Jill Halfpenny and Mark Wood Among Honorary Degree Recipients
Northumbria University will award honorary degrees to 14 inspirational individuals during its summer graduation ceremonies, running from July 8 to July 15, 2026. The honorees include Geordie actress Jill Halfpenny, England cricketer Mark Wood, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Peter Straughan, among others recognised for achievements in screen and stage, sport, science, business, law, and the creative arts.
Jill Halfpenny: From Byker Grove to Olivier Award Winner
Jill Halfpenny, 50, from Gateshead, first gained fame at age 14 as Nicola Dobson in Byker Grove. She later starred in Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Waterloo Road, and recently appeared in thrillers including The Holiday, Girl Taken, Number One Fan, and The Feud. In 2011, she won an Olivier Award for her West End role in Legally Blonde and triumphed in the second series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004. She will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters for her contribution to British television and theatre, and for sharing her personal story to help others.
“I was absolutely thrilled to find out that I had been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Northumbria University,” Halfpenny said. “Growing up in Gateshead and still living in the North East, to receive this degree from a local University was an honour and I'll be proudly displaying the certificate pride of place!”
Mark Wood: Ashes Winner and World Cup Champion
Cricketer Mark Wood, 36, from Ashington, Northumberland, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science. He has played internationally for England in all formats, claiming two of cricket's most prestigious honours: the Ashes and the Cricket World Cup. Representing Durham, Wood has overcome multiple serious injuries to become one of England's most recognised fast bowlers. He remains active at Ashington Cricket Club, coaching and supporting junior players.
“I was absolutely delighted to receive the Honorary Doctorate of Science from Northumbria University,” Wood said. “It was a real privilege to be recognised by a university so close to home, and it meant a great deal to me personally given my roots in the North East.”
Other Notable Honorees
Peter Straughan, the Gateshead-born Academy Award-winning screenwriter behind Conclave and the Wolf Hall TV adaptations, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters. Paul Chipperton, a Northumbria chemistry graduate and life science entrepreneur, will be awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science. Michael Chaplin, a writer for theatre, radio, and television, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Letters. Louise Pentland, Chief Legal Officer at Adobe and Northumbria law graduate, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.
Linda Conlon, Chief Executive of the Centre for Life, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Science. Juliet de Baubigny OBE, a Northumbria graduate and venture capital investor in companies including Airbnb, Google, and Uber, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. Dr Rachel Carr OBE, CEO of education charity IntoUniversity, will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.
Claire Lynch, a costume designer known for Call the Midwife, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. Chris K Jones, entrepreneur and novelist, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. Ben Ridgway and Jamie Cooke, co-founders of iamproperty, will each receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law. Su Cumming, a pioneer in North East sport and co-founder of StreetGames, will receive an Honorary Doctor of Civil Law.
University Leadership Comments
Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria University, said: “Honorary degrees recognise the very best of what people can achieve, and this year's recipients embody that in every sense - outstanding individuals, innovators and trailblazers who have reached the highest levels of their fields. What makes this moment even more special is how many of them started right here at Northumbria. To see former students return as honorary graduates, having taken the North East's name onto the world stage, is a powerful reminder to our Class of 2026 of just how far their own journeys could take them.”
