Dr Mohamed Ibrahim

Doctor of Science (honoris causa)

Mohamed (‘Mo’) Ibrahim is an internationally-respected philanthropist and entrepreneur, widely seen as ‘transforming’ the African continent.

He created the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Index of African Governance, and Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, all with one clear objective; to place governance at the heart of African development.

The Guardian profile of him states that, “The Forbes Rich List puts his wealth at $2.5bn, he appears regularly at the top of lists of influential black Britons, and Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan speak admiringly of his vision.“

Achieving BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in electrical engineering and mobile communications, Dr Ibrahim made his fortune from developing Celtel, and pioneering mobile phone use through much of Africa.

He sold Celtel, with 24 million customers in 14 countries, in 2005 for £3.4bn.

His influence on African development, leadership and participation has been recognised by numerous international awards, including the Eisenhower Medal for Distinguished Leadership and the Foreign Policy Association Medal.

Professor Bernard Silverman

Doctor of Science (honoris causa)

Professor Bernard Silverman FRS is one of the world’s leading statisticians.

His path-breaking research in computational statistics has developed approaches to statistical problems of fundamental importance to society.

In his current role as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Home Office, Professor Silverman leads the Department’s scientific research community and provides independent scientific advice to the Home Secretary and other ministers.

His research has been recognised by numerous awards. He is a Past President of the Royal Statistical Society and of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics and is a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and of the Academy of Social Sciences (FAcSS).

His work for government included membership of the GM Science Review Panel, a non-executive directorship of the Defence Analytical Services Agency, and chairmanship of a review panel for the project for the Sustainable Development of Heathrow.

He has a substantial and broad record of providing statistical consultancy advice in many areas of industry and commerce as well as in financial and legal contexts.