Attend the investiture ceremony of BNU’s first Chancellor Jay Blades MBE

Buckinghamshire New University will proudly host the investiture of Jay Blades MBE as its inaugural Chancellor from 3:45-5:00pm on Wednesday 1 March 2023. The local community is invited to join in the celebrations at the Wycombe Swan Theatre but tickets are limited so please act quickly to secure your place!

Jay arrived at the University in 2000, a mature student with tremendous promise and an insatiable appetite for knowledge but having received very little schooling. He was diagnosed with dyslexia at BNU and then received the additional support he required to flourish in his undergraduate degree. He has since gone on to achieve great success as a public figure, community champion to award-winning broadcaster and social entrepreneur. As Chancellor, Jay is deeply committed to enriching our University community, supporting our civic engagement work and helping us to create new programmes in furniture design.

Jay is closely associated with High Wycombe. Before his career in television, Jay established the Out of the Dark charity in High Wycombe, to help underprivileged youngsters enhance their life and career prospects. Jay has also supported The Black Fund which invests in equality.

Professor Nick Braisby, Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University, said:

“Jay is a shining example of transformative power of higher education and is an inspiration to our whole University community. High Wycombe remains a very special place for Jay, and we look forward to welcoming members of our local community as they join us in celebrating this important occasion for the University.”

 As well as being invested as the University’s inaugural Chancellor, Jay will also receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University, in recognition of his community work supporting vulnerable disadvantaged groups, and his significant contribution to furniture-making and craft.

All guests must be seated in the Wycombe Swan’s auditorium by 3:45pm and the ceremony will end at 5:00pm.

Registering to attend and further information:

Entry is free and by ticket only which can be obtained by visiting the Wycombe Swan website here. All guests will require their own ticket and all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

For any questions or additional information, please contact Vice.Chancellor.Office@bnu.ac.uk.