Honorary awards 2024

Renowned Paralympic athlete Baroness Grey-Thompson has been recognised for her contribution to sports and her advocacy for disability rights.

Tanni was born in July 1969. She has spina bifida and has always advocated for herself, including battling to attend mainstream school. Raised to believe she could achieve anything through hard work, Tanni’s dedication made her a successful athlete and parliamentarian.

At 13, Tanni chose wheelchair racing, winning numerous junior titles. Her Paralympic career spanned from 1988 to 2004, earning 16 Paralympic and 13 world championship medals, six London wheelchair marathon wins, and 30 world records. Post-retirement, she remains committed to sport, serving on various boards and helping bring the 2012 Olympics to London.

She has been awarded a Damehood, MBE, and OBE. In 2010, Tanni became a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, advocating for disability rights, welfare reforms, and sport. Her career exemplifies the power of self-belief, hard work, and advocacy.
 

David Stanton, the Sub-Dean and Canon Treasurer at Westminster Abbey, has been recognised for his contributions to university governance and his efforts in fostering effective links and collaborations. He served as an Independent Governor from 2017 to 2023, participating in the Audit Committee, Finance and Property Committee, HR Committee, and Resources Committee. Additionally, he was Vice-Chair to the Court from 2021 to 2023.

Helen Owen, the Director of Transformation at GambleAware, has been recognised for her contributions to university governance. She served as an Independent Governor at Westminster from 2017 to 2022, participating in the HR Committee, Finance and Property Committee, and Audit Committee. Additionally, she received the civic honour of Southwark Woman of the Year for her services to youth and sport.

Jack Rooke has been recognised for his contributions as a writer, creator, and mental health advocate.

Graduating in 2014 with a BA in Journalism at Westminster, Jack has since supported the university’s events and spoken on mental health. His debut solo show, Good Grief, a comedy-theatre piece about his father’s death, received high praise and was adapted for BBC Radio 4. His second show, Happy Hour, was featured at the Edinburgh Fringe. Jack’s Channel 4 comedy-drama series, Big Boys, inspired by his time at Westminster, explores themes of grief, depression, and friendship, earning him a BAFTA for best comedy writer in 2024.

As a broadcaster, Jack has worked on various projects, including a BBC Arts documentary and as an expert on BBC Radio 1. 

He is also a long-term ambassador for the suicide prevention charity CALM, raising awareness of young people’s mental health struggles. Jack’s achievements and dedication to mental health advocacy make him a deserving recipient of this honorary degree.
 

Levi Roots has been recognised for his contribution as an entrepreneur, musician, author, and celebrated chef.

Born Keith Valentine Graham in Jamaica, Levi was raised by his grandmother, learning Caribbean cooking, while his parents relocated to London during the Windrush migration. At eleven, he moved to London, where he embraced music and later converted to the Rastafari faith, changing his name to Levi Roots.

Levi pursued his passions for music and cooking, performing with legends like James Brown and Bob Marley, and creating his famous sauce. Despite initial setbacks in Brixton, he found success at the Notting Hill Carnival and later Dragon’s Den, securing a £50,000 investment. Levi expanded his brand to include drinks, desserts, and ready meals, and published several cookbooks.

Levi Roots inspires young people through his “school of life” tour and supports various charities. He is an ambassador for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the Prince’s Trust, and champions the development of a National Windrush Museum. Levi is a valued friend of Westminster Business School, regularly engaging with our students.
 

Matthew Smith, a Barrister at Maitland Chambers, has been recognised for his contributions to university governance and his support for the relationship with the Quintin Hogg Trust. He served as an Independent Governor at the University from 2013 to 2022, participating in the Audit Committee and HR Committee, and chaired the Audit Committee from 2018 to 2022.

Philomine Wales has been recognised for her contributions to university governance. Now a retired architect, she served as an Independent Governor from 2017 to 2023, participating in the Finance and Property Committee and the Resources Committee. Additionally, she has been part of the Estate Advisory Group since it was established in 2018.

Professor Geoffrey Guy has been recognised for his contributions as a pharmacologist, physician, businessman, and academic with a remarkable career spanning over three decades.

His extensive experience in medical research and global drug development is highlighted by his role as the physician in charge of more than 350 clinical studies. Additionally, he has authored over 70 scientific publications and contributed to six books, showcasing his profound impact on the field. Notably, he is the co-founder of GW Pharmaceuticals, developing the first cannabis-based medicines approved by the NHS. 

Alongside his wife, Professor Guy established the Guy Foundation, committed to improving health and aimed at exploring the quantum effects in biology and the potential role these effects could play in advancing medicine. The Guy Foundation has supported the University of Westminster by establishing the Quantum Biology Laboratory. Professor Guy’s commitment and financial contributions have significantly advanced research and elevated the university’s reputation, leading to the establishment of a globally recognized lab.
 

Professor Jason Arday has been recognised for his contributions as a social commentator, presenter, and public speaker. He is the 2002 Professorial Chair of Education at the University of Cambridge, making him the youngest-ever Black academic to hold a Professorship at Cambridge. Diagnosed with global development delay and autism spectrum disorder at three, Jason did not speak until eleven or read and write until eighteen.

In July 2021, he became one of the youngest Professors in the UK at the University of Glasgow. Besides holding Honorary and Visiting Professorships at various universities, Jason is a Trustee of the Runnymede Trust and the British Sociological Association, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and sits on the ITV Cultural Advisory Council.

Outside academia, Jason has raised over £5.5 million for 80 national charities, winning numerous awards. His fundraising feats include running 30 marathons in 35 days. In 2023, he was made an Honorary Fellow of the British Science Association, listed 4th on The Shaw Disability Power 100, and was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.

Simon Bryant Wylie, a consultant at the Business Model Co, has been recognised for his contributions to university governance and his efforts with the Regent Street Cinema. Serving as an Independent Governor from 2018 to 2022, he was a member of the Resources Committee. From 2020 to 2022, he held the position of Deputy Chair of the Resources Committee and served as both Member and Chair of the Regent Street Cinema Board from 2019 to 2022.

Sotiris Kyriacou has been recognised for his contribution to the Westminster Business School.

Sotiris’ journey with Westminster Business School began over 20 years ago. Initially involved in securing NHS placement opportunities, this project has facilitated over 300 placements, many leading to NHS careers.

Returning to the University for a Masters, Sotiris earned an MA in Personnel and Development in 2010. His career transitioned from Deputy Director of Finance to a Strategic Development Leadership role for NHS finance staff, utilising coaching skills to drive cultural change.

Sotiris exemplifies the diverse career paths within a single career and the importance of continuous professional development. He has served as a Visiting Lecturer, speaker, workshop leader, and mentor, and contributed to the Employers’ Advisory Board, providing real-world insights for course and employability development. Sotiris has tirelessly offered employment opportunities and guidance, especially to first-generation degree candidates.

During the development of the Business Management (Human Resource Management) BA Honours programme, he facilitated HR and finance placements, even supporting students returning from overseas during the lockdown.