Military honour for graduate who helped secure £9 billion of reconstruction funding in Iraq
Trevor Killen (Government Studies, 1977) has been awarded a Certificate of Commendation “in recognition of exceptional contribution” to the Coalition mission in Iraq.
Since March 2008, Trevor has acted as the UK’s Investment Promotion Advisor in Iraq. Although more recently based in Baghdad, most of his time has been spent setting up and advising the Basra Investment Commission and working as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Basra province, a region in desperate need of sustained investment to improve living conditions. General Andy Salmon OBE, then General Officer Commanding Basra, presented the award at a ceremony in the city, where he cited Trevor’s “enormous commitment and hard work, above and beyond what might be reasonably expected”, and described him as “outstanding in his knowledge and expertise in investment promotion, while also generous and effective in sharing this with others.”
Jo Belcher (Music, 2005) works with world-class composers and performers at Audio Network, the first UK company to create a large scale, rights-cleared original music catalogue for use in television, film, advertising and new media.
In practical terms, Trevor’s achievements range from the establishment of a functioning office and staff for the Basra Investment Commission, to building their capability to attract investment proposals worth £9bn after a highly successful programme of investor visits. His work will make a great contribution to improving stability and security across the province.
As Music Co-ordinator, Jo briefs composers on what music to write, organises recording sessions and oversees coding of the finished tracks for upload onto the web. She explains: “I always wanted to be involved in music for film and TV. I worked my way up to be involved with the music production – it’s a great job because I’ve learnt how a studio works and how to record and mix tracks. I’ve had the opportunity to work with amazing composers and performers, including Evelyn Glennie and the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra.”
Trevor, who has also received the UK Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal, described the award as “an unexpected honour.”
Brunel Honorary Graduate Sir John Dankworth, one of the biggest names in British jazz who died in 2010, was a founding investor and regular composer for the company.
Musician records renowned composers for online library
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