Two construction industry heavyweights have received honorary doctorates from Birmingham City University. Anthony McCourt, founder of city-based residential developer Court Collaboration, and Ann Bentley, former global chairwoman of property consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall, have been handed the honours.
Students graduating from the BCU's faculty of computing, engineering and the built environment, heard from the pair as they received their accolades for their outstanding contribution to real estate and the built environment at a ceremony at Symphony Hall.
Ms Bentley also received the honorary doctorate for her exceptional service to the university where she is a visiting professor.
Originally from Northern Ireland, Mr McCourt's is a former real estate solicitor whose first major experience in development was working on the mixed-use Cube building next to the Mailbox.
His company has been involved in a string of mainly residential projects across the city including the regeneration of Franklin House, the former Cadbury HQ in Bournville. He is also leading the planned 51-storey One Eastside scheme in Jennens Road.
Mr McCourt said: "I owe a lot of my success to pushing myself out of my comfort zone. But young people today, in this economic market, are going to find things a little tougher.
"They need to embrace the discomfort - don't fear it, lean into it because that's where the opportunities are.
"Following the phenomenal success of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, we now have the eyes of the world and there are lots of opportunities for anyone who decides to make this city their home.
"I think this is the decade of opportunity in Birmingham and we're only in year two of it - the best is yet to come."
Ms Bentley began her career as a civil engineer for British Rail in 1982 and has strived to pave the way for a diverse and socially mobile workforce in the construction sector.
This includes her work as one of the founders of BCU's David Bucknall Scholarship - a financial award made to Birmingham-based property and construction students from under-privileged backgrounds.
She said: "Make sure that you can do your job with your eyes shut and your boss' job with your eyes open. Be curious, be helpful and always push your own boundaries - keep on top of your technical discipline but look beyond it as well and force yourself to do things that might be a little uncomfortable.
"Only by testing lots of things will you find what you are really good at and what you really enjoy. Always remember that no-one else thinks quite like you.
"In your careers, you will mix with every imaginable type of person…embrace your uniqueness and what you bring to the table. Take time to listen and hone your communication skills."
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