Foxes chairman awarded honorary doctorate

The chairman of Leicester City Football Club, Aiyawatt "Top" Srivaddhanaprabha, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Leicester.

The university said it was making the award in recognition of his successful stewardship of the club, which he assumed the running of in 2018.

His late father, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was granted an honorary degree by the university in 2016.

"Top" Srivaddhanaprabha said he was "truly grateful" to receive the honour at a ceremony at De Montfort Hall on Tuesday.

Mr Aiyawatt praised the university, saying its collaboration with the club on children's health demonstrated "the power of community stakeholders working together for the benefit of future generations".

Prof Nishan Canagarajah, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, said the Srivaddhanaprabha family's impact on the city of Leicester could "not be underestimated".

He added: "Top has embraced the tough task of taking on his father’s stewardship of the Foxes, and his leadership and love for his adopted city is clear to see.

"The Srivaddhanaprabha legacy is safe in Top’s hand, and I am delighted to officially welcome him to the University of Leicester family.”

Under Mr Aiyawatt's chairmanship, the Foxes lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2021.

They also reached their first European semi-final in the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.

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