University honours Coleman for community commitment

9:54am Monday 30th June 2008

Comments (8)   Have your say »

Middlesex University has awarded an honorary doctorate to Councillor Brian Coleman for his 'outstanding' commitment to the community.

Mr Coleman, London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden and chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, will pick up his new qualification at a ceremony on July 8.

A Middlesex University spokesman said: "An outspoken campaigner for his constituents, Brian has wide-ranging experience within London politics, which has ensured he is a well respected figure with a high media profile.

"He campaigns tirelessly on issues such as transport, planning, health and policing - issues that affect all Londoners.

"He deals with a heavy caseload on behalf of his constituents, resolving their problems with commitment and tenacity."

Mr Coleman, who four years ago referred to Middlesex as a "crap university" which has too few British students, said he was "delighted" to receive the doctorate.

He added: "It is an honour to have been recognised for my work in London and in particular for the people of Barnet and Camden, who in May returned me to City Hall as their assembly member with a much increased majority.

"I will continue to work for the betterment of London through all of the organisations with which I am involved."

Mr Coleman's experience of London government includes his chairmanship of the North London Waste Authority and of the London Assembly's Elections Review Committee.

He is a governor of Queen Elizabeth's School, in Queen's Road, Barnet, and The Ravenscroft School, in Barnet Lane, Totteridge, a committee member of the Friends of Finchley Memorial Hospital, a trustee of the Finchley Charities, which provides homes for more than 300 elderly residents, and is a member of Conservative Friends of Israel.

Mr Coleman was also the first Conservative chairman of the London Assembly between 2004 and 2005.

He has been a Barnet councillor for Totteridge since 1998 and is currently cabinet member for community engagement and safety.

Middlesex University awards honorary doctorates to recognise people who are making an outstanding contribution to their profession, to their community or directly to the university.

Members of Middlesex are invited to nominate candidates and the nominees are considered by the academic board, who decide upon a shortlist of candidates.