Honorary doctorates and fellowships

Dr Renata Crome is a pharmacologist with extensive experience in scientific and clinical development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation of new medicines. She has overseen this process for countless new drugs, including Tamiflu, and applied her skills and knowledge for public good with Cancer UK and the Covid-19 Phase 2 treatment programme. Passionate about community cohesion, Renata has also led numerous good causes in Knebworth.

Angelina Ankomah is an award-winning midwife who has forged strong bonds with the University as a student and throughout her career. An alumna of the Diploma in Adult Nursing and the BSc (Hons) Midwifery, Angelina joined Watford General Hospital and is now Diabetic Specialist Midwife for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. She was named BAME Midwife of the Year at the 2021 National BAME Health and Care Awards.

Dr Sally Ann Forsyth OBE is the Chief Executive Officer of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, the UK’s first open innovation biomedical catalyst. In a remarkable career spent at the interface of British science and innovation, Sally Ann has overseen four science parks, including leading the development of Colworth Science Park, Norwich Research Park and becoming the first Director of Harwell Oxford, which helped to establish the UK’s first national space cluster.

Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE is a respected authority on education and standards, and an advisor to the UK government on policy. A Hertfordshire graduate, Jeffery is National Director of Education and Standards for the Aspiration Academies Trust, and Ofqual’s external expert for curriculum, education, and mathematics. Awarded an OBE in 2023 for services to education, he is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

Peter Nicolson is an engineer and entrepreneur who established the globally successful C4 Carbides Ltd company, developing high performance power tools for leading global brands. A passionate advocate for knowledge exchange, Peter has worked with academics at the University through a range of funded partnerships, driving advances in innovation and bringing huge benefit to the institution and its graduates in the process.

Sally Burton is a trained lawyer who has used her skills to make a profound contribution to the voluntary sector, and in particular, the raising of more than half a million pounds for breast cancer research and care. Sally is a recent High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, a Deputy Lieutenant, and Board Trustee and Chairman of the Grants Committee of Hertfordshire Community Foundation.

Matt Hyde OBE is Chief Executive of the Scouts and has led the movement through a period of record membership growth and significant strategic change during his decade in charge. A former Chief Executive of the National Union of Students, Matt has held numerous voluntary leadership roles in the charity sector, including being Co-Founder of The Big Help Out – a national day of volunteering to put Scouting centre stage and inspire new volunteers.

Professor Jerry Forrester is Professor Emeritus of Hertfordshire Business School, where he studied and worked for nearly 30 years, ultimately becoming its Dean. Under his guidance, the School enhanced its international reputation by securing prestigious accreditations for many of its programmes. Among his many honorary positions, Professor Forrester is a Fellow and former Vice-Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

Briege Leahy is the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and has played a pivotal role in increasing opportunities for the University to network and collaborate with local businesses. Briege has worked in conjunction with local authorities and the wider county to promote the importance of education, apprenticeships and skills improvement, and is a staunch advocate of both the University and the wider consortium as educational partners.

Baroness Taylor OBE has had a distinguished career in local government – one which was recognised last year when she was appointed as a Labour life peer, becoming The Baroness Taylor of Stevenage. Having previously worked for a host of major organisations including British Aerospace, Baroness Taylor moved into local politics, serving on both Stevenage Borough and Hertfordshire County Councils, leading the former for 16 years.

Robert Voss CBE is Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire and has spent 40 years in the commodity sector, trading internationally in more than 65 countries. Elected President of The British Metals Association at the age of 31, Robert served as President of the European Metal Federation for 16 years and Vice-president of the International Federation for more than 20 years.

Elizabeth Franklin-Jones MBE is a nursing leader who has inspired change across the integrated care system, improving resources, facilities, training and skills. A graduate of the University’s Nursing (Child) and Contemporary Nursing degrees, Elizabeth is Children and Young People’s Mental Health Matron at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) and was the first-ever Michael Clift Leadership Scholar.

Danielle Carter received an Honorary Doctor of Science. Danielle studied for a degree in Physiotherapy at the University while playing for Arsenal, and graduated from the University in 2015. Danielle played for Arsenal for eleven years, totalling 184 appearances and more than sixty goals, and has more than forty caps for England in all age categories. She continues to enjoy a successful professional football career.

Professor Alan Davies and Dr Diane Crann MBE received the University’s first joint Fellowship in recognition of their contribution to the University and to education in Hertfordshire. Alan retired from the position of Head of Mathematics in 2014, following forty-five years on the staff. Together, Alan and Diane brought a programme of mathematics masterclasses to Hertfordshire, the rest of the UK, and abroad.

University of Hertfordshire alumnus Paul Goldspring is Senior District Judge for England and Wales, one of the youngest to ever hold the post since it began in 1735. He is a contributing editor of Archbold Magistrates’ Courts Practice, a key handbook for practitioners, and keenly supports current students of the University. He is one of the successful former students to feature on the mural of the Grace Ononiwu Law Court Building.  He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws.

David Jefferys is the Senior Vice President for Global Regulatory, Government Relations, Public Affairs and Product Safety for medical research company Eisai, based in Hatfield. He was instrumental in the creation of the Regulatory Science course at the University of Hertfordshire and has lectured on that and the Drug Safety Course. David has received an Honorary Doctor of Science.

George Kruis studied for a BA in Business Administration while playing professional rugby for the Saracens, and graduated in 2014. He retired from professional rugby in June 2022, having spent the last two years playing for Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights. George achieved forty-five England caps during his career, including two World Cups and the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour. In 2018 George co-founded the wellness company FourFive, based in St Albans.  George received an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Jim McManus is the Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire. He played a vital role both locally and nationally in the response to the COVID pandemic. He is a Chartered Psychologist, Chartered Scientist and Fellow of the British Psychological Society. Jim is a Visiting Professor at the University of Hertfordshire and was instrumental in the development of the Doctorate in Public Health programme. He was made Honorary Doctor of Science.

Rachael Moses OBE graduated from the University of Hertfordshire in 2001 with a BSc in Physiotherapy. She specialised in respiratory physiotherapy, and was the first Consultant Respiratory Physiotherapist in Lancashire and South Cumbria. She was Chief Allied Health Professional at the London NHS Nightingale Hospital in 2020. She is a powerful advocate for the allied health professions. She has been a humanitarian aid worker for more than yen years, and in 2021 was awarded an OBE for her services to the NHS.  Rachel received an Honorary Doctor of Science.

Judy St John retired in August 2021 following twenty-two years at the University of Hertfordshire. During this time she made an enormous contribution to the support of BAME students and staff. She was instrumental in the University’s achievement of the Race Equality Charter Mark and was involved in a number of initiatives to eliminate the attainment gap between BAME and White British students. She has been made a Fellow of the University.

Hertfordshire resident Phillip Thompson was awarded an Honorary Master of Education for his contribution to education in Hertfordshire. Phil has served as Chair of both Oaklands College Corporation and West Herts College Corporation, and is passionate about opening up educational, employment and life opportunities for those who might not otherwise have access to them. He was instrumental in establishing University Campus St Albans, which offers part-time degree courses to mature students.

Lionel Wallace DL was born and raised in Hertfordshire. He is a senior aeronautical engineer and an alumnus of the University of Hertfordshire, having studied Law part-time while continuing his aviation career and graduated in 2014. Lionel has been a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire since 2008, and he was the first Black High Sheriff of Hertfordshire when he was appointed for a twelve-month tenure in 2021. Lionel was made Honorary Doctor of Laws.