Honorary degree 'dream come true' for conservationist

A man who set up a wildlife conservation charity has said being given an honorary degree is the "highlight" of his year.

Tullis Matson is among a cohort of seven people to be given the award by Shropshire's Harper Adams University as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations.

Comedian Ed Byrne and The Archers actress Felicity Finch are part of the group receiving their degrees this month.

Matson said he was particularly thrilled with the award marking his achievements as he is "very dyslexic" and "left school with no qualifications".

Matson, who is from Whitchurch, runs Nature's SAFE, a charity that has been freezing cells from some of the world's most endangered animals.

He also founded and leads Stallion Artificial Insemination Services, a world-leading company that specialises in cryopreservation technology.

"The journey through my education was really tough," he said.

"So now to get this is quite incredible, I'm absolutely blown away."

Matson's work in conservation sees cells from 200 endangered species, ranging from African elephants to Scotland's wildcats, being frozen in liquid nitrogen at –196°C to create a cryogenic "time capsule".

Nature's SAFE, described as a "bio bank", has now stored biological samples from 400 species, some of which are critically endangered or extinct in the wild.

The aim is to save animals from extinction by protecting the genetic diversity of species and using technologies such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation to keep healthy animal populations going.

"To be recognised with something you really believe in in the conservation world, using science and technology to try and help [...], it doesn't get any better," Matson said.

"It re-emphasises that the work we're doing is the right thing," he added; "We've worked so hard, everybody has, for years to really push the boundaries of science to make a difference."

Matson left school at 16 years old with "no qualifications," he explained, adding that his dyslexia left him "struggling to read and write".

He added that at school he was told he "was going to be failure" and was afraid he "wouldn't get anywhere."

"So this is fantastic. It really is. It means everything to me."

The graduation ceremony on 16 September will see Matson give a speech to the students graduating alongside him.

"To be able to stand up in front of [them] and try and give them some guidance" is a big deal, he said, adding that the students "are our future".

Farmer and entrepreneur Olly Harrison is receiving an honorary degree for his popular YouTube channel that gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of farming.

Christine Tacon CBE is to receive a fellowship for her work, including her role as a director of the Co-Op Group and as the chair of the BBC Rural Affairs Committee.

Agricultural scientist professor Grant Edwards, who is is the vice-chancellor of Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, a specialist institution in New Zealand, is also receiving a fellowship.

Felicity Finch, who plays former Harper Adams student Ruth Archer on the BBC's The Archers programme, will receive an honorary doctorate. Her character on the Radio Four drama first appeared in 1987.

Comedian, actor and presenter Ed Byrne, who has been on television for three decades, will also receive an honorary doctorate. Byrne studied horticulture at Strathclyde University.

Shropshire business leader John O'Brien MBE rounds out the group of seven, receiving an honour for founding Anthropy. The leadership platform, which holds an annual gathering at the Eden Project, brings together people from across society to consider Britain's role in the world and its future.

In a statement, Harper Adams' vice-chancellor, professor Ken Sloan, said he is "delighted" to see "distinguished people" from Shropshire and specialist industries being recognised.

"The fact that this recognition comes at the start of our 125th birthday year makes them particularly special," he said.

Prof Sloan added that the university is looking forward to "sustaining a close connection" with the the honorary alumni in the years ahead.

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