Alumni news

Four members of the University of Sussex community have been recognised by His Majesty King Charles III in his first New Year Honours list, for their outstanding contributions across various different areas of work including finance, literature and arts and culture. 

Norman Keith Skeoch, known as Keith Skeoch, is a former CEO of Standard Life Aberdeen who has received a knighthood for services to the financial sector. 

Sir Keith is Chair of the University of Sussex Business School’s advisory board and is a Sussex alumni, having graduated from the University with a degree in Economics, in 1978. 

Professor Steven McGuire, Dean of the University of Sussex Business School, said: 

“I am delighted to see Keith recognised in this way. Keith has made significant contributions to the financial services sector in the UK. In addition to an excellent corporate career, culminating as the CEO of Standard Life Aberdeen, Keith made major contributions to the development of a more robust regulatory regime through his leadership of the Financial Reporting Council and Government's ring-fencing review.   

“Keith is a valued friend and supporter of the University of Sussex and currently chairs the Advisory Board of the University of Sussex Business School. In that capacity he has offered advice and support on our key strategic initiatives, not least the School's successful efforts to secure accreditation from international bodies such as EFMD [EQUIS's parent] and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and is an advocate for our policy research. In all he does, Keith demonstrates the Sussex values of kindness, integrity, collaboration, inclusion and courage.”   

Professor Kimberley Griffith Reynolds, a former Sussex academic, has been awarded an OBE for services to literature.  

The former Newcastle University academic was also President of the International Research Society for Children's Literature, from 2003 to 2007, and in 2013 received the International Brothers Grimm Award for contributions to Children’s Literature. 

Stephen Ingledew, who graduated from the University of Sussex with a law degree in 1984, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List for services to the UK financial technology sector. He is currently the chairman of FinTech Scotland, which he formed in 2018.

University of Sussex alumni and Brighton University governor John Gill has also been made an MBE for services to the arts, culture and education. 

Mr Gill, who holds a degree from the University of Sussex, is also a member of the joint board of Brighton and Sussex Medical School. In 2015-16 he was a visiting research fellow at Harvard. 

He has 40 years’ experience in major arts organisations in the public sector as director and curator. 

Professor Sasha Roseneil, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sussex, said:  

“I would like to offer my congratulations to these four distinguished Sussex alumni on behalf of the University. The honours are testament to the significant contributions they have each made in their respective fields, and I am very pleased that the University of Sussex played a foundational role in their important work."