Clare de Bathe was awarded an Honorary Master of Public Administration by the University of Chichester, to recognise her outstanding record of civic engagement and her work in creating spaces for communities to thrive.
Clare has spent 25 years working in the voluntary, community and education sectors, and was CEO of the Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) for 13 years. During her time at the helm of CCDT, she oversaw the creation of eight community spaces and eight hectares of parks in the city.
She recently moved on from her leading role at CCDT, where she remains an advisor, to become Interim Director at the Weald & Downland Living Museum, leading on its fundraising strategy.
On being recognised with an honorary degree, she said: “It was something I wasn’t expecting. I’m honoured and proud to bring two out of my three children today, and hopefully it can inspire them.”
On her advice for students graduating, she said: “I have been 25 years in the voluntary and community sector, and it is a wonderful career. You get to impact the future and leave a legacy behind and create positive change. For anyone who is unsure where they want to go next it is a very worthwhile career.
“I’m really thankful and grateful and it’s wonderful for my kids to see where a lot of hard work gets you.”