Red Bull chief engineer and world-renowned artist among inspirational Herts alumni to receive honorary doctorates
Paul Monaghan, affectionately known in the motorsport world as “Pedals” for his early innovations designing pedals for tall drivers such as Gerhard Berger, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering. He studied engineering at Herts and since joining Red Bull Racing in 2005, has risen to the position of Chief Engineer, working with many iconic Formula 1 drivers including Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso.
Rana Begum, whose acclaimed work has been exhibited internationally - including at the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag in The Hague, the Moody Center for the Arts at Rice University in Houston, and Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery in London - is set to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in recognition of her contributions to contemporary art.
Also being honoured is Nicola Combarro, an elite physiotherapist who was part of the University’s first Physiotherapy cohort. She has served as Head Physiotherapist for Team GB at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics, Tokyo 2021, and Paris 2024, having been a key member of the national team since 2012. She will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Sports Science.
The bi-annual graduation ceremonies will take place at St Albans Cathedral between 2-11 September 2025, with nearly 6,000 Herts students celebrating the completion of their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Professor Anthony Woodman, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Hertfordshire, commented: “Graduation is an unforgettable moment and I congratulate everyone who is graduating from the University of Hertfordshire this September. Your graduation ceremony is an opportunity to reflect on the journey that has led you here, and to celebrate with the people who have supported you along the way.
“I am delighted to be welcoming 13 outstanding individuals to our community of Honorary Awardees. These are all people who have contributed significantly to their fields of expertise, and I am particularly pleased that nearly half our honorary awardees this year began their journeys at Herts as students.”
The full list of Honorary Degrees and Fellowships for September 2025 is:
Professor Bruce Christianson – Fellowship: Mathematician and computer scientist; Emeritus Professor of Informatics at the University of Hertfordshire
Bhanu Kaushik - Honorary Doctor of Business: Director, UH India and philanthropist
Paul Monaghan - Honorary Doctor of Engineering: Chief Engineer, Red Bull Formula One team; alumnus of the University of Hertfordshire
Rana Begum - Honorary Doctor of Arts: Internationally renowned visual artist; alumna of the University of Hertfordshire
Noel Tovey - Honorary Doctor of Arts: Managing Director, Sky Studios Elstree
Adam Sewell-Jones - Honorary Doctor of Science: Chief Executive, East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust
Dr Omaima Hatem - Honorary Doctor of Education: Educator and entrepreneur
Moataz Ghanem - Honorary Doctor of Business: Businessman and educator
Dr Lynn Drummond - Honorary Doctor of Science: Former Chair of the Board of Governors, the University of Hertfordshire; Non-Executive Director, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst
Nicola Combarro - Honorary Doctor of Sport Science: Physiotherapist, Team GB; alumna of the University of Hertfordshire
Neelam Sarkaria - Honorary Doctor of Laws: Barrister, tribunal judge, and criminal justice consultant; alumna of the University of Hertfordshire
Simon Gulliford - Honorary Doctor of Business: Marketing consultant; alumnus of the University of Hertfordshire and former SU President
Bill Hiron MBE – Fellowship: Former Director, UnoBus; Chairman, Eastern Transport Holdings Ltd