President’s University Honour

Birmingham Press Club president Bob Warman (pictured) donned a cap and graduation robes as he was made an Honorary Doctor of Arts by the University of Wolverhampton.

Honorary awards are presented by the university  to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise. 

“It’s a terrific honour, which came out of the blue.  But what a privilege it is,” said Bob.

The veteran ITV Central journalist, who was born in Walsall, spent 50 years with the broadcaster before retiring last summer. He was described by co-presenter Sameena Ali-Khan as "a living legend".

Bob joined Central's predecessor ATV in April 1973, covering stories ranging from the Birmingham pub bombings to the closure of the Longbridge car works – and witnessing the development of news-gathering from the latter days of film into the digital age.

He attended preparatory school in Shrewsbury before starting his journalistic career on his local newspaper, The Walsall Observer, later joining the Birmingham Evening Mail.

His achievements include being awarded the Baird Medal, The Royal Television Society’s highest honour, in recognition of "his outstanding contribution to the Midlands television community".

In March, Bob was presented with an MBE by Princess Anne – awarded for services to broadcasting and journalism in the West Midlands.

In addition to being president of Birmingham Press Club, Bob is a life vice-president of The Journalists Charity and a patron of Acorns Children’s Hospice, which has units in Birmingham, Walsall and Worcester