Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates to be awarded honorary degree by the University of Exeter

Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates will join politicians, journalists, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and AI pioneers being given honorary degrees by the University of Exeter this week.

Former Exeter MP The Rt Hon. Sir Ben Bradshaw and Professor Penny Endersby, Chief Executive of the Met Office will also be recognised for their work.

Sir Alan is founder of the Justice For Subpostmasters Alliance and has spent more than two decades working to expose their abuse by the Post Office, stemming from its Horizon computer system failures.

He said: “I feel very honoured to accept this Honorary Degree from Exeter. Whilst it is many years since I have lived and worked in Exeter, I am well aware of the important work the University of Exeter Law School has undertaken to investigate the impact on the mental health of victims and the families of subpostmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal.”

Sir Ben said: “I feel hugely honoured to have been recognised in this way by University of Exeter. The university was a vital partner during my 27 years as Exeter’s MP in helping deliver the growth & economic success of our city, its global reputation and transforming the life chances of local young people through its spearheading & leadership role in Exeter’s Ted Wragg Trust, which has delivered huge improvements in attainment in Exeter secondary schools.”

Professor Endersby said: “I am extremely honoured and proud to receive this honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter. Exeter has a fine reputation as one of the best places in the UK to research and study all aspects of climate, environment and sustainability, with increasingly global standing. As one of our Met Office Academic Partners they make an active and valued contribution to our research. Working together we have generated a hub of environmental expertise in the South West leading to many strong collaborations such as the recent Exeter Climate Forum.
“I look forward to meeting the many brilliant graduands and to seeing the University go from strength to strength as we continue our partnership.”

Also receiving honorary degrees are BBC News Analysis Editor are Ros Atkins, Andrew Ng, the founder of DeepLearning AI and Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières.

A total of 6,348 students from 118 different countries, with 128 different nationalities, will graduate from more than 168 different courses over the next two weeks. They will be cheered on by more than 15,000 guests.

Former leader and co leader of the Green Party Caroline Lucas, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Warsi and The Rt. Hon Sir Sajid Javid will be awarded honorary degrees.

Sir Sajid said: “I’m deeply honoured to return to the University of Exeter, where I first began to shape my path over three decades ago. My time here gave me not only knowledge, but confidence and lifelong friendships. To now receive this honorary degree is a moment of real pride and reflection.”

Caroline Lucas said: “I’m very grateful for this honour.  The fact that the work I’ve been doing for so many years in green politics has been recognised in this way by the University of Exeter is really heartwarming.  It’s a huge pleasure and privilege to return to the university where I began my career and to receive this honour from them”.

Other recipients are arts and culture coach and consultant Pippa Warin, writer Cheryl Morgan, entrepreneur and philanthropist Erika Brodnock MBE, Sarah Turvill, a philanthropist and former chair of the University of Exeter Council and Yasmin Batliwala MBE, Chief Executive, of Advocates for International Development.

Sarah Turvill, who was University of Exeter Chair of Council for ten years, is a former barrister and is Chief Executive Officer of Willis International. Sarah currently has a number of voluntary roles on the Isle of Wight, where she lives, and has recently become a governor of the Exeter Maths School. 

Pippa Warin began her career in community arts before going on to set up the National Lottery Community Fund in the South West, ArtshareSW and DAISI. She was Director of Culture South West, Head of Culture in the Government Dept of the South West and now works as a freelance arts consultant. Pippa had a major strategic role in the achievement of Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature designation. 

Pippa said: “I am delighted to be receiving this honorary degree and value the University of Exeter’s recognition of people with diverse experiences and achievements.  For me, this award is also a tribute to the amazing people I have worked and collaborated with over the years, in my wide-ranging roles in the arts and cultural sectors.”

Erika Brodnock is co-founder at Kinhub, providing a generative AI coaching and personalised support platform for enterprise teams. She is also a non-executive director at Diversity VC and The Good Play Guide; a trustee for the Black Funding Network; an investment committee member for Resonance Community Fund.

Erika said: “Receiving an honorary degree from the University of Exeter is an immense privilege and deeply humbling. As someone passionate about creating inclusive systems and driving meaningful change, this recognition from such a forward-thinking institution is profoundly affirming. I am grateful to be celebrated this way and hope it inspires others from historically under-represented backgrounds to pursue their goals unapologetically.”

Yasmin Batliwala is the Chief Executive of Advocates for International Development (A4ID), a nonprofit that mobilises the legal profession to fight poverty and drive sustainable development. Under her leadership, A4ID has become a vital force in international pro bono legal work and has influenced how legal professionals engage with global justice issues. She has served on the Board of a major NHS Trust, The Hertfordshire Police Authority, as Chair of Via, influencing policies supporting vulnerable communities and as a magistrate in both youth and adult courts.

Yasmin said: “It means so much to be recognised by a community whose values and spirit I admire. As someone who has worked to widen access to justice for many years, this moment is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

Professor Lisa Roberts, University of Exeter President and Vice Chancellor, said: “It is always so special to celebrate the amazing achievements of our graduating students with their loved ones, and wish them well as they embark on the next stage of their lives. I would like to congratulate every one of our fantastic students who are graduating this year.

“We are also looking forward to celebrating the impact and achievements of our honorary graduates, who have made such an important contribution to society. Their work is truly inspiring, and we look forward to celebrating with them.”