2011 Honorary Awards

Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE – Chief Executive of MITIE and Kingston University alumnus
Honorary Doctor of Letters (Hon D Litt)

Kingston Economics graduate Ruby McGregor-Smith was the first Asian female chief executive officer of a FTSE-250 company when she became CEO of MITIE in 2007. She joined the company in 2002. MITIE manages facilities for the likes of Rolls Royce, Vodafone and the Royal Opera House and employs more than 60,000 people. It is responsible for cleaning Hampton Court Palace, The Tower of London and the Scottish Parliament, is involved in the construction of the basketball stadium for the London Olympics and has been advising the Metropolitan Police, the London Fire Brigade and Primark on reducing their carbon footprints.

Ms McGregor-Smith was awarded the CBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours for her services to business and diversity in business. She is also chair of the Race for Opportunity Board.