Ann Cutcliffe OBE, a key figure in the paraequestrian world, is to receive an honorary degree, Doctor of Science (HonDSc) from the University of Greenwich, on Tuesday, 17 July.

Ann has been vice-chair and a board member of the British Paralympic Association (BPA) since 2001. As manager of the Great Britain team at the Sydney 2000 Games, she won a SportcoachUK award in recognition of her work. Ann was also chief selector for the paraequestrian team at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.

Other appointments include serving as a board member of the charity, Riding for the Disabled, being a member of the International Paralympic paraequestrian committee and a member of the British Dressage paraequestrian committee.

Anne is involved with London 2012’s cultural and international inspiration programmes and was part of the 2012 cultural committee during the bid process for the London Games. She is also a trustee for International Inspiration, an organisation which uses sport to enrich the lives of young people throughout the world. These achievements led to Anne being awarded the OBE for services to paraequestrian sport in the 2011 New Year’s Honours List.

The award of an Honorary Doctorate recognises the contribution Anne has made to paraequestrian sport and is especially appropriate during this Olympic year when the equestrian events are to be staged in Royal Greenwich Park. The university is an official host venue for the Games, providing management facilities to support equestrian, running and shooting events in the park.

Honorary degrees are awarded to individuals of distinction who have made a major contribution to the work of the university, or who have earned prominence for activities associated more widely with education, business, culture, creative work and public service.

Story by Public Relations