Sir Gary Verity to receive honorary doctorate

Welcome to Yorkshire CEO, Sir Gary Verity, will receive an Honorary Doctorate today.

He will receive the award for services to tourism and economic regeneration in Yorkshire from the University of Huddersfield.

Sir Gary led the winning bid to bring the Grand Départ of the Tour de France to the county in 2014 and was instrumental in the entire process from start to finish.

Yorkshire’s successful hosting of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, which generated £102 million economic benefit, has now been followed up with Yorkshire’s very own international stage race, the Tour de Yorkshire, which enjoyed significant success in its inaugural year.

Sir Gary has been recognised for his contribution to the county he loves including being knighted in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to Tourism and the Tour De France Grand Départ 2014. He has also been named Yorkshire’s Man of the Year in 2014, Yorkshire and Humber IoD Director of the Year 2014 and received Yorkshire and Humber IoD’s Lifetime Achievement award.

Sir Gary has also been presented with honorary doctorates from the University of York and Sheffield Hallam University as well as being given an honorary degree from York St John University alongside Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme.