University of Hull to honour inspirational leaders and innovators

Ahead of our Winter Graduation ceremonies in January, the University has announced the recipients of its Honorary Degrees.

Among those is Hull KR Head Coach, Willie Peters who will receive his degree following the premiere of a documentary, Renaissance, charting the journey of Hull Kingston Rovers from relegation in 2016 to this year's historic treble-winning success.

He will have an Honorary Doctor of Letters conferred on him by Chancellor the Rt Hon. Alan Johnson following the screening at Middleton Hall on December 17.

This recognition by the University comes at the end of an extraordinary year for the Australian coach.

In 2025 Willie Peters guided Hull KR to victory in the Challenge Cup Final, defeat of Super League Grand Final rivals Wigan and lifting the League Leaders' Shield. He was named Super League Coach of the Year and became Assistant Head Coach of his national team.

He is one of five distinguished honourees to be made Doctors of Letters. Graduating students will be joined by a fellow coaching hero, a game-changing business leader, a gin genius and a learning champion at January's degree celebrations.

Lee Radford: former Hull FC coach who guided the team to their first Wembley win in 2016 and Challenge Cup triumph in 2017, Lee was recently appointed Scotland defence coach. He is honoured for his contribution to sport and community development.

Rory Clarke: Managing Director of J R Rix & Sons Ltd and Hull University Business School alumnus, Rory is recognised for his visionary leadership and commitment to regional business growth. Rory earned his MBA at Hull in 2011 and is a member of the Logistics Institute advisory board.

Lesley Gracie: master distiller at Hendrick’s Gin Distillery Limited, Lesley is responsible for creating the original Hendrick’s gin recipe, and every liquid innovation from Hendrick’s ever since. She is celebrated for her pioneering approach to innovation.

Yiannis Koursis: CEO of The Bedford College Group and previously CEO and Principal of Barnsley College, Yiannis is a nationally recognised leader in Further Education and a champion of skills development and social mobility. He was awarded an OBE for his services to Further Education in 2022.

Professor Kevin Kerrigan, Interim Vice-Chancellor, said:

“The University of Hull is deeply engaged with our communities and endlessly ambitious for our students. Inspired by exceptional teaching and supported by our dedicated staff, they develop the skills, confidence and values to become the freethinking future makers of tomorrow. In awarding degrees we celebrate their life-changing determination, resilience, and ambition. We are proud of every one of them.

“Each graduation is also an opportunity to honour those individuals from business and industry, the arts, education and sports whose leadership, talent, ingenuity and generosity have transformed their fields of endeavour and their communities and inspired others.

“Our newest graduates begin their professional journeys alongside distinguished leaders who mirror our commitment to progress. Through collaboration and engagement, we are proud to bring together generations of change-makers, ready to shape a fairer, brighter and better future for all.”

Graduation ceremonies will take place at Hull’s Connexin Live arena, 13 - 15 January.