Two people distinguished in their field have been awarded an honorary degree at the University’s postgraduate graduation ceremonies this December.

Baroness Catherine Ashton

Baroness Catherine Ashton served as the European Union's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy between 2009 and 2014. On behalf of the UN Security Council, she coordinated negotiations that resulted in the nuclear programme agreement with Iran. Previously she was EU Commissioner for Trade, served as a Minister in the Departments of Education and Justice, and was Leader of the House of Lords and President of HM Queen's Privy Council. Baroness Ashton is Distinguished Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in Washington D.C and senior advisor to the Geneva based organisation, Humanitarian Dialogue.

Ranvir Singh

Ranvir Singh is the award-winning presenter of ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine. She also fronted her own ITV daytime quiz show, Riddiculous which will be returning for a second series in early 2024. In 2020 she showed off her dancing skills by reaching the semi-finals of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Ranvir has fronted several ITV primetime shows including Eat, Shop, Save, where Ranvir and her team of experts help families to eat and save their way to household happiness. She’s also fronted shows such as All Around Britain with Alex Beresford, and presented ITV’s Real Stories, telling unique stories of people who have experienced life-changing events.