Voluntary sector champion awarded honorary doctorate

25th November 2013

A world-renowned champion of the voluntary sector whose work has strengthened the role of charities within the UK, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University today.

 Kevin Curley CBE has dedicated his career to working in the charitable sector at local, national and international levels and today he was honoured for his work in front of hundreds of business students from the University at a graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall. From 2003 until his retirement last year, he was Chief Executive of the Sheffield-based National Association of Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) which exists to support over 160,000 UK charities and community groups. Awarded with a CBE in the 2012 Queen's Birthday Honours List for his services to the sector, Kevin launched his career in the industry after hearing of the death of a homeless man in a doorway in York on a cold, November night. It prompted him to become involved in a project which led to the establishment of a night shelter before joining a group formed to welcome refugees who had been expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin. On receiving his doctorate, Kevin said: "I am a very fortunate man. At the age of 62 I can say I have always enjoyed my working life. The voluntary sector both in this country and overseas, has given me a satisfying career and I am pleased to see work in the British voluntary sector is being recognised in this way by the University. "It's been very flattering to be receiving this award today. When I look at some of the people that have been awarded honorary doctorates in the past and indeed this year, I am honoured to be in the list with those people. There's now a much greater understanding of the sector amongst politicians and civil servants and I think Sheffield is well served because it has a marvellous organisation called Voluntary Action Sheffield which is here to support local charity and community groups. The city also has a council and an NHS that both believe in supporting the voluntary sector and I hope over the next few years they'll be able to sustain the financial support they have been putting in over the last decade." His international work took him to Tanzania in 1988 as Programme Director for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) where he ran the volunteer programme for four years before moving to Vietnam to continue in his role. Through his role at NAVCA, Kevin campaigned for Government recognition of the charity sector, improvements in charity law, and for charities working in their local communities to have a greater role in public services. He was also a member of the Treasury Independent Challenge group for the 2010 spending review, and has been a member of both the Treasury Third Sector review group and the Cabinet Office Public Services Action Plan steering group. Nominating Kevin for his honorary doctorate, Professor Gareth Morgan, head of Sheffield Hallam's Centre for Voluntary Sector Research, said: "Kevin Curley has played a huge role in developing the policies of the voluntary sector in the UK. We have worked with him on several research projects when he was CEO of NAVCA and his incisive questions and his challenges to voluntary sector leaders have always been powerful and persuasive." For press information: contact Sarah Duce in the Sheffield Hallam University press office on 0114 225 4025 or email s.duce@shu.ac.uk

You might also be interested in

Business Key To Government Spending Plans

Tue 11th February 2025

The BCC is urging Government to help firms grow as it considers its future spending plans.

South Yorkshire Businesses Asked To Share Their Views On The Planning System

Mon 10th February 2025

Businesses across South Yorkshire are being asked to share their experiences with the local planning systems

Rate Cut Eases Some Pressure Points

Fri 7th February 2025

David Bharier, Head of Research at the British Chambers of Commerce reacts to the latest interest rate decision

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry holds 2025 AGM

Fri 7th February 2025

Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) hosted its 167th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today, welcoming members for an afternoon of connection, celebration and insight.