The chairman of John Lewis, Stuart Hampson, who received an honorary degree from Kingston University last month, seized the opportunity to urge the university to lead the way into the next millennium.
He said: "I hope that Kingston can play its part as an example of Tomorrow's University in inculcating in its programmes an emphasis on partnership and co-operation to produce the best solution rather than on head-long pursuit of individual goals."
Mr Hampson said partnership and co-operation not an adversarial approach would be the key to success in the future.
In addition to a John Lewis department store, Kingston has a branch of Waitrose, which Mr Hampson had been instrumental in setting up.
He said: "With no certainty as to whether you are enthusiasts or detractors of the unusual architecture of the John Lewis and Waitrose building, I confess I was responsible for its construction and opening."
Explaining why Mr Hampson had been chosen to receive the degree, Professor David Miles, head of the faculty of business at Kingston University, cited his distinguished career in the Civil Service and John Lewis Partnership as two of the key factors.
"The faculty has a special interest in the issues of stake-holding and sees a company such as the John Lewis Partnership as a particular challenge for a manager in that the role demands a deep understanding of the culture of ownership," said Professor Miles.
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