ONE of Northern Ireland's most experienced businessmen has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Ulster at the summer graduations.
Bill McGinnis, chairman of the Dungannon-based McAvoy Group was awarded a Doctor of the University (DUniv) degree in recognition of his contribution to business development and to public life.
He holds an MSc from the University and among the post
s he has held are Chairman of the Learning and Skills Advisory Board of the Department for Employment and Learning; board member of Invest NI; member of the National Employment Panel and the Sector Skills Development Agency. He is a former President of the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Many in Londonderry will recall that he began his business career in export marketing with Sperrin Metal Products, the County Londonderry-based manufacturer of racking, shelving and storage systems.
He represented Sperrin Metal in the Arabian Gulf and subsequently held a number of the most senior posts at the company, including Chairman and Managing Director, before setting up his own business in 2000.
During his period as Managing Director with Sperrin Metal, the company won three Queen's Awards for Export Achievement, the DIT Export Award for Small Businesses and the Netherlands-UK Award for Enterprise.
He was awarded an OBE in 1997 for his services to Northern Ireland industry and a CBE in the 2004 Birthday Honours list. Bill was also honoured at the Chartered Institute of Marketing Awards in October 2005 as Marketeer of the year.
Away from work his interests include rugby, travel and reading.
The full article contains 262 words and appears in Londonderry Sentinel newspaper.
