M A Alagappan conferred honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University

Mumbai: M A Alagappan executive chairman of the Chennai-based $2.4-billion Murugappa Group, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Birmingham City University this morning.

The university confers these awards of distinction on persons who have achieved eminence in public or professional life. The award was presented by The chancellor of the University, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, at a function held at the Birmingham City's International Convention Centre.

Accepting the award, Alagappan said, ''I am proud to accept this honour, not so much as a personal mark of distinction, but as a recognition of the business group that I am a part of, and have led for some time now.'' He ascribed the success of the century-old Murugappa Group to ''the values and beliefs that have constantly guided us in good times and bad''.

Over the years, Alagappan has led many of the major businesses of the Murugappa Group and was  the driving force behind the group's entry into and growth in the financial services businesses. He has also spearheaded the Group's entry into the plantations business. He has been involved with several industry bodies such as FICCI and SICCI.

Alagappan is also the Honorary Consul of Hungary, South India.