Middlesex Medallists are recognition of outstanding community contributions

Six individuals whose work aligns to MDX values recognised as part of Graduation 2023.

As well as the thousands of Middlesex students graduating this week, six individuals will be awarded Middlesex Medals. Launched last year as part of the new Strategy 2031, these special awards recognise outstanding contributions of people in the community whose work aligns to MDX values.

Financial inclusion advocate, educator and renowned speaker Peter Frampton has an infectious passion for financial education, specifically accounting.

Despite failing an accounting module at the University of Cape Town, he went on to qualify as a chartered accountant and used both experiences led him to pursue “a better way” to teach accounting.

Peter joined non-profit Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi), whose mission is to build inclusive societies through technology and innovation.

He then started his own business, creating the Color Accounting Learning System which is used to teach accounting across the world, including MDX students.

Together with MDX Senior Lecturer Toby York, Peter’s company has refined and continued to develop content, techniques and applications of the financial learning system to profoundly impact student learning outcomes.

For Peter, the CEO of Wealthvox, the aim is simple: allow students to learn through “doing accounting” rather than just “learning accounting”, so they reach a deeper and better understanding faster.

He said: “I’m thrilled to be named a medal winner, because it’s a great honour in its own right and because it is specifically recognises something that is profoundly in line with our belief about the technology that we have developed.

“Middlesex’s commitment to inclusive societies deeply matches our own.  Any technology that gets the excluded meaningfully included… that brings down walls, is well worth recognising.”

James Kennedy held a variety of positions during his seven years at MDX, from Chief Financial Officer to interim Vice-Chancellor and finally Deputy CEO.

During that time he was part of teams that delivered some significant projects and work in the UK as well as supporting the Dubai and Mauritius campuses and students.

He receives the award as recognition of the impact he made.

James said: “I feel very honoured to have been awarded a medal.  I loved my time at Middlesex and it was truly an honour to serve the University in that period.  I am very grateful and I will always be a supporter of MDX.

“My advice to graduates is to take the chances that you are offered, and to make the most of them. Gather as broad an experience as you are able, and build on your own strengths.”

British Transport Police Detective Superintendent and Head of Public Protection and Vulnerability Richard Mann is leading work that closely aligns to the MDX strategy and values.

He is leading a project not only to prevent suicides on the railways, but also to coordinate a data monitoring system which will capture information on suspected suicides from all police forces across England and Wales.

The system, which has only been in place a few months, has already got 97 per cent population coverage and will mean being able to record relevant timely information on suspected suicides and share these details with other organisations.

“I feel really very honoured and so fortunate that my career and a major part of my working life, tackling suicide prevention has aligned with the university’s commitment to ‘equity and Improvements in health and well-being’.

“It’s been such a privilege and beneficial personal experience working together on such an important subject and despite the subject matter and complexities it has been a truly stimulating, enjoyable and beneficial collaboration.”

Richard said that professional and expert academic contributions from MDX have “helped a broad range of audiences to better understand really complex phenomena’s and have moved our approaches to look at wider issues, away from the railway infrastructure that effect all parts of society.”

CEO of PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide Ged Flynn has worked closely with MDX in relation to suicide prevention and postvention.

After studying theology and philosophy at Durham, Ged received a first class honours Master of Arts degree in pastoral leadership, which gave him a particular interest in the effects of loss and grief.

He has experience in residential youth work, community services and learning disability services and has always focussed on emotional health and wellbeing. 

Ged represents PAPYRUS on National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Groups across the UK.

“I have had a great working relationship with colleagues at Middlesex in relation to suicide prevention and postvention,” he said.

“This work continues and aims to prevent harm and death relating to suicide.

“My advice to graduates is simple: never forget you have the right to feel safe all the time. Be your best and give yourself lots of compassion when you can’t be.”

Marianne Neville-Wolfe, Chair of Audit and Risk Committee at Middlesex University, is a retired senior civil servant with extensive experience of working in both the public and private sectors.

She has successfully led large organisations and has not been afraid to confront the issues faced by senior women executives over the course of her career.

Marianne says Middlesex has been a major part of her life for the last nine years and her time as Governor has “given me huge respect for the University’s values and its positive impact on society through the achievements of its brilliant and diverse students and staff and its exceptional research.”

“It gives me much pleasure and satisfaction to have my contribution recognised by the award of the University Medal. It is an exceptional honour which I will treasure,” she added.

Trevor Alexander enjoyed a 37-year career at MDX before retiring in early 2023.