Honorary Graduates
Each year, the University makes a number of honorary awards that recognise outstanding service to the University, to the City of Birmingham and the West Midlands, or to public or professional life nationally and internationally.
Here we take a look at our Honorary Graduates, across a wide range of professional fields and industries.
Recent Honorary Graduates
Dr Graham Herries
Vice President IT - Europe and Africa, Lear Corporation
Graham is an experienced executive leader with over 28 years of proven engineering and technology leadership, managing complex programmes to deliver cutting edge high technology solutions.
Graduated: 2025
Read moreMarcus Ryder MBE
Chief Executive Officer, The Film and TV Charity
Marcus Ryder is an internationally recognised leader in the film and TV industry. In 2024 he was named by Variety magazine as one the 500 most influential business leaders shaping the global media industry - one of less than 50 people from the UK.
Graduated: 2025
Read moreSonia M Phythian OBE
Head of Defence Case Management System, Ministry of Defence
Raised in Lancashire, Air Commodore Sonia Phythian qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1993 from Chester School of Nursing and Midwifery. She worked for the NHS before commissioning into the Princess Mary’s Royal Air Force Nursing Service in 1996.
Graduated: 2025
Read moreEileen Schofield
Principal, Schofield & Associates
Eileen was admitted to the roll of Solicitors in England and Wales in 2000. She now runs her own award-winning company, a niche commercial and employment law firm which she set up in 2009.
Graduated: 2025
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