University News Last updated 04 March 2013
The visionary business leader behind the success of one of the UK’s most iconic brands will receive an honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University in recognition of his outstanding business achievements.
William McGrath is Chief Executive of the AGA Rangemaster Group, one of the leading international premium consumer brand groups, which manufactures and distributes some of the best known and best loved kitchen appliances and interiors furnishings in the world.
Graduating with a history degree and qualifying as an accountant with KPMG in London, William spent the first part of his career working in corporate finance in the City. He moved into industry in 1990 joining the civil engineering group Norwest Holst as Finance Director. He had the same role at Glynwed International plc from 1997 and was appointed Chief Executive in 2001 when it became AGA Rangemaster Group.
William’s time at AGA has seen him invest heavily in research and brand development, which has resulted in the birth of a new generation of innovative products over the last six years. It is with William’s vision that the AGA Rangemaster Group, a business that can trace its roots back to the earliest days of the industrial revolution, earns a secure place in the heart of homes across Europe and Asia. It is William’s focus on the group’s heritage which has seen affection for the brand grow.
Lead on IDEA Birmingham
William has worked closely with Birmingham City University in helping to highlight the region’s design, heritage and innovation capabilities. He is a part of a group of influential business leaders brought together by the University, to help lead on the business think-tank IDEA Birmingham.
His work with the University’s think-tank has seen the launch of the ‘Birmingham Made Me’ campaign, an initiative which has showcased world-beating innovations from the Midlands, such as the Land Rover Defender, the AGA cooker, the Pashley Clubman bicycle and Brooks England saddles together with the ground-breaking new hybrid supercar concept, the Jaguar C-X75. William continues to be an integral member of IDEA Birmingham.
William will be receiving his honorary doctorate at the graduation ceremony at Symphony Hall in Birmingham on Tuesday 5th March.