Bournemouth University has made seven honorary awards during this year’s graduation ceremonies. The awards have been made to individuals who have achieved success, had an impact on lives of disadvantaged people and helped people live healthy, more sustainable lives.
Georgia Brown (Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration)
Georgia is a BU graduate who has gone on to launch some of the best-known shows on television, to audiences around the world. She graduated with a degree in television production in 2005 and began her career at the BBC.
In 2017 she became Head of Amazon Studios, Europe, and Director of European Originals. Having left Amazon in 2022, Georgia is currently lobbying to build a more sustainable and inclusive workforce as Chair of the Screen Sector's Skills Task Force.
Marcus Ryder MBE (Honorary Doctorate of Letters)
Marcus built his career at the BBC as a producer, gaining a reputation for covering under-represented views on important topics.
In 2021 he was appointed Head of External Consultancies at the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity. Since 2023 he has been Chief Executive Officer of The Film and TV Charity, which provides support and talent development programmes to those working in all aspects of film, TV and digital broadcast. Alongside this role, he is also Chair of RADA (The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) where he is helping the institution play an active role in changing the cultural landscape of the UK.
More information on Marcus and Georgia’s awards.
Alison Edgar MBE (Honorary Doctorate of Education)
A champion for inclusivity, Alison believes that nothing should hold you back from achieving your goals, be it age, race, gender or disability.
Having struggled at school due to undiagnosed dyslexia, Alison left with no qualifications but drew on her strong people skills to lead a successful career in hospitality and then corporate sales.
In 2011, Alison launched her own company providing sales, customer service and leadership training. She became known as ‘The Entrepreneur’s Godmother’ by mentoring leading entrepreneurs and advising government on small business issues.
More information on Alison’s award
Tessa Corner (Honorary Fellowship)
Tessa has drawn on her own experiences of addiction and rehabilitation to lead a charity that helps people to recover from drug and alcohol dependency. She is the co-founder and CEO of StreetScene Addiction Recovery, which runs residential treatment centres, accommodation and aftercare services in Bournemouth and Southampton. Tessa has also furthered understanding of addiction through research, where she has collaborated with BU on the topic of digital addiction.
Christopher Ashton (Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration)
Since graduating from BU in 2002, Chris has had a successful career in banking while volunteering to champion diversity and inclusion. After nearly 20 years with Natwest, he is now Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, helping to protect access to cash for ;local communities through a network of cash machines and banking hubs. He is trustee of Bourne Free Pride Festival, co-founder of AFC Bournemouth’s LGBTQ+ supporters group and Co-Chair of the club’s Fan Advisory Board.
Helena Conibear, DL (Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration)
Helena is the founder and CEO of The Talk About Trust which empowers young people to make safer life choices relating to drugs and alcohol. The charity, which reached half a million young people last year, also supports young adults around issues of spiking, a topic on which Helena gave evidence at the House of Commons Select Committee Inquiry, leading to changes in police approaches and updates to the law.
Michael Dooley (Honorary Doctorate of Science)
Michael is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist whose expertise in women’s health has led him to work with elite athletes and to advise the International Olympic Committee on exercise and pregnancy.
As the owner of the Poundbury Clinic in Dorchester and Medical Director of Poundbury Fertility at King Edward VII’s Hospital, Michael provides an integrated, patient-centred approach to women’s healthcare. He is also an ambassador for local communities, having served as High Sheriff of Dorset and raised more than £200,000 for good causes.
