Honorary Awards

Honouring A Lifetime Of Support

Graduation week is always a time of celebration – and this year, we were proud to award Honorary Degrees to a distinguished group of individuals who have made lasting contributions to society and the UEA community. Among them were Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE and Koolesh Shah (ECO73), long-standing UEA supporters whose values and actions closely align with UEA’s commitment to positive change.

Both are passionate advocates for community and opportunity – values at the heart of UEA’s mission – and both have committed themselves to improving lives in ways that inspire our graduates and the wider university community.

A champion of compassion and curiosity

Lady Dannatt, Norfolk’s first female Lord-Lieutenant, received an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law. She has spent a lifetime helping others. From supporting mental health charities and military families to volunteering with grassroots causes across the region, her work is rooted in compassion and care. As Patron of The Gloucester 1682 Charitable Trust, she also plays an important role in UEA’s work to explore and share Norfolk’s maritime history.

Speaking to graduates, Lady Dannatt reflected on the quiet power of curiosity as an enduring force for good in an increasingly complex world.

“Never lose that gift of curiosity, please. It was that which brought you to these doors – the desire to ask not just ‘what is?’, but ‘what if?’”

- Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE

She reminded students that thoughtful questions and a willingness to keep learning are key to making sound moral decisions, something needed more than ever in today’s complex and increasingly interconnected world. She encouraged graduates to step forward with courage, curiosity and joy, bringing their creativity and integrity into whatever comes next.

Lady Dannatt’s words, and her lifelong record of compassionate leadership reflect the values UEA seeks to honour: a deep commitment to humanity, humility and helping others thrive.

A belief in lifting others as you climb

Koolesh Shah, a UEA graduate, award-winning hotelier, and founder of the London Town Group, also received an Honorary Doctorate of Civil Law. He has built a career focused on creating opportunity— not just for himself, but for others. Through the Koolesh Shah Family Foundation, he supports those facing homelessness, mental health challenges and educational disadvantage. He also provides scholarships and mentoring for students from underrepresented backgrounds, including for the UEA University of Sanctuary scheme.

In his speech, Koolesh reflected on his journey from a nervous student to a successful entrepreneur. He shared how his time at UEA helped spark the confidence that shaped his future. He explained his mission has always been about people:

"Behind the numbers and the buildings, my mission has been about people – about building communities, not just properties, and creating opportunity, not just income."

- Koolesh Shah

He spoke passionately to graduates about the importance of lifting others as you climb – a value that underpins his work through the Koolesh Shah Family Foundation.

He reminded graduates that real success is not measured by what you accumulate, but by what you give back and how you help others grow. It's a message that reflects UEA’s commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive future.

We are proud to count both Lady Dannatt and Koolesh Shah among UEA’s most committed champions, and delighted to see them recognised this year.

Other honorary degrees were awarded to:

• Nina Nannar, ITV News Arts Editor (Doctor of Letters)

• Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner (Doctor of Civil Law)

• Thomas Sharpe KC, barrister and expert in competition and European law (Doctor of Laws)

Congratulations to them, and to all of this year’s graduates!