UCLan bestows honorary titles on business leaders

By Tim Aldred

13 Apr 2023

Melissa Conlon

The University of Central Lancashire has granted special honorary awards to two influential figures from the county's business community.

Kam Kothia, of eBusiness UK, Star Academies and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, and Melissa Conlon, commercial director at AMRC North West, will take up honorary professorships at the prestigious institutions.

Both have existing relationships with the university, working across a variety of cyber, engineering and additive manufacturing related projects involving both staff and students.

Melissa has a history of working in the information technology and Advanced Manufacturing sector. In addition to national and international roles for GE and BNP Paribas, some of her roles have been based in Lancashire, including spells at UCLan’s Preston Campus, Blackburn College, commercial director of a local digital agency and now in her current role at AMRC’s new multi-million-pound base in Samlesbury.

She currently plays a part in the National Cyber Force project and is using her position to include the university within the work being undertaken at the AMRC, located at Samlesbury.

Melissa is working closely with academics within the engineering and computing faculties to create and enhance shared projects, develop new programmes and look at the possibility for international bidding opportunities.

In addition, Melissa has been working to develop academic partnerships within the area of additive manufacturing, she is heavily involved with offering student placements and is looking at ways to embed UCLan in her work with the Darwen Town Deal.

She said: “It is an honour and great privilege to receive this award and I am committed to supporting both staff and students. Over the last few years, I have been fortunate enough to see the outstanding work carried out by UCLan and how it has had a transformational impact on the region."

Kam Kothia

Kam, chief executive of Blackburn-based digital marketing agency eBusiness UK and chair of the Star Academies Trust, has been working with UCLan’s Professor StJohn Crean, pro vice-chancellor (research and enterprise) to maximise opportunities for UCLan to contribute to regional economic prosperity strategies.

He is discussing future projects with UCLan’s drone research team and advising UCLan staff on the needs of businesses for UCLan’s digital graduates.

The board director and digital sector lead for the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has invited UCLan colleagues to support and contribute to the development of the digital sector strategy for Lancashire.

He has also been working with Professor StJohn Crean and other UCLan colleagues on the National Cyber Force People and Skills working group, and the National Cyber Force Industrial Collaboration group

He said: "I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this prestigious award from the University of Central Lancashire. As an engineering graduate, it is truly humbling to be given the opportunity to support the School of Engineering's innovation and enterprise agenda.  I am excited to share my knowledge and expertise with the students and faculty at the University.

“UCLan is a dynamic and entrepreneurial university with a vitally important role to play in the future prosperity of the region; and with its specific strengths in engineering coupled with its state-of-the-art Engineering Innovation Centre, I look forward to collaborating with the University to inspire the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in the field."

The honorary professor roles are initially bestowed for three years. 

Professor Crean said: “I’m delighted we can recognise Melissa and Kam with these highly prestigious honorary professorships because they are both so invested in building links between ourselves and many areas of innovation within the region.

"I have the great pleasure of working with them both on many research and enterprise initiatives and they are fantastic business advocates who bring a wealth of experience to a variety of student and staff projects.

"They are very well respected, not only within Lancashire’s business community but now on a national level with their strong links to the development of the National Cyber Force.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders Sub36 event

Call to recognise the ‘Now Generation’ of Lancashire leaders

15 Jul 2025

2

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos Maya Ellis MP photo

Maya Ellis MP hails A582 upgrade funding as major step forward in tackling transport chaos

15 Jul 2025

3

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth James Austin, Alistair Bradley and Michael Collum

TSS announce leadership appointments to drive continued growth

15 Jul 2025

4

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026 Red Rose Awards 2025

Date revealed for opening of entries for Red Rose Awards 2026

14 Jul 2025

5

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession Northcotes winning awards

Northcote celebrates marketing award for the 25th anniversary of Culinary Festival Obsession

14 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

BNI presents Lancashire Speed Networking

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin