Focusrite Group are pleased to announce that Phil Dudderidge OBE has been made an Honorary Doctor in a graduation ceremony at Buckinghamshire New University (BNU).
As well as his longstanding and valued support of BNU’s School of Creative and Digital Industries, Phil has enjoyed a distinguished career, initially working as Led Zeppelin’s touring sound engineer in 1970. He set up RSD Systems Ltd in a partnership of three in 1971, building bespoke PA systems with custom-built mixing consoles. This evolved into Soundcraft Electronics Ltd, a company specialising in live and studio mixing consoles, which was sold to Harman International Inc in 1988.
Phil acquired the assets of Focusrite Ltd. in 1989 and rebuilt the business as Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd. Focusrite Plc was formed in 2014 to take the group public on AIM. Phil served as Chief Executive Officer of Focusrite from 1989 until becoming Executive Chairman in 2012, and then Non-executive Chairman of Focusrite Plc in January 2022.
Phil donned the formal graduation cap and gown and received his honorary doctorate onstage at the Wycombe Swan theatre, before delivering a speech to the graduating class in attendance.
On receipt of the award, Phil 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.
“My career has always depended on teamwork. I have been very fortunate to have been able to find outstanding employees and collaborators, locally and around the world, some graduates of this very institution. My experience of international touring with bands early in my career prepared me well for building international distribution and enduring relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs.
“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 BNU 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.
Explaining why Phil was chosen for this special honour, Doctor Russel Stone, Head of School for Creative and Digital Industries at BNU, said “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.”
BNU’s School of Creative and Digital Industries produces a cohort of skilled audio and music graduates each year.
The association with, and opportunities provided by Phil and Focusrite provide BNU students with unique industry experience and networks that would not be available to someone starting out in the industry otherwise.
Based in the University’s Gateway Building at its High Wycombe Campus, the School’s audio and music facilities include state-of-the-art equipment, with Focusrite acting as a lead supplier. Last year, a refit of the School’s Studio 2 involved installing Focusrite Group speakers, keyboards, preamps and Dante interfaces, providing BNU students with the best audio interface on which they can create their music.
Phil has been hailed by his Focusrite colleagues as a ‘true colossus in the audio industry’ and embodying the values of ‘smashing through barriers and unleashing boundless creativity in the world of sound.’
At the start of the year Phil was awarded an OBE for his services to business and the music industry in King Charles III’s New Year Honours list, in recognition of his contribution to the professional audio industry.
