UK - Focusrite Group has announced that Phil Dudderidge OBE has been made an honorary doctor in a graduation ceremony at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU). A longstanding and valued supporter of BNU’s School of Creative and Digital Industries, Dudderidge accepted the accolade at Wycombe Swan theatre, before delivering a speech to the graduating class in attendance.
Dudderidge has enjoyed a distinguished career, having started out as Led Zeppelin’s touring sound engineer in 1970, before setting up RSD Systems in a partnership of three in 1971, building bespoke PA systems with custom-built mixing consoles. This evolved into Soundcraft Electronics which was sold to Harman International in 1988.
He acquired the assets of Focusrite in 1989 and rebuilt the business as Focusrite Audio Engineering. In 2014, Focusrite Plc was formed to take the group public on AIM. Dudderidge served as CEO of the company from 1989 until becoming executive chairman in 2012 and then non-executive chairman of Focusrite Plc in January 2022.
On receipt of the award, he said: “I am delighted to receive an Honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire New University. Focusrite has been involved with the university since the first music studios were built in the old campus and I very much value the relationship we have enjoyed over the years. To have my life’s work recognised by BNU with an honorary doctorate is most gratifying, especially as I didn’t have the privilege of a university education. My thanks to the vice chancellor and faculty for the honour.”
Focusrite is currently working with the music production team at the university to create a Level 5 module for BSc Music Technology. Every year the company also presents its Focusrite Award for Best Audio Production to a BNU music production student.
Doctor Russel Stone, head of School for Creative and Digital Industries at BNU, commented: “BNU is very fortunate to have such a strong relationship with a world leading audio company. Phil is a source of inspiration to our students and an avid supporter of everything we do. As we continue to develop our music production facilities and programmes the school will draw on Phil’s expertise to ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills needed for a successful career in music production.”
