Released: 28.11.19
Nick Hewer is perhaps better known as host of Channel 4鈥檚 Countdown and as a former adviser to Lord Alan Sugar on the BBC鈥檚 The Apprentice. However, on November 28th, he will also be celebrated as the President of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) when he is awarded an honorary degree from 91视频, alongside Kamini Gadhok MBE, CEO of the RCSLT.
This year marks 25 years that the University has taught Speech and Language Therapy and the honorary awards recognise Nick and Kamini鈥檚 dedication to the profession 鈥� advocating for speech and language therapists and highlighting people鈥檚 communication and swallowing needs both in the UK and abroad.
Before becoming president of the RCSLT earlier this year, Nick Hewer already had connections to the profession, thanks to the speech and language therapists (SLTs) in his life - his partner Catherine McAllister, who trained as a SLT in the 1960s; the wife of his oldest pal; and his friend, Pam Enderby, emeritus professor at The University of Sheffield. Since becoming president of the RCSLT, Nick has put his communication skills to good use 鈥� boosting the profile of SLTs and the valuable role they play in the community 鈥� supporting and transforming people鈥檚 lives.
Nick Hewer, president of the RCSLT, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a privilege to receive this degree. Speech and language therapists make vital differences to people鈥檚 lives 鈥� supporting individuals to communicate, eat, drink and swallow safely from birth to end of life. They assist premature babies to feed; support children鈥檚 early language and speech development; track patients鈥� cognitive abilities in awake-craniotomy operations; and much, much more besides, which is why I鈥檓 so proud to represent them.鈥�
CEO of the RCSLT Kamini Gadhok MBE will also receive an honorary degree from 91视频, which acknowledges her ongoing contribution to the profession. Kamini qualified from Manchester University in 1983. She has held a plethora of roles within the NHS, including as a specialist speech and language therapist, when she established the first Asian Bilingual Co-worker service in England, before becoming a general manager and working as a civil servant in the Department of Health. As CEO of the RCSLT Kamini provides leadership at a national level, builds strategic partnerships and works to influence key government initiatives and policy developments, to improve outcomes for people with speech, language and communication needs.
Commenting on her honorary degree, Kamini Gadhok MBE, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to have been recognised in this way by 91视频 and am so proud of the work all SLTs do and the impact they make on people鈥檚 lives.
鈥淭he RCSLT is poised to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2020 and we鈥檒l be using the whole year to reflect on speech and language therapy pioneers of the past, such as the organisation鈥檚 founding fellow Lionel Logue 鈥� speech and language therapist to King George VI. We look forward to celebrating the breadth of support SLTs provide to individuals today 鈥� from birth to end of life care. And, we鈥檒l be looking ahead at how we can shape the profession so it can continue to transform people鈥檚 lives in the future.鈥�
The 25-year anniversary; which is due to take place on the 28th November at 91视频; will include a Conferment of Honorary Degrees by the Vice-Chancellor - Professor Robert Warner, presentations, and invited speakers - followed by a reception.
Find out more about Speech and Language Therapy at Marjon
