LSBU awards honorary degrees to eight outstanding individuals
Tony Bates and Jason Arday are among eight individuals who will receive honorary fellowships and degrees as part of our winter graduation ceremonies in October. The honorary degrees recognise the awardees’ invaluable contributions to education, technological innovation, race inclusion as well as advocacy for our Croydon communities.
Professor Jason Arday, Honorary Fellowship of South Bank Colleges
Jason Arday received a Fellowship for his dedication to democratising higher education and improving education access for marginalised communities. Unable to speak until he was 11 and read or write until he was 18, he became one of the youngest people ever appointed to a full professorship at Oxbridge and is now Professor of Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge.
His research spans education, social mobility, mental health and race and he engages in schemes and interventions that improve education access for marginalised communities. He is a long-standing trustee of the Runnymede Trust – the UK’s leading race equality thinktank – and has conducted research into black students’ experiences across universities and the enduring effects of racial discrimination. He continues to lobby for the National Curriculum to include the contribution of Black British history.
Tony Bates, Doctorate
Tony is a leading figure in global technological innovation. His lifelong passion for technology was sparked as an apprentice engineer at LSBU where he taught himself to code during his daily train commute. Currently serving as Chairman and CEO of Silicon Valley tech giant Genes, he has two annual scholarships bearing his name offered in the School of Engineering.
Dame Jo da Silva, Doctorate
Dame Jo da Silva has earned global recognition applying her knowledge and design expertise to improve safety, promote inclusivity and enhance the resilience of communities, cities and infrastructure.
As Global Director of Sustainable Development at Arup, she leads the firm’s activities to address the climate, biodiversity and equity crises through creating safe, inclusive and resilient communities while safeguarding the planet.
Her humanitarian relief efforts and contribution to international development were first recognised with an OBE in 2011 and she was made a Dame in 2021.
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (Doctor of University)
Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a lawyer and activist, has dedicated her life to advocating for women’s rights, race inclusion and political reform. Dr Shola advises policymakers on gender, diversity and inclusion, promotes female and BAME leadership through talks in universities and secondary schools. She also founded Women in Leadership magazine to spotlight inspiring female leaders.
Andrew Brown, Honorary Fellowship
Andrew Brown is a visionary. As CEO of Croydon BME Forum, he works tirelessly to support Croydon’s black and minority ethnic voluntary and community sector to tackle social, cultural and health inequalities and provide a better quality of life for residents.
Under his leadership, the Forum has established two community centres to provide health and wellbeing resources to local people and led key campaigns aimed at tackling ethnic inequalities in health and social care, including a UK-first project to train South London barbershops to provide free, on-the-spot blood pressure checks.
Mr Alton Brown, Honorary Fellowship
Alton Brown has been awarded an honorary Fellowship of University for his dedication to helping children, young people and communities find their passion through physical activity, sport and the creative arts. As LSBU alumni, he is a former Olympic pathway athlete who juggled LSBU studies alongside representing England and Jamaica on the world stage. He has since dedicated his career to helping children, young people and communities remove inequalities and deliver positive social change impact in the community.
Reverend Steve Chalke, Honorary Fellowship
Reverend Steve Chalke was awarded an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to reducing social exclusion and working to end poverty, inequality and injustice.
He is a Baptist minister, social activist and charity fundraiser who founded the Oasis Charitable Trust which works across three continents in nine countries to deliver housing, education, healthcare, training and family support services. The charity also champions black and minority ethnic and LGBT rights, and to put an end to human trafficking. He is a three-time Guinness World Record-winning charity fundraiser.
In 2004, he was awarded an MBE for his services to charity.
Felicia Kwaku OBE, Doctorate
Felicia Kwaku, a frontline NHS nurse and hospital manager, has been awarded a Doctorate for her exceptional leadership. Her passion for patient-centred care and commitment to staff wellbeing has enhanced patient care and addressed emerging challenges. As Associate Director of Nursing at King’s College Hospital, London, she is helping the NHS implement services that are fit for the future and culturally appropriate.
Felicity was awarded an OBE for her work highlighting Covid-19’s disproportionate impact on BME staff. She is Chair of NHS England’s Black and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group.
To find out more about our Honorary Awards Ceremonies please visit our dedicated page.