America's Cup winning yachtsman and global entrepreneur receives honorary doctorate

An international entrepreneur, whose passion for yachting brought the America’s Cup back to Europe after 152 years, is to be awarded an honorary doctorate from Plymouth University. Ernesto Bertarelli will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Marine Science at a special ceremony at the Marine Building on July 5th.

The award is not only recognition of his role in the winning and retaining of the America’s Cup with his team Alinghi, but also recognises his passion for the marine environment and his business and philanthropic interests in the areas of life sciences and education.

Ernesto, a graduate of Babson College, and later Harvard Business School, from whom he received an MBA, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the family’s global biotechnology firm Serono in 1996. Under his leadership, he helped transition the company from pharmaceuticals to biotechnology, increasing revenues to $2.8 billion by 2006.

The company was sold the following year, and Ernesto’s present business interests are organised under the Waypoint group (www.waypointcapital.net), which include Kedge Capital, an investment management group, and Ares Life Sciences, a private equity vehicle which invests across the spectrum of medical technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare.

Alongside his business interests, Ernesto devotes an immense amount of his time to philanthropic work through the Bertarelli Foundation, which focuses in the areas of medical research and marine conservation. The Foundation funds the protection of the largest marine reserve in the world, in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Ernesto has also etched his name in the history of the coveted America’s Cup, after his yachting team Alinghi, which he had only launched in 2000, became the first debutant to lift the trophy, beating Team New Zealand in Auckland in 2003. Ernesto served as navigator in 2003 and as an afterguard runner and grinder in 2007, when Alinghi defended the Cup in Valencia, Spain.

He has since played a leading role in reshaping the format of the event, which paved the way for it coming to Plymouth in 2011. He also brought to the city the challenge of building his new yacht, Project55, which was completed by Appledore Shipbuilders in Devon, and Devonport Engineering Consortium Limited, after four years.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “We are delighted to be able to confer an Honorary Doctorate of Marine Science upon Ernesto Bertarelli.  His passion for the marine environment and enterprise, and his commitment to using research to change people’s lives, reflects our University value. Our relationship with Ernesto is important as we work to transform lives through education and research across the University, city and globally.”

During his visit to the University, Ernesto will meet senior leaders, and academics from the medical and dental schools and Marine Institute. He will also take a tour of the Marine Building, where the ceremony will be held.

The honorary doctorate comes two months ahead of the University’s Graduation Week, which this year takes place from September 16th-21st. A number of recognised national figures in the arts, media, science, and business will receive doctorates during the week.