KEITH Attwood, chief executive of the Chelmsford-based global technology company e2v, has been awarded an honorary doctorate in Business Administration by Anglia Ruskin University.

Mr Attwood received the honour during a ceremony held at Anglia Ruskin’s Rivermead campus in Chelmsford, in recognition if his leadership of e2v, his support of UK industry generally through a seven year association with the CBI and his commitment to responsible business practices.

He was cited as an example for students and alumni of how to lead a successful international manufacturing business without leaving community values behind.

Mr Attwood joined e2v (then known as English Electric Valve) in 1998, having previously worked at a senior level within the telecommunications, defence and aerospace sectors.

He led a management buy-out from Marconi plc in 2002 and subsequently floated the company on the London Stock Exchange in 2004. Since this time he has more than doubled the size of the company. He is a former chairman of the CBI East of England Regional Council and is currently chair of the CBI Education and Skills Committee.

There have been a number of high profile projects for the company over recent years. In space science, e2v supplied high performance imaging technology for the Hubble space telescope and the Mars Curiosity lander. The company also provides enabling technologies for drug discovery and cancer treatment and is a trusted supplier to Boeing and Airbus.

As part of e2v’s community programme, Keith established the e2v foundation, a fund supporting good causes in Essex.

The company also supports global charities and offers its employees support funding for charitable causes close to their hearts. These have culminated in e2v and its Chelmsford and Lincoln based employees raising over �300,000 from a variety of donations, events and fund raising activities over the last five years.

Mr Attwood said: “I am delighted to accept this honour and do so on behalf of the whole team at e2v who share my view that we have a vital role to play in supporting the economic well-being of the country and having a positive impact on the communities in which we operate.”