One of Scotland's business leaders received an honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde at business school graduations.One of Scotland's business leaders received an honorary degree from the University of Strathclyde at business school graduations.
Frank Blin CBE, Executive Chairman Scotland at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), was presented with an honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the University in recognition of more than 30 years of service in accountancy, finance and business.
Mr Blin, Executive Chairman Scotland at PwC, said: "It is a great honour and a delightful surprise to be recognised in this way.
"I value my association with Strathclyde; as a student, alumnus and as a member of the business community. My time at the University has certainly provided a strong foundation to my career. It is particularly pleasing to acknowledge the achievements of the University, becoming one of only a few business schools in the world to boast a triple accreditation. I wish the University ongoing success in producing well-rounded graduates with strong employment prospects, which is vital to Scotland's future economic prosperity."
Mr Blin graduated from Strathclyde with a BA before qualifying as a CA with Coopers & Lybrand in 1977. In 1992, he became a managing partner of the firm, initially in charge of corporate recovery and later in charge of corporate finance assignments.
After Coopers & Lybrand merged with Price Waterhouse to become PwC in 1998, Mr Blin was appointed to PwC's UK management board. Before taking up his current post in 2009, he was head of PwC's mid-tier practices in London and the UK regions, covering more than 30 offices, 10,000 staff and £1 billion in revenues, in addition to the many and varied advisory assignments undertaken for clients.
A past board member of Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Financial Enterprise, CBI Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, Mr Blin was made a CBE for services to the Scottish financial sector in 2002. Previous awards include being named University of Strathclyde's Alumnus of the Year in 1999, 3i Corporate Financier of the Year, and Scottish Accountancy Awards Outstanding Achievement award.
Strathclyde Principal Professor Jim McDonald said: "Frank Blin and our other honorary graduands are greatly accomplished and respected in their respective fields. We are pleased that they are accepting honorary degrees from the University.
"The value of higher education- both in its impact on the economy and its role in shaping and enhancing lives- is vast, particularly in the current challenging economic climate. Our honorary graduands have shown what can be achieved in many walks of life."