University of Hull to Honour Inspiring Leaders and Changemakers

A High Court Judge who champions diversity, a former chancellor of the University, a coal mine electrician who pioneered the semiconductor industry and ‘our greatest living expert on Parliament’.

This year’s honorary graduates bring a truly exceptional breadth of experience and expertise, spanning a wide and diverse range of fields.

They will join thousands of students in celebrating success at our graduation ceremonies, which are taking place at the Connexin Live arena later this month.

Barbara Mills KC: a highly respected family law barrister, King’s Counsel and Deputy High Court Judge and part of our part of our alumni family. In 2025, she made history as the first woman and first person of colour to Chair the Bar Council. She is being recognised for her unwavering commitment to justice and her inspirational leadership which promotes wellbeing, equality, and diversity in the legal profession.

Baroness Bottomley of Nettlestone: Chancellor of the University of Hull for 17 years, former Secretary of State for Health and a member of the House of Lords. We are celebrating her exceptional, enduring and transformative contribution to the University of Hull and the wider Humber community.

Phillip Lord Norton of Louth: Described by The House magazine as ‘our greatest living expert on Parliament.’ Lord Norton is Professor of Government at the University of Hull and a member of the House of Lords. We celebrate his tireless commitment to social justice, effective government and philanthropy.

Hon. Professor Neville Reyner CBE: A pioneer of the semiconductor industry in the UK and Ireland who began his career as a coal mine electrician and rose to become a senior executive at Mitsubishi Electric UK. We recognise his lifelong dedication to embedding real-world relevance into higher education, including setting up and chairing the Industrial Advisory Board at the University of Hull.

During the ceremonies, we will also be celebrating four very special Alumni Laureates: Dr Nina Purviss, Hilda Kwoffie, Dr Phininder Balaghan and Eden Barnes.

Throughout the week we will be recognising their individual exceptional contributions to the fields of science, law, technology and politics.