THE chief executive of Morrisons says he was "privileged" to be among the names to receive honorary degrees at the University of Bradford.

Dalton Philips was handed a Doctorate of the University in a ceremony at the city campus Great Hall yesterday.

He is one of six individuals from the fields of health, archaeology, biology, retail and engineering being honoured after excelling in their respective fields and of their contribution to local, national and international communities.

Mr Philips has been at the helm of the Bradford-based supermarket chain since March 2010.

His career has seen him work in New Zealand, Brazil and Germany after growing up on a poultry farm in Ireland and attending University College, Dublin.

He is a non-executive director at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Mr Philips said: “It’s a huge honour to receive this Honorary Doctorate today from University of Bradford.

"I feel very privileged.”

Other recipients yesterday were Sir Barrington Windsor Cunliffe, Emeritus Professor of European Archaeology at the University of Oxford.

He received a Doctorate of Science and has previously been the president of the Council for British Archaeology and as Commissioner of English Heritage.

Meanwhile, Ron Lee, director of Powertrain for Jaguar Land Rover, received a Doctorate of Engineering.

Mr Lee was included in this year's Sunday Times Britain's 500 most influential people list.

More honorary degrees will be awarded at the University today.

These include a Doctor of Health to Sir Keith Pearson, chairman of Health Education England since June this year.

Dame Dr Barbara Hakin, national director overseeing operational delivery of healthcare in NHS England, was given a Doctorate of Heath.

This honour follows a distinguished career which started after she qualified in medicine in 1975, leading to a 20-year career as a GP in Bradford, before moving into a series of healthcare positions at an executive level.

Professor Bertil Andersson, world-renowned plant biologist and president of Nanyang Technology University in Singapore, will receive a Doctorate of Science.

University of Bradford's vice-chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor said: "We are proud to honour six individuals who represent some of the very best practice in their chosen fields.

"Their contributions, both within their fields and to society as a whole, make them true inspirations and I hope that their personal drive and accomplishments inspire our graduates to strive for greatness too.

"It is an honour to welcome them as honorary graduates into our University of Bradford family.”