News

Special recognition for honorary graduates

26 Jul 2024

5 minutes

University awards honorary degrees and a commemorative medal

Dame Janet Smith DBE was presented with a Commemorative Medal

As Manchester Metropolitan’s 2024 Graduations draw to a close, the University has awarded its latest honorary graduates and a Commemorative Medal recipient.

Each year, the University recognises individuals that merit special recognition for their work and services by granting them honorary awards during its Graduation ceremonies. The latest recipients are:

Mick Hucknall

Mick Hucknall has been awarded a Doctor of Arts degree in recognition of his contribution to music worldwide.

Manchester-born Mick Hucknall who graduated from Manchester Met’s Manchester School of Art, then known as Manchester Polytechnic, with a BA in Fine Art in 1981, is the internationally acclaimed lead singer and songwriter of Simply Red.

The band have been performing internationally for almost 40 years, selling more than 50 million albums, and achieving an impressive 30 top 40 UK hits. Hucknall also has a successful solo career, and is one of the founders of the reggae label Blood and Fire.

He received an Ivor Novello Award in 1992 and was named as songwriter of the year, before winning an Outstanding Achievement award from MOBO Awards (Music of Black Origin) in 1997.

Alongside his musical success, Hucknall has supported several philanthropic causes and has helped numerous charities including Amnesty International, Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, SOS Children’s Villages, St Mungo’s, and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Professor Emeritus Stephen T. Whittle

Professor Emeritus Stephen T. Whittle has been awarded a Doctor of Laws in recognition of his pioneering work on transgender rights.

Professor Whittle started his academic career teaching Family Lives and Social Policy with the Open University. He joined Manchester Met as a lecturer in Law in 1993.

He has advised on transgender rights and law to the UK, Scottish, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Hong Kong, and South African governments, as well as the European Union and Commission, and the Council of Europe.

Professor Whittle has received numerous awards for his work on transgender rights, including the Human Rights Award from Liberty, the Law Society and Justice on behalf of the UK’s Human Rights Legal Profession for his contribution to the law recognising the Human Rights of Transgender People in 2002.

In 2014 he received the American Bar Association’s Stonewall Award for his contribution to ‘removing barriers and championing diversity for the LGBT community, both within the legal profession and impacting the greater human universe’, and in 2014 became an Elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Linda Merrick CBE

Professor Linda Merrick CBE has been awarded a Doctor of Education degree in recognition to her contributions to music and higher educations and her commitment to the region.

Linda is Principal of the Royal Northen College of Music (RNCM) and internationally renowned clarinet soloist. She has released over 40 solo CDs and performed internationally in America, Australia, China, the UAE and throughout Europe.

She has given over twenty years’ service to the RNCM, joining first as Director of Performance Studies and Senior Tutor in clarinet in 2001. Since becoming Principal in 2013, Professor Merrick has grown both the reputation and profile of the College. The RNCM is now recognised as one of the top UK conservatoires for research excellence.

As Chair of Conservatoires UK (CUK), Linda leads the UK’s network, working with them to develop best practice for training and education in performing arts and to promote the sector’s excellence nationally and globally.

Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE

Professor David Croisdale Appleby OBE has been awarded a Doctor of Health Degree in recognition of his extensive involvement in health and social care policy.

David is an inspirational national and international high-profile leader in the world of medical and clinical education and training, health and social care, public health, social work, regulation, professional representation, and social justice.

He has had successful careers in the private, public and third sectors and this synthesis of experience has been the platform for a transforming agenda in the organisations he leads and serves in the public and third sectors.

David’s experience demonstrates his values of social inclusion, social equity, and social justice. He is a social reformer and thought leadership figure with extensive national and international networks in the clinical arena, amongst educationalists, opinion-formers, the media and government policymakers.

Dame Janet Smith DBE

Dame Janet Smith DBE has received a Commemorative medal in recognition of her achievements in law and contribution to the development of the University.

The Commemorative Medal was established to coincide with our 200th anniversary and is our highest award. It is presented on an exceptional basis to individuals who are global leaders in their field and who have delivered outstanding and sustained contribution to our University.

Dame Janet is a highly respected former Judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal. She was called to the Bar in 1972 and practised in Manchester for 20 years, specialising in the areas of personal injuries and clinical negligence.

In 2002, Dame Janet was the fourth woman to be promoted to the Court of Appeal. As a High Court Judge, she presided over many notable criminal and civil cases. She has also been responsible for a number of high-profile inquiries including the abuse of children at Scotforth House in Lancaster 1992, the Shipman Inquiry from 2001 to 2005 and in October 2012 she was commissioned by the BBC to conduct an inquiry into Jimmy Savile and to review the culture and practices of the BBC during the years he worked there.

Dame Janet is also an Honorary Doctor of Laws and was Chancellor of Manchester Met from 2003 to 2008.