Stephen Remington

Areas of Interest

Arts

Honorary Award

Honorary Doctor of Arts

Biography

Stephen Remington is a former arts impresario and member of the prestigious Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. In 1994 he was appointed as Chief Executive at the Action for Blind People charity, aimed at enhancing the practical help offered to people going through the life-changing trauma of sight-loss.

In 2000, in recognition of his outstanding work, Stephen was presented with the Charity Times' Charity Chief Executive of the Year Award. From 2002 to 2008 he also acted as Chair of Vision 2020 UK, an organisation that facilitates greater collaboration between charities and service providers working with visually impaired people.

Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Stephen Remington for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa.

Stephen Remington is a former arts impresario, charity executive, and member of the prestigious Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

After graduating from Trinity College, Dublin, Stephen pursued a career in theatre management. He became Theatre Manager of Nottingham Playhouse, Director at the Harlow Playhouse, and in 1979 began a 14 year tenure as Chief Executive of the world-renowned Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.

It was during his time at Sadler's Wells that he won great acclaim for promoting some truly ground-breaking performances, and many of the companies he brought to the UK went on to achieve great success. In 1991 his work in international arts exchange earned him the French honour of Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, a rare and prestigious title awarded in recognition of significant contribution to furthering the arts in France and throughout the world. Throughout Stephen's time at Sadler's Wells, the struggle for funding proved an ever-present challenge, and this was perhaps the perfect grounding for Stephen's next career move.

In 1994 Stephen began the second 'act' of his career - as Chief Executive at the charity Action for Blind People. In his new role, Stephen implemented a steady programme of change, strengthening and refining the organisation's strategic planning, financial controls, quality management, and core management competencies. This was all with the overarching aim of enhancing the practical help offered to people going through the life-changing trauma of sight-loss.

In 2000, in recognition of his outstanding work, Stephen was presented with the Charity Times' Charity Chief Executive of the Year Award. From 2002 to 2008, he also acted as Chair of Vision 2020 UK, an organisation that facilitates greater collaboration between charities and service providers working with visually impaired people.

During his time at Action for Blind People, Stephen transformed the charity, presiding over a new partnership arrangement with the RNIB - a collaboration that has allowed Action for Blind People to retain its own brand, whilst enhancing efficiency and eliminating inter-charity competition.

For 20 years, Stephen has worked tirelessly to help to improve the services offered to visually impaired people. By recognising his achievements, we have the opportunity to build closer links between our Vision and Eye Research Unit and the visually impaired community.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Stephen Remington for the award of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa."