The University of Warwick will award seven honorary degrees this summer to people whose achievements have made a lasting impact across mathematics, global leadership, sustainability, technology, culture and social justice.
From pioneering advances in pure mathematics and environmental thinking to transformative leadership in gender equality, education, cultural heritage and public service, this year's honorary graduates reflect the breadth of excellence recognised by the University. Their contributions span academia, policy, innovation and community leadership, with influence reaching far beyond their individual fields.
Honorary Graduates: Summer 2026
Professor Mike Berners-Lee
Mike Berners-Lee is a researcher, author and consultant whose work focuses on sustainability and the environmental challenges of the 21st century.
He is founder and director of Small World Consulting, where he works with organisations across sectors to measure and reduce their environmental impact. He is also a professor at Lancaster University, with research covering carbon footprinting, sustainable food systems and the environmental impact of technology.
He is the author of several influential books on climate and sustainability, including ‘There is No Planet B’ and ‘How Bad Are Bananas?’ His work combines research and public engagement, helping to improve understanding of the climate crisis and practical pathways to addressing it.
In recent years, he has taken a leading role in national and international climate dialogue, including chairing the National Emergency Briefing on the climate and nature crisis in 2025, and receiving recognition for his contribution to environmental solutions.
Dr Navina Evans
Dr Navina Evans CBE is a senior health leader with extensive experience in clinical practice and national workforce development across the NHS.
She has held a number of senior leadership roles, including Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer at NHS England, Chief Executive of Health Education England, and Chief Executive of East London NHS Foundation Trust, where the organisation achieved two consecutive ‘Outstanding’ ratings from the Care Quality Commission.
Her career has focused on strengthening the NHS workforce through improvements in education, training and recruitment, alongside a commitment to building inclusive and sustainable health systems.
She is widely recognised for her leadership in promoting staff wellbeing, co-production with patients, and improving outcomes across health and care services.
Georgina Eku Edewor-Thorley
Georgina Eku Edewor-Thorley is a British-Nigerian actress, television presenter and film producer whose career spans television, film and entertainment across the UK and Africa.
A University of Warwick alumna, she studied English Literature and Theatre Studies before training in acting for film at the New York Film Academy. She began her screen career in 2006 and went on to become a prominent figure in African entertainment, including as a presenter on Africa Magic's flagship entertainment programme 53 Extra.
Her acting credits include Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, Flower Girl and When Love Happens, alongside presenting roles across major entertainment platforms.
More recently, she produced the award-winning film Breath of Life, which received widespread recognition at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards. Her work reflects a commitment to African storytelling and bringing diverse narratives to audiences through film and television.
Tom Ilube
Tom Ilube CBE is a technology entrepreneur and educational philanthropist with a career spanning digital innovation, business leadership and public service.
He is Chair of the King’s Trust UK and Chair of LINK, the UK’s cash access and ATM network, and serves as a Non-Executive Director of WPP plc. He has also held senior leadership roles across major UK institutions, including the BBC and the Rugby Football Union.
Alongside his corporate career, he has founded and supported a range of education initiatives and schools, including the African Science Academy and ADA College, focused on expanding access to digital skills and STEM education.
He has been widely recognised for his contribution to technology and philanthropy, including being appointed CBE and named among Britain’s most influential Black individuals.
Professor Dame Frances Kirwan
Frances Kirwan is a mathematician whose work in algebraic geometry has helped shape the modern development of the field.
Until her recent retirement, she was the Savilian Professor of Geometry at the University of Oxford, a historic chair established in 1619. She studied mathematics at the University of Cambridge before completing her doctorate at Oxford, and went on to hold academic positions at Harvard University and within several Oxford colleges, including Magdalen and Balliol.
Her research focuses on algebraic geometry, particularly classification problems and the study of moduli spaces, which describe geometric structures arising from systems of polynomial equations. She has also worked in areas with connections to theoretical physics.
She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a former President of the London Mathematical Society. Her contributions have been recognised through numerous awards, including a DBE for services to mathematics, alongside numerous international honours. She has also been a strong advocate for supporting women in mathematics and mentoring early-career mathematicians.
Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a global leader in gender equality and sustainable development, a Warwick alumna, and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.
She has held senior political roles in South Africa, including Deputy President, and has spent her career advancing social justice, education and equal opportunity. At the United Nations, she led global initiatives to strengthen women’s rights, promote legal reform and advance gender equality, including initiatives such as HeForShe.
Her earlier career spanned education, civil society and politics, including roles in South Africa’s first democratic parliament and ministerial positions. She has since held a range of international leadership and advisory roles focused on education, governance and women’s empowerment.
She continues to contribute to global organisations working on equality, education and sustainable development.
Jacqueline Roberts
Jacqueline Roberts FRSA is a cultural leader, heritage specialist and advocate for racial justice whose work has helped shape understanding of African and Caribbean arts and history in Britain for more than four decades.
She is Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of SV2G (St Vincent and the Grenadines 2nd Generation), a leading organisation in cultural education and community engagement. Under her leadership, SV2G has developed nationally and internationally recognised programmes that bring Caribbean heritage into public life, including appearances at major UK cultural and civic events.
Her work spans historical research, curation and publication, including pioneering documentation of 18th century Black presence in Buckinghamshire and exhibitions exploring Vincentian migration and settlement. She has also contributed to collaborative heritage and arts projects that highlight Caribbean history and identity.
Alongside her cultural work, she has held advisory roles across policing and the criminal justice system, with a focus on equality, inclusion and community relations. She also works with academic partners, including the University of Warwick, on research into Caribbean resistance and historical narratives.
The honorary degrees will be awarded during the University's summer degree ceremonies in recognition of the outstanding contributions each recipient has made to their profession, their communities and wider society.
If you'd like to find out about our alumni speakers this summer, please see: Alumni graduation speakers 2026
About the University of Warwick
Founded in 1965, the University of Warwick is a world-leading institution known for its commitment to era-defining innovation across research and education. A connected ecosystem of staff, students and alumni, the University fosters transformative learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and bold industry partnerships across state-of-the-art facilities in the UK and global satellite hubs. Here, spirited thinkers push boundaries, experiment, and challenge convention to create a better world.
