The RCA, the UK's pre-eminent school of art and design, awards its honorary doctorates sparingly. Peter Schreyer joins Italian designers Sergio Pininfarina and Giorgetto Giugiaro on a list of recipients which reads like a who's who of art and design.

In addition to Schreyer, the RCA also presented 'Britartist' Tracey Emin and musician Brian Eno with honorary doctorates at the ceremony at the famous Royal Albert Hall, London, on Friday 29th June, 2007.

As Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer has been driving the future design direction of Kia, one of the world's fastest growing car makers. Appointed in September 2006, Mr Schreyer is behind the ex_cee'd cabrio concept car shown by Kia at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Presenting Peter Schreyer with the doctorate, the RCA's Professor Dale Harrow said, "The Honorary Doctorate is the highest award that the RCA can bestow and is given to individuals that have contributed significantly to their subject."

"In Peter Schreyer's case, it is a recognition of the outstanding contribution that Peter has made and the enormous amount of influence he has on modern car design and on students at the RCA. Peter's controlled and intellectual approach to car styling has redefined the car for the 21st century."

Schreyer said, "I am very proud and delighted to be honored by the Royal College. It has a world-renowned tradition for encouraging the finest work and among its honorary doctors are some of the greatest names in the art and design world. To be included amongst them is possibly the greatest accolade I could wish for."

"This only serves to encourage me to produce the very best work of my career for Kia. Kia has given me the opportunity to shape its whole brand design and character, and seldom does a designer have such a clean sheet to work with. We have already started this journey with ex_cee'd to show just where we might go, and at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September I think we will surprise the entire automotive world with what we are planning for Kia's future."