A PROMINENT Ludlow businessman has been given the third degree.

Dr Geoffrey Davies, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership for Shropshire, Telford, Wrekin and Herefordshire, has been awarded an honorary science doctorate by Harper Adams University College, one of the UK’s top higher education establishments for agricultural students.

He was awarded the degree in recognition of his prominence in the agricultural engineering industry in the UK and worldwide and his work towards developing the economy in The Marches area.

The Harper Adams governors also wanted to acknowledge his many years of support for the university college and its students and in particular the engineering faculty.

Dr Davies, the founder and CEO of Alamo Group Europe and MD of McConnel of Ludlow, already holds two doctorates in Business Administration, the first from Manchester University and the second an honorary title from Wolverhampton University.

He is also a governor of Walford and North Shropshire College.

He said: “I am particularly pleased to accept the Harper Adams honorary degree because I strongly believe that as a nation we have to equip more young people with engineering design and manufacturing skills so they can help put the UK back on its economic feet. Har per Adams University College has long been at the forefront of meeting this need.”

He was one of only 10 people to receive the Queen’s Award for Enter prise Promotion from the Queen and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace recently.

He has also just been appointed a deputy lieutenant for Shropshire to advise and recommend on Royal visits to the county.

Dr Davies was awarded an OBE in 2004 for services to ag riculture and rural regeneration.