About the Founder and Group Board Chairman

After graduating in mining engineering, Keith Howard embarked on a PhD in geophysics but decided to take up an appointment with Anglo American Corporation in South Africa. He later returned to England where he qualified as a mining manager with the National Coal Board.

During his time in industry he maintained an interest in academic matters and completed a Masters degree by research and shortly afterwards joined the University of Bradford School of Management, where the roots of Emerald are to be found. He was then able to complete his ambition of a doctorate, having been seconded for a day a week to lead an IBM team in the development of computerized corporate modelling systems.

For five years at Bradford he directed the largest and most successful doctoral programme in Western Europe and completed many publications in the field of research and management science, including The Management of a Student Research Project.

The predecessor of Emerald (MCB) had been founded in 1967 and in 1983 Keith resigned from Bradford University to take up full-time employment within the publishing company.

For nearly all his time in the company (MCB and then Emerald) Keith has been Chief Executive or Chairman, and is currently Chairman of the Holding Company, MCB UP Group Limited.

Outside Emerald, Keith is particularly interested in performing arts, sport and bridge. He has been a trustee of Life Education Bradford for nearly 20 years and is currently Chairman of the Opera North Future Fund, a trustee of Leeds Rugby Foundation and Chairman of the Emerald Foundation. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Leeds Grand Theatre Limited.

• On 24 November 2009, HRH The Prince of Wales presented one of his five Medals for Arts Philanthropy to Keith. This medal celebrates individuals who
  support the arts and recognizes the contribution of the most inspiring cultural philanthropists in the UK.
  
  
• On 12 October 2011, the Queen awarded Keith with an OBE for services to business, sport and to the arts in West Yorkshire.
  
  
• On 24 October 2011, Keith received the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Leeds.

Visit the Emerald Foundation website.