2023 University of Hull Honorary Graduates have been named ahead of upcoming graduation

Thousands of students from the University of Hull are set to graduate this month as they celebrate all their achievements and hard work during their studies.

Graduation 2023 sees nearly 2,500 students graduate in nine ceremonies at Hull’s Bonus Arena, joined by more than 12,000 guests across four days of the University’s graduation ceremonies. Alongside them are our Honorary Graduates.

Each year, the University of Hull aims to recognise exceptional and outstanding personal achievement, stature and distinction through our Honorary Degrees.

Once awarded, our honorary graduates serve as incredible role models for the current and future generations of the University’s students.

Honorary Degrees have been an ongoing distinction of respect and admiration since 1955 and our highly-acclaimed honorary graduates have spanned numerous industries and incredible world-changing projects.

In 2022, Dame Sarah Gilbert who played a pivotal role in the development of the Covid vaccine was amongst 12 other incredible people. Heading over to the arts, Brian May CBE – founding member of Queen, guitarist, renowned songwriter, skilled producer and beloved performer – also received a University of Hull Honorary Degree last year.

Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull, said: “We are so proud of all of our graduates and the dedication and hard work they’ve put in to achieve their degrees.

“Graduation is a wonderful day of celebration when students and their families are filled with pride as they walk across the stage and collect their degree.

“We’re also pleased to announce our July 2023 Honorary Graduates who are highly inspirational to our staff, students, alumni and wider community.

“Whether it’s through their exceptional contribution to science, public service, business or the arts, we thank them for their commitment in all they do.

Our 2023 Summer Honorary Graduates have now been named. These include:

Jeremy Trevathan

Jeremy Trevathan is Managing Director at Pan Macmillan, one of the UK’s oldest and largest general book publishers. As such, he oversees the publishing and commercial progress of some of the UK’s most recognisable imprints including Macmillan, Pan and Picador.

He studied Politics and Philosophy at the University of Hull and graduated in 1980, before going on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Publishing from Oxford Polytechnic (now Oxford Brookes University.)

He has also been a key supporter of the University’s award-winning LGBTQ+ scholarships for undergraduates, in memory of his former partner Jeremy Round. Read more here.

Carol Thomas BEM

Carol is the second-ever senior England Women’s football captain and she’s been involved in the game for over 57 years. Carol started playing in 1966, aged 11 whilst the 50-year FA ban on women playing on football-affiliated club grounds was still in place.

In 1974, aged 19, she became the first and youngest woman to qualify as an FA Coach, quickly followed by a call up to the England squad in the same year. Less than 18 months later, she was appointed England captain when the senior Lionesses won their first ever international tournament, the Home International Championship.

Praveen Randhawa

After graduating from the University of Hull with a BA in Politics in 1997, followed by a Master of Arts in International Law and Politics in 1998, Praveen went on to join the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) where she served as a spokesperson and subsequently undertook political affairs work with the Human Rights Council secretariat.

Since then, she has run several nation-wide public education campaigns, is a Partner at Brunswick Group, and has become a true champion for diversity and women’s empowerment.

Maurice Rutherford

A native of working-class Hull, Maurice Rutherford was born on Albert Avenue in 1922. He served with the British Army in World War 2, and was employed for many years, on both banks of the River Humber, as a ship-builder’s technical writer.

A relatively late starter, Maurice began writing poetry in his mid-50s. Since then, he has published a number of well-received volumes of poetry including ‘Slipping the Tugs’ (1982), After the Parade (1989). And Saturday is Christmas, a comprehensive collection of new and selected poems was published in 2011.

Dr Susie Lum

Dr Lum was the former Chief Nurse Executive/Chief Manager (Nursing) of the Hospital Authority for over 14 years. She is greatly awarded from numerous universities and organisations worldwide.

In 2013, she was awarded the 44^th Florence Nightingale Medal by the International Committee of Red Cross, which recognizes her for exemplary service and a pioneering spirit in the areas of public health or nursing education. ”

Her work has received praise across Australia, the USA, Hong Kong and more due to her leadership commitments in the nursing industry.

Jill Clark

Jill graduated from the University of Hull with a BSc in Biology in 1993. She started her career with Nestle Rowntree before moving to Specsavers Optical Group, where she worked for twenty years. In 2003, she received an MBA and in 2023 she was elected as a Jurat of the Royal Court of Guernsey.

In 1997, Jill was involved in a high-speed motorboat collision and suffered severe facial trauma when she was hit by the anchor of the other vessel. Over 15 years Jill underwent 17 operations, and her face was rebuilt using hip bone and 300 titanium pieces. As a result of this, Jill became heavily involved with the charity Changing Faces.

She regularly campaigns for face equality and is also the chair of Face Equality International – an alliance of 36 organisations around the world who are working to promote the campaign for face equality.

Ben Morrin

Ben studied at the University of Hull and gained a BA (Hons) in British Politics and Legislative Studies in 1996.

Since then, Ben’s work in the health and public service has been expansive. From being Head of Strategy, Children and Young People’s Unit for the Department for Education in 2000, he became a senior civil servant in the UK Department of Health and Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

Ben is now the Director of Integration at NHS England and leading the design and development of the national and regional NHS.