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Honorary doctorates and fellowships

The University of Hertfordshire confers Honorary Awards upon individuals who have made an exceptional contribution in their area of specialism, to the University or in some cases to the county of Hertfordshire as a whole.

Read more about our Honorary Awardees below.

2024

Anand Beharrylal KC Honorary Doctor of Laws

Anand Beharrylal KC is one of the country’s leading civil and criminal barristers and among the first law graduates of the University of Hertfordshire to take Silk and ascend to the level of King’s Counsel. As a member of the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago, Anand’s work has an additional Caribbean dimension where he is well known for taking high profile cases including those relating to human rights. Anand Beharrylal is a Herts graduate, LLB Hons (Law Accelerated), 1996.

Steven Broad Honorary Master of Science

Steven Broad is an independent consultant and world-renowned authority on wildlife conservation and trade in wild animals and plants. Over the course of a career spanning almost four decades, Steven has provided strategic advice and expert input at the highest levels, including to the United Nations, the European Commission, and other international organisations. He was also Executive Director of leading wildlife trade non-governmental organisation, TRAFFIC. Steven Broad is a Herts graduate, BSc (Hons) Environmental Studies, 1984.

Carina Cruz Honorary Master of Science

Carina Cruz is Lead Research Nurse for East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. Over the past 23 years loyally served with the Trust, Carina has been an ambassador for research and the added value it can bring to the nursing profession. Through her connections to this University, she is now helping to propagate that ethos in our own students as well as in her colleagues. Carina Cruz is a Herts graduate, BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, 2007.

Professor Rodney Day Fellowship

Professor Rodney Day is the former Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering, and Computer Science at Hertfordshire. Over a span of almost 30 years, Professor Day’s expertise, passion and energy has left an indelible legacy for the University, particularly in relation to its student experience, research, and staff development. He is now Pro Vice- Chancellor for Research and Innovation at London South Bank University. Professor Rodney Day is a Herts graduate, Civil Engineering, 1989, PhD, 1993 and MBA 2003.

Steven Finn Honorary Doctor of Sports Science

Steven Finn is a former international fast bowler who helped England’s Test Team to win three Ashes series in five years. One of the few modern English seamers able to consistently reach speeds in excess of 90mph, Steven took 125 Test wickets – nearly 1,000 in total in his professional career – and made an equally valuable contribution off the pitch through his honest approach to talking about mental health in professional sport.

Nicola J Fox Honorary Doctor of Science

Dr Nicola Fox is Associate Administrator at NASA and one of the foremost scientists in the world. As its de facto Head of Science, Dr Fox oversees the agency’s annual budget of $7.8bn covering its portfolio of missions exploring some of the most fundamental questions in the universe. A world-leading expert on space weather, Dr Fox has published widely and in 2021, was presented with the American Astronautical Society’s Carl Sagan Memorial Award.

Tina Garvey Fellowship

Tina Garvey is Chief Executive of Retina UK, the Buckingham-based charity that supports people affected by inherited sight loss. With more than 20 years’ experience in the field, Tina has earned a peerless reputation as an international authority with the vision sector and has overseen the raising of £12 million in the past decade to fund life-changing medical research and support the inherited sight loss community. Tina Garvey is a Herts graduate, MSc Leadership and Management of Public Services, 2011.

Wg Cdr Manjeet Singh Ghataora OBE Honorary Doctor of Engineering

Wing Commander Manjeet Ghataora OBE has served for 25 years as an Engineer Officer in the Royal Air Force, supporting the UK’s interests on Operations across the globe. The most senior Sikh in the Armed Forces, Manjeet has used his influence to inspire young people and communities across the UK, delivering outstanding outreach work to some of its most underrepresented areas - recognition for which he received an OBE in 2022. Wing Commander Manjeet Singh Ghataora OBE, is a Herts graduate, BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering, 1998.

Sally Judges Honorary Master of Science

Sally Judges is both Clinical Director of Allied Health Therapies for the Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and Allied Health Professions Lead for the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care System. A qualified speech and language therapist, Sally has risen to become one of the region’s greatest ambassadors for the professional disciplines that fall under her remit, and has established hugely valued links with the University through her work.

Arti Kumar MBE Fellowship

Arti Kumar MBE is a UK National Teaching Fellow and influential published author and trainer in education development. During her decorated career in higher education and as a freelance consultant, Arti has written and published extensively, including her innovative and inclusive approach known as SOARing to Success. Awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to Higher Education, Arti has developed a strong relationship with the University, particularly the School of Health and Social Work. Arti Kumar MBE is a Herts graduate, BA (Hons) Contemporary Studies, 1981 and MA in Education, 1994.

Andrew Lucas Honorary Doctor of Music

Andrew Lucas is Master of the Music at St Albans Cathedral, a position he has held with distinction for the past 26 years. In this role, Andrew is responsible for all music performed in the Cathedral, including its boys’ choir, which enjoys a national profile through prestigious recitals, commercial recordings and broadcasts. An exceptional organist himself, Andrew has performed in front of audiences around the world including with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

David H Reissner Honorary Doctor of Laws

David Reissner is one of the country’s most experienced and respected authorities on pharmacy law. Over a career in practice spanning four decades, David provided expert representation to national representative bodies, pharmacy owners and individual pharmacists, and advised in some of the most high-profile cases in the profession. As the co-editor of the sector’s go-to academic textbook, Pharmacy and Medicines Law, David’s expertise continues to inform the curriculum of all 30 UK pharmacy schools.

Dr Lyn Trodd Fellowship

Dr Lyn Trodd is the former Dean of the School of Education at the University of Hertfordshire and a respected authority in the field of teacher training and Early Years Education. The author of multiple books and academic articles on the subject, Dr Trodd has played a key role in helping to establish and accredit new degrees and qualifications, both at the University and in the wider higher education sector. Dr Lyn Trodd is a Herts graduate, EdD, 2013.

Alison Waters Honorary Doctor of Science

Alison Waters is a four-time British National Squash Champion and a decorated international, capped 140 times for her country. A prodigious talent, Alison won her first national junior title at the age of nine and would go on to secure ten professional titles, rising to number three in the world in 2010. She also won four medals at the Commonwealth Games among her many successes in doubles events representing England.

2023

Dr Renata Crome Honorary Doctor of Science

Dr Renata Crome is a pharmacologist with extensive experience in scientific and clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation of new medicines. She has overseen this process for countless new drugs, including Tamiflu, and applied her skills and knowledge for public good with Cancer UK and the Covid-19 Phase 2 treatment programme. Passionate about community cohesion, Renata has also led numerous good causes in Knebworth.

Angelina Ankomah Honorary Master of Science

Angelina Ankomah is an award-winning midwife who has forged strong bonds with the University as a student and throughout her career. An alumna of the Diploma in Adult Nursing and the BSc (Hons) Midwifery, Angelina joined Watford General Hospital and is now Diabetic Specialist Midwife for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. She was named BAME Midwife of the Year at the 2021 National BAME Health and Care Awards.

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE Honorary Doctor of Science

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE is the Chief Executive Officer of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, the UK’s first open innovation biomedical catalyst. In a remarkable career spent at the interface of British science and innovation, Sally Ann has overseen four science parks, including leading the development of Colworth Science Park, Norwich Research Park and becoming the first Director of Harwell Oxford, which helped to establish the UK’s first national space cluster.

Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE Honorary Doctor of Education

Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE is a respected authority on education and standards, and an advisor to the UK government on policy. A Hertfordshire graduate, Jeffery is National Director of Education and Standards for the Aspiration Academies Trust, and Ofqual’s external expert for curriculum, education, and mathematics. Awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to education, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Dr Peter Nicolson BA (Hons) Honorary Doctor of Science

Peter Nicolson is an engineer and entrepreneur who established the globally successful C4 Carbides Ltd company, developing high performance power tools for leading global brands. A passionate advocate for knowledge exchange, Peter has worked with academics at the University through a range of funded partnerships, driving advances in innovation and bringing huge benefit to the institution and its graduates in the process.

Dr Sally Burton DL Honorary Doctor of Laws

Sally Burton is a trained lawyer who has used her skills to make a profound contribution to the voluntary sector, and in particular, the raising of more than half a million pounds for breast cancer research and care. Sally is a recent High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, a Deputy Lieutenant, and Board Trustee and Chairman of the Grants Committee of Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Dr Matt Hyde OBE Honorary Doctor of Education

Matt Hyde OBE is Chief Executive of the Scouts and has led the movement through a period of record membership growth and significant strategic change during his decade in charge. A former Chief Executive of the National Union of Students, Matt has held numerous voluntary leadership roles in the charity sector, including being Co-Founder of The Big Help Out – a national day of volunteering to put Scouting centre stage and inspire new volunteers.

Dr Professor Jerry Forrester Honorary Doctor of Science

Professor Jerry Forrester is Professor Emeritus of Hertfordshire Business School, where he studied and worked for nearly 30 years, ultimately becoming its Dean. Under his guidance, the School enhanced its international reputation by securing prestigious accreditations for many of its programmes. Among his many honorary positions, Professor Forrester is a Fellow and former Vice-Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

Briege Leahy Honorary Master of Science

Briege Leahy is the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and has played a pivotal role in increasing opportunities for the University to network and collaborate with local businesses. Briege has worked in conjunction with local authorities and the wider county to promote the importance of education, apprenticeships and skills improvement, and is a staunch advocate of both the University and the wider consortium as educational partners.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage OBE Honorary Doctor of Laws

Baroness Taylor OBE has had a distinguished career in local government – one which was recognised last year when she was appointed as a Labour life peer, becoming The Baroness Taylor of Stevenage. Having previously worked for a host of major organisations including British Aerospace, Baroness Taylor moved into local politics, serving on both Stevenage Borough and Hertfordshire County Councils, leading the former for 16 years.

Dr Robert Voss CBE Honorary Doctor of Laws

Robert Voss CBE is Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and has spent 40 years in the commodity sector, trading internationally in more than 65 countries. Elected President of The British Metals Association at the age of 31, Robert served as President of the European Metal Federation for 16 years and Vice-president of the International Federation for more than 20 years.

Elizabeth Franklin-Jones MBE Honorary Master of Science

Elizabeth Franklin-Jones MBE is a nursing leader who has inspired change across the integrated care system, improving resources, facilities, training and skills. A graduate of the University’s Nursing (Child) and Contemporary Nursing degrees, Elizabeth is Children and Young People’s Mental Health Matron at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and was the first-ever Michael Clift Leadership Scholar.