BGU's 2025 Honorary Awardees Announced

Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU) has announced the recipients of its Honorary Awards, which will be presented at upcoming graduation ceremonies at Lincoln Cathedral in late July 2025.

An inspirational speaker, a charity CEO, and an opera singer are among those set to receive honorary awards this summer.

Three awardees are set to receive Honorary Doctorates for their outstanding contributions to academic achievement, social, economic, or cultural life.

One Distinguished Honorary Fellowship will be awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University and public life, alongside one Honorary Fellowship awarded in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the University extending beyond normal responsibilities.

Among the Honorary Doctorate awardees is former Bishop Grosseteste student and now, inspirational speaker, Jaz Ampaw-Farr. She is highly recognised in the education and health sectors for inspiring positive change amongst leaders, and delivered a TEDx Talk on her journey from a difficult childhood to resilience influencer.

Neil Leitch OBE, another recipient of an Honorary Doctorate, is celebrated for his contributions to highlighting the importance of early years within the national education sector.

Since becoming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Early Years Alliance in 2008, the organisation has become one of the largest voluntary sector early years care and education providers in the UK. His notable achievements and contributions include campaigning for fairer early years funding and raising awareness around the mental health and well-being of the early years workforce.

Senior Leader within the not for profit, charity and public sectors, Caroline Killeavy, will also receive an Honorary Doctorate. Her highly impactful leadership career, and gifting of her time to a variety of causes including the Lincoln City Foundation and the National Trust, has resulted in an outstanding contribution to social, economic, and cultural life.

Since accepting the post of CEO at YMCA Lincolnshire seven years ago, she has led the development of award-winning new accommodation for those experiencing homelessness, new services and facilities for young people and families, and protected the future of three Lincolnshire based charities, by facilitating successful mergers.

Receiving a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship is Dr. Stephen Hopkins - a previous lecturer of Bishop Grosseteste who has since had a distinguished career in education, leadership, and governance spanning several decades. His previous roles include a headteacher, an Ofsted inspector and a regional advisor for the Department for Education (DfE).

As the founding director of Touchstone Development Ltd, Stephen continues to work as an education consultant, specialising in safeguarding, leadership, and governance.

His volunteer work for the National Governance Association (NGA) includes roles as a magistrate, prison visitor, and client support worker. Additionally, he is a trained counsellor and dedicates one day a week to working with the NWCH in Lincoln.

Thomas D. Hopkinson is set to receive an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his continued contributions to the University extending beyond normal responsibilities.

Having originally attended Bishop Grosseteste as an Education Studies and Music student in 2007, Thomas pursued a career in singing as a principal opera singer, working with a variety of institutions throughout his career, including The Royal Opera.

Never forgetting his education routes, Thomas also works as a Vocal Coach and Vocal Animateur to help raise the profile of music and the arts, at both grass roots and community levels. He particularly enjoys giving back to the University and regularly sings with the BGU choir.

Bishop Grosseteste University Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Gower said: "As graduation season is approaching, I am pleased to share this year’s Honorary Doctorate and Honorary Fellowship recipients.

“These distinguished individuals are being honoured for their significant contributions to academic, social, economic, or cultural life and their personal reflection of the values of our institution throughout their inspiring journeys.

“Their contributions continue to inspire us and stand as shining examples of excellence for our entire community. We eagerly anticipate honouring their achievements and welcoming them into the distinguished circle of our honorary awardees."

The awards will be presented during graduation celebrations on Wednesday 30^th and Thursday 31^st July at Lincoln’s Cathedral. Awardees were nominated by current BGU students, staff, and University Council members.

More information about each recipient can be found here.