David Lascelles, the eighth Earl of Harewood and the co-founder of the Geraldine Connor Foundation, has received an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University. A film and television producer, David, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts on Thursday 23 July for his contribution to Arts. He is first cousin once removed of the Queen and great grandson of King George V. Speaking about the highlights of his career so far, David commented: “I made some early documentaries about Tibet, a lot of mainstream television - Inspector Morse was a highlight – but, more recently, doing Carnival Messiah at Harewood was a huge undertaking – the first theatre I’d ever done as a producer. “Harewood is a fantastic resource. I see it first and foremost as a cultural organisation and somewhere important that is all about the cultural life of Yorkshire. We have a very strong visual arts programme and what we try to do with Harewood is present it as a historic place. We try to make it feel like somewhere that matters today with a 21st Century relevance. It’s not just about revering the past.” Harewood House, built in the 18th Century, is owned by David and Diane Lascelles, Earl and Countess of Harewood, and sits at the heart of Yorkshire. Run as an educational charitable trust, which David chairs, it hosts exhibitions of contemporary art, an award-winning educational department, a renowned Bird Garden and more than 100 acres of gardens for visitors to explore and enjoy. The Harewood Estate manages the countryside surrounding Harewood House and has a nationally-recognised conservation programme with particular emphasis on the restoration of historic buildings as well as the protection and development of wildlife habitats and the maintenance of listed parkland. In the winter of 2014 it commissioned a major green energy project to provide heating across the Estate, including to Harewood House itself. Speaking about his honorary degree, David said: “Receiving this award means a lot to me. It was a big surprise to me and my family. I feel that it is a long service award for being around long enough and doing enough things. “The advice that I would give to graduating students starting off in the arts is that you’ve really got to know that it’s what you want to do. It’s not an easy career option. Be prepared to take risks and work with people who you are excited about it. Follow your heart and your instincts. You’ll make some mistakes but that’s how you’ll get to do some exciting things too.” Born in London in 1950, David was educated at Westminster School and Bristol University. By profession, he is a film producer, initially of documentaries then of television and cinema drama including Inspector Morse (a BAFTA winner in 2001 while under his stewardship), Moll Flanders, The Wisdom of Crocodiles (with Jude Law), and Shakespeare’s Richard III starring Ian McKellen. In 2007, David produced Geraldine Connor’s Carnival Messiah, (Handel’s Messiah performed Caribbean Carnival style), at Harewood as part of the commemoration of the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade in the British Empire. Following Geraldine’s death, he helped set up the Geraldine Connor Foundation, which advances the development and education of individuals in arts and culture. The Foundation helps to develop professional and life skills, encouraging and nurturing new work and talent, and promoting equality, diversity, empowerment and inclusion in society through arts. In 2012, Leeds Beckett University supported the Foundation’s Summer School as an educational partner, creating a series of employability experiences for students. A formal partnership between the University and the Foundation is being developed, which would include live project work, work experience, placements, paid internships and graduate roles for students from a range of disciplines, from Built Environment and Engineering, History, Youth and Community Work, Events Management, Hospitality and Business Management. David has contributed his passion and experience to several cultural boards in Yorkshire, including: Welcome to Yorkshire (2009-2014), Alchemy (2010-present) and the Yorkshire Film Archive (1995-2010). In 2014 he chaired the Steering Group for the Yorkshire Festival, 100 days of cultural events in the lead up to the Grand Depart of the Tour de France. Leeds Beckett University Vice Chancellor, Professor Susan Price, said: “David’s contribution to the arts is substantial and he is dedicated to sharing his passion with others. We are delighted to recognise David’s contribution with this Honorary Doctorate and welcome him to our Headingley Campus to celebrate with us in honouring the achievements of our graduating students.”

• published: 24 Jul 2015
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