POLLSTER and market research professional Don Anderson is set to receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree from The University of West Indies, Mona (The UWI), at its annual graduation on October 31.

Anderson, who is being recognised for his contribution as an entrepreneur, his considerable body of work in the field of market research, and his long years of service as a national sports administrator, is one of four individuals to be conferred with the LLD. The others are Monte Blake of Merritone Music, applied scientist Dr Conrad Douglas, and Courtney Campbell, president and CEO of VM Financial Group Limited, a news release revealed.

Anderson started work as a market research executive with a British market research company in the early 70s, after a short stint teaching at Campion College.

He set up Market Research Services Limited in 1975 and has spent 49 years conducting market research throughout the Caribbean and Central America.

He now serves as executive chairman of the company.

“Anderson established the political polling arm of the company in 1989 and along with the growth in his market research business, his polls have become widely accepted throughout the Caribbean for credibility and professionalism,” the release said.

He has worked with several governments and opposition parties as well as a wide range of corporate entities in the region, in addition to the World Bank.

Anderson has lectured extensively at The UWI in the field of market research theory and practice, as well as at the University of Technology, Jamaica and as a guest lecturer at Dalhousie University in Canada.

Anderson spent 32 years as a vice-president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, during which time he led 12 Jamaica teams to the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games.

He served in the management of seven consecutive Olympic Games from Seoul in 1988 through to London in 2012 and was chef de mission and head of the Jamaican delegation for the Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London games.

In 2007, he was conferred with a national honour, the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), for his service to the nation.