City son honoured by University of Leicester for public health leadership
(Credit: Redpix)
The University of Leicester has honoured one of the city’s own for his exceptional track record in public health leadership.
Professor Ivan Browne received an Honorary Doctorate of Science during a graduation ceremony, held at De Montfort Hall, in Leicester, today (Friday 19 July).
Professor Brown said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award from the University of Leicester. I grew up on Adderley Road, just next to the University, and my father worked on it as a carpenter, particularly the science laboratories. The University has always been part of the landscape of my life, so for me to now be considered part of this fine institution gives me great joy. My dad would have been ecstatic!”
As Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council, Professor Browne was a key figure in the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership skills, public sector expertise and understanding of the local community were fundamental to the city’s response to the pandemic, not least during the extended ‘Leicester lockdown’ when restrictions were lifted across the rest of England.
Professor Browne’s parents were part of the Windrush generation. His mother was a ward sister at Leicester Royal Infirmary for many years and his father, a carpenter, was part of the construction team that built the University’s iconic Engineering Building. Mr Browne Sr’s lifelong wish was that his son would one day graduate from the university he helped to build.
After taking O-levels at evening classes and A-levels at a local college, Professor Browne studied for a degree at the University of Leeds. A career lasting more than 35 years in various NHS and local authority posts culminated in his appointment as Director of Public Health. In 2023, he stepped down from that post to become Professor of Public Health at De Montfort University.
Professor Browne is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, which awarded him its President’s Medal. Last year he was awarded the Chief Medical Officer’s National Impact Award by the Association of Directors of Public Health. He was elected a deputy lieutenant of Leicestershire in February 2022.
Professor Browne has worked closely with the University of Leicester for many years, and continues to do so as a vital part of the team developing the Civic Universities Partnership between the three Leicestershire universities. Ivan is already an Honorary Graduate of Loughborough University. With the conferral of this Honorary Doctorate, his father’s wish finally comes true.
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Professor Browne’s calm and steady stewardship during the pandemic was a textbook lesson in confident leadership when under pressure. The city owes him a debt of gratitude for his work during such difficult times.
“I am delighted we are able to honour Professor Browne, and in doing so, fulfilling his father’s wishes for his son to graduate from the University of Leicester.”
Professor Ivan Browne received an Honorary Doctorate of Science during a graduation ceremony, held at De Montfort Hall, in Leicester, today (Friday 19 July).
Professor Brown said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this award from the University of Leicester. I grew up on Adderley Road, just next to the University, and my father worked on it as a carpenter, particularly the science laboratories. The University has always been part of the landscape of my life, so for me to now be considered part of this fine institution gives me great joy. My dad would have been ecstatic!”
As Director of Public Health at Leicester City Council, Professor Browne was a key figure in the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His leadership skills, public sector expertise and understanding of the local community were fundamental to the city’s response to the pandemic, not least during the extended ‘Leicester lockdown’ when restrictions were lifted across the rest of England.
Professor Browne’s parents were part of the Windrush generation. His mother was a ward sister at Leicester Royal Infirmary for many years and his father, a carpenter, was part of the construction team that built the University’s iconic Engineering Building. Mr Browne Sr’s lifelong wish was that his son would one day graduate from the university he helped to build.
After taking O-levels at evening classes and A-levels at a local college, Professor Browne studied for a degree at the University of Leeds. A career lasting more than 35 years in various NHS and local authority posts culminated in his appointment as Director of Public Health. In 2023, he stepped down from that post to become Professor of Public Health at De Montfort University.
Professor Browne is a fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, which awarded him its President’s Medal. Last year he was awarded the Chief Medical Officer’s National Impact Award by the Association of Directors of Public Health. He was elected a deputy lieutenant of Leicestershire in February 2022.
Professor Browne has worked closely with the University of Leicester for many years, and continues to do so as a vital part of the team developing the Civic Universities Partnership between the three Leicestershire universities. Ivan is already an Honorary Graduate of Loughborough University. With the conferral of this Honorary Doctorate, his father’s wish finally comes true.
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Professor Browne’s calm and steady stewardship during the pandemic was a textbook lesson in confident leadership when under pressure. The city owes him a debt of gratitude for his work during such difficult times.
“I am delighted we are able to honour Professor Browne, and in doing so, fulfilling his father’s wishes for his son to graduate from the University of Leicester.”