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Tuesday 21 July 2009 afternoon ceremony

Les and Claire Halpin

College of Benefactors

In acknowledgment of the importance of philanthropy, the University of Exeter invites its most generous donors to become members of the prestigious College of Benefactors. Induction into the College is the highest honour that the University can bestow upon its donors.

Les Halpin and Claire Dobson met each other within a few weeks of starting their undergraduate courses at the University of Exeter in 1976. They graduated in 1979 with degrees in Mathematical Statistics and Operational Research and Biological Sciences having enjoyed a memorable 3 years studying in Exeter. Claire and Les married in 1982.

On leaving university, Claire started a career in computing. Over the following 25 years she worked as a Program Designer for a number of organisations in both the public and private sectors, as well as adding to her first degree with a degree in Mathematics from the Open University. She retired in 2007 and has since become very active in local nature conservation, volunteering for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and a local animal refuge, as well as acting as a parish councillor for her local community.

Les worked for a number of major organisations during which he acquired an MBA in Finance before becoming the second employee in a start up financial services business in 1984. He helped build the business over the next 15 years becoming Chief Executive before moving on to run a sister company specialising in financial software. Les is now Chairman of a growing software company as well as an active investor in and advisor to a number of other early stage businesses.