University News Last updated 17 December 2015
BAFTA award-winning comedian Jo Brand will receive an honorary doctoral degree from Birmingham City University next month, in recognition of her work in raising awareness around mental health.
With a successful career spanning over 25 years, Jo has entertained a whole host of audiences and featured on television programmes such as QI, 'Have I Got News For You' and most recently presented 'The Great British Bake Off - An Extra Slice'.
However comedy wasn't Jo's original career choice and prior to this she trained as a mental health nurse at the Maudsley and Royal Bethlem Hospitals in London. As a psychiatric nurse, Jo was based at the Emergency Clinic of the Maudsley in South London where she led the Nurse Team as Senior Charge Nurse.
Jo continues to raise awareness around mental health issues and is a keen supporter of a range of charities which earned her the Third Sector Award for Celebrity Charity Champion in 2014.
Jo will receive her award on Tuesday 12 January at the Awards Congregation ceremony, held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham, which will celebrate the work and achievements of students graduating from the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences.
Also receiving honorary awards from Birmingham City University that week are Jim McCarthy, CEO of Poundland; Louise Brooke-Smith, Chartered Planning and Development Surveyor; and Anita Bhalla, Chair of Performances Birmingham Limited, Town Hall Symphony Hall.