprise. And just as The Open University is committed to supporting people to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential, so I have been fortunate enough to be able to share what I have learned during my career to help others get to where they want to be.”

Lynne joined over 600 students at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in a ceremony where 49% of the students were the first in their family to study at a higher education level.

Susan Stewart, Director of the OU in Scotland, added:

“The OU welcomes students of all ages and backgrounds. Many have been on an incredible journey to get to where they are today, often with many challenges. We’re all very proud of them.

These wonderful graduates join over 200,000 Scots, who’ve studied with the OU since our founding and it’s a pleasure to be able to welcome them, and our inspiring honorary graduates, to the OU family.”

Congratulations to Lynne from everyone at Women's Enterprise Scotland.