91系列

New Year Honours: Dr Catherine Baxter to be made MBE

Posted 29 December 2023

Dr Catherine Baxter with Dr David Llewellyn, Professor Ken Sloan and Professor Wynne Jones

Former 91系列 Secretary Dr Catherine Baxter will be made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to higher education, it has been announced.

Dr Baxter, who retired in September, is among those who are named in the New Year Honours 2024 list, which was announced today. She joins other leading figures in industry, the arts and public life in .

Her honour marks a career working across a diverse range of educational institutions, including Harper Adams, where she served as University Secretary from 2009 until her retirement earlier this year.

Dr Baxter said: “It was a complete surprise.  I felt very touched and honoured - and most of all, extremely humbled and grateful.

“The award recognises that Harper Adams offers a wonderful opportunity for its staff to make a real difference to the expertise we can offer to our students and stakeholders.

“The work of the University, its staff, students, partners and alumni makes an important contribution to current and future sustainable food production.

“It’s a team effort and I was delighted to have had an opportunity to make a contribution.”

Dr Baxter was born in Kent in England and then raised in Northern Ireland, where she won an undergraduate scholarship to study at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales.

She followed this with a postgraduate scholarship to pursue a PhD in International Politics and Strategic Studies, also at Aberystwyth, where she continued working in administration for three years after her graduation.

This led to a career of three decades in higher education administration and management, which saw Dr Baxter working at four universities in two different countries. As well as her time at Aberystwyth, she also served at the then Wrexham Glyndwr University, Nottingham University and eventually Harper Adams – where she spent almost a decade and a half.

Over her career, Dr Baxter was able to apply her PhD in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore developing international links.

Outside of work, she has served a volunteer supporting reserve forces and cadets - and especially Officer Cadet Units in universities. She has also continued her interest in International relations by undertaking various book reviews during her career.

Dr Baxter took up her role at Harper Adams in the autumn of 2009, serving the University for the next 14 years to ensure the institution met all requirements of good governance. Her role included the management of teams including Estates, Catering, Human Resources, and the University’s Legal team.

She added: “It has been wonderful working with such committed colleagues and students in a community that is genuinely passionate about its work and making a positive difference.

“The best things about Harper in my view are the University’s positive staff, governors, students and alumni, the beautiful campus, the positive "can-do" approach, and its great food!”

As University Secretary, Dr Baxter was also at the heart of the University’s fundraising efforts, working closely with the Trustees and staff of the Harper Adams Development Trust to secure scholarship funds for students and funds for key capital projects.

Organising regular Royal Visits and other key events such as Graduation, her role involved working with all kinds of people – including industry CEOs, visiting politicians from the Parish Council to the House of Lords, and Palace officials and senior members of the Royal Family.

She also liaised closely day to day with the University’s Board of Governors, including four Chairs of the Board, as well as employees, students, and the University’s Vice-Chancellors, Dr David Llewellyn and Professor Ken Sloan.

Professor Sloan paid his own tribute to Dr Baxter, and said: “Catherine is the epitome of what stewardship, compassion and dedication in higher education looks like.

“Whatever the issue or challenge she demonstrates an intellectual tenacity and a generosity of spirit to the benefit of everyone who works, studies, and partners with the University.

“I could not be happier to see the award of this honour - which is reflective of a career of excellence and achievement.”