Penarth-based professor is awarded CBE in Queen's Birthday Honours List (From Penarth Times)

Penarth-based professor is awarded CBE in Queen's Birthday Honours List

4:10pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in News By Robert James Owen

A PENARTH resident has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honour List.

Ian Hargreaves, professor of digital economy at Cardiff University, was rewarded for services to the creative economy and higher education.

Actress Kate Winslet, singer Gary Barlow and Welsh rugby hero Shane Williams were among others recognised in the June list.

Professor Hargreaves said it was ‘quite unexpected’.

“What is really pleasing and also humbling about these honours is that they are awarded to such a wide array of people,” he said.

“On one end of the spectrum you have celebrities and sport stars who have achieved extraordinary things, and at the other it’s people who have worked incredibly hard.

“When you stop and think, it’s your work and your field being compared with some of the others on the list, that makes a real impact.”

Last year the 61-year-old former regional journalist and national newspaper editor carried out an independent review of intellectual property, entitled ‘Digital Opportunity’. Its ten recommendations, to ensure the UK has a framework to best support innovation and promote economic growth in the digital age, have been adopted as the basis of Government policy.

The Clive Place resident has also contributed to the Leveson Inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.

Born in Burnley, Lancashire, he started his career at the Keighley News in 1973-74 after graduating from Cambridge University. He then joined Bradford’s Telegraph and Argus before going on to hold senior editorial and management positions at the Financial Times, the BBC, The Independent and The New Statesman.

He began working for Cardiff University as its director for journalism at the start of the millennium, and maintained a relationship with the school of journalism, media and cultural studies through various other work - including a time spent advising the Welsh Assembly how to fuel the growth of digital and creative industries in Wales - before returning, in his current role.

“It's an award that reflects the growing economic importance of creative activity throughout the UK and specifically in Wales, involving businesses, cultural organisations and individuals,” said the father-of-two.

“The growth of the internet has brought sharp new challenges, but also vast opportunities; academic research and knowledge exchange has an increasingly important role to play."

Professor Hargreaves – who found out about the CBE shortly before his birthday last month – will attend a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in the autumn.