‘Top’ was given the honour as part of DMU’s graduation ceremonies at Leicester’s Curve theatre on Wednesday, which saw students from the university’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences receive their degrees.
DMU bestows such honours on those deemed to have made a significant contribution to the university or to the Leicester community, on this occasion acknowledging Top’s business achievements and community contribution both with Leicester City and with King Power International Group.
Top said: “To be recognised by one of Leicester’s outstanding educational establishments in this way is a great privilege and I am extremely grateful to De Montfort University. It was a very proud moment, both for me and for my family, to receive this honorary doctorate.
“Since starting our association with Leicester City, my family has been humbled by the warm welcome we have received from the Leicestershire community and the way the people of the city have embraced our vision for its football club. It is a community I am extremely proud to be associated with and I am very committed to ensuring that I, and Leicester City Football Club, play a beneficial and positive role in its development.
“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to all of this year’s De Montfort University graduates who, after years of hard work, deserved to enjoy this most special of occasions. It was a great privilege to share the stage with them.”
Top and his father, Leicester City Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, led a takeover of Leicester City in 2010, before transferring the ownership of the Club to King Power International in September 2012. Through King Power’s support, the Club has been able to take giant strides in its quest to return to the Premier League, making long-term investments in King Power Stadium, its Belvoir Drive Training Facility, its Academy infrastructure and its first team playing squad.
And through the establishment of the LCFC Foxes Foundation, the Club has also raised over £250,000 for worthy causes in the Leicestershire community and beyond, with a variety of charitable endeavours.
Top has also sought to increase the profile of Leicester City in his native Thailand, growing support for the Club through his role as Board Director of King Power, while also helping to establish trade links between the UK and Thailand and its surrounding territories through the Club’s partnership with UK Trade and Investment.