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The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University and , as such , acts as a figurehead and an ambassador , working with the Vice- Chancellor and other senior officers to promote the University ’ s achievements regionally , nationally , and internationally . One of James ’ first duties was presiding over graduation ceremonies , where he conferred degrees and other academic awards .
As well as being a successful business leader , James is the current Chair of the Prison Reform Trust and actively supports a number of prison charities and groups . His passion and enthusiasm for business , people , and the wider community was recognised in the 2011 Queen ’ s Birthday Honours list , where he was awarded an OBE for ‘ Services to Training and Employment for Disadvantaged People ’.
He was also the driving force in setting up Employment Advisory Boards in prisons , which act as a link between prisons and employers , making sure that offenders use their time in prison to gain the skills and links to job opportunities they need to head straight into stable work upon their release . They have already been established in 40 prisons and will be up and running in all 91 ‘ resettlement ’ prisons in England and Wales by April 2023 . Currently , around 10 % of Timpson ’ s employees are ex-offenders .
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