Honorary Graduates 2024: Mary Bowerman

The co-founder of the West Sussex-based Bowerman Charitable Trust, Mary Bowerman, has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts degree by the University of Chichester. Mary has been recognised for her notable contribution to the arts in the local area. The Bowerman Charitable Trust, which Mary co-founded in 1984 with her late husband, David, aims to promote classical music and art by supporting young artists. In 1999 Mary and David built a state-of-the-art venue in the grounds of their home at Champs Hill near Pulborough, and the 160-seat venue is used for world-class classical music concerts and public exhibitions of the charity’s portfolio of fine art (currently one art exhibition and approximately 6-10 music concerts per term).

In 2010, the Trust set up a record label called Champs Hill Records which has helped launch the careers of hundreds of artists. Mary’s mentorship of young musicians is legendary and life-long. Mary quietly combines vision and generosity to make a real difference to the arts in West Sussex, the UK and worldwide.

On receiving the award Mary Bowerman said: “I feel very humbled and delighted to receive this award on behalf of the Bowerman Charitable Trust. It was a complete surprise to hear that I would be given such an honour. When we started the Charitable Trust 25 years ago in our own back garden, we couldn’t have known where it would take us. We have a fabulous venue with wonderful acoustics which has welcomed performers from around the world. We have also helped many young musicians and given them a platform through Champs Hill recordings.”