A leading community champion, business leader and former nurse is to be presented with a top university honour.
Beverly Lindsay OBE,OD, VLL, will be given an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University next month in recognition of her longstanding work which has spanned nursing, midwifery and has seen her found Diamond Travel where she remains CEO 30 years on.
The accolade will also recognise her contribution to communities across Birmingham where she Chairs the Association of Jamaican Nationals, is a member of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and is Chair of the Trust at Handsworth Wood Girls Academy.
Lindsay was born in St Thomas Jamaica before moving to Birmingham as a teenager to complete her education. She started her career in nursing and midwifery, then as a Senior Community Worker in Handsworth before establishing the independent travel Agents, Diamond Travel, in 1987.
The award will be presented to Lindsay on Thursday July 27 in a ceremony alongside students graduating from the University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences.
Beverly Lindsay said: “I received the news of the Honorary Degree with equal measure of humility and gratitude, coming from a background in nursing and to be associated with an institution that is a leader in Health Education makes this honour extra special.
“Although this Honorary Doctorate has been bestowed upon me, I accept it on behalf of my family, the numerous members of the community and the various organisations I have been called upon to serve over the years. It is a collective accolade and Beverly Lindsay just happens to be the recipient.”
In 2011 she was given an OBE in the Queen’s Honours and appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands in 2013 and will assume the role of Vice Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands on 1 July 2017.
She has been a mentor, champion and supporter of the African-Caribbean community throughout the UK and in 2008 was awarded the Order of Distinction (OD) by the Jamaican Government.
In 1997 she became a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and in 2009 was given the highest award by the Rotary Foundation in recognition of her contribution to the organisation, before going on to serve as President in 2012/13.
