This year, the University will honour some of its alumni, notable individuals from the South West area and key figures who have made a significant contribution within their field and to society, nationally and internationally. Read our news story Musical superstar and mental health champion Will Young honoured by the University of Exeter.
Honorary graduates
Josh Widdicombe
Josh Widdicombe is a highly popular comedian, presenter and actor, originally from Devon. He has starred in thirty series of the multi award-winning Channel 4 series The Last Leg, as team captain on Sky Max’s show Rob Beckett’s Smart TV and alongside Nish Kumar on Hold the Front Page.
Dougie Scarfe OBE DL
Having held senior roles as both administrator, educator and performer in a career spanning over three decades, Dougie is currently Chief Executive at Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) where he has led transformational change since 2012. He was formerly Chorus & Orchestra Director and Concerts Director at Opera North, where he began his career as a professional horn player.
General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen
Born in Tidworth Garrison military hospital and raised in Norway, Gibraltar and Iraq, General Sir Patrick Sanders was commissioned in 1986 and spent his early service as an Infantry Officer in The Royal Green Jackets in Germany, Norway and the UK. He has commanded on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Will Young
Will Young, the singer, songwriter and actor studied politics at the University prior to being voted the original Pop Idol winner in 2001 and the launch of his successful career. Will released his debut album in 2002 and in the two decades since has achieved six chart topping albums, two BRIT Awards, four UK number one singles and hits including Leave Right Now, Evergreen and Jealousy.
Cush Jumbo OBE
Cush Jumbo OBE, born in South London, graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama in 2006 before embarking on an acting, writing and producing career. In 2013, Jumbo performed in her self-penned play Josephine and I, a one-woman play about jazz singer Josephine Baker, which premiered at the Bush Theatre, London and transferred to The Public Theater in New York.
Tom Chapman
The multi award winning Tom Chapman is an author, barber, educator, ambassador, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Lions Barber Collective, an international network of barbers who have come together to help raise awareness for the prevention of suicide.
Damon Albarn OBE
Musical polymath Damon Albarn is one of the UK’s most prolific and influential artists. The creative force on over 40 albums: band projects, solo albums, collaborations, operas and film soundtracks and recipient of 6 Brits, 2 Ivor Novellos and a Grammy.
Professor Sir Robert Tony Watson CMG FRS
Sir Robert Tony Watson is one of the most influential environmental scientists worldwide, contributing to multiple assessments of sciences to inform international and national policies and actions. His research interests include biodiversity and ecosystem services, agriculture, climate change, and stratospheric ozone.
Rachel Skinner CBE FREng FICE
Rachel Skinner is an Executive Director at WSP, a global company that provides engineering, environmental and advisory services. Prior to this, she led WSP’s UK transport planning and advisory team.
Dr Alex George
Dr Alex George is a presenter, best-selling author, and Youth Mental Health Ambassador to the government. He is also the co-founder of Mettle, the mental fitness app for men.
Alex has become a well-known and respected figure amongst healthcare professionals in the UK, from his years as an A&E doctor, bringing the nation accessible and reassuring advice directly from the frontline throughout the pandemic.
Stephen Catlin
Stephen Catlin began his insurance career in 1973. He founded Catlin Underwriting Agencies Limited in 1984, which later became part of Catlin Group Limited. Stephen served as Catlin Group's Chief Executive throughout its history and also served as the active underwriter of Lloyd's Syndicate 1003 and later Syndicate 2003 until May 2003.
Emeritus Professor Desmond Walling
One of the world’s most eminent Geography scholars, Des Walling arrived in Exeter as a student in 1963 and was both an undergraduate and postgraduate (PhD) in the Geography Department. He became an Assistant Lecturer in 1968, retiring as a Professor in 2010.
» Josh Widdicombe
Josh Widdicombe, comedian, presenter and actor, was honoured for his outstanding contribution in the field of the performing arts.
» Will Young
Will Young, singer, songwriter, actor and mental health advocate, was honoured for his outstanding achievements in the field of entertainment and awareness around mental health.
» Cush Jumbo OBE
Cush Jumbo OBE, actor, writer and producer, was honoured for her outstanding achievements in the field of drama.
» Damon Albarn OBE
Damon Albarn OBE, singer, songwriter and producer, was honoured for his outstanding contribution in the field of music.
» Rachel Skinner CBE FREng FICE
Rachel Skinner CBE FREng FICE, civil engineer, fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and honorary fellow of the Society for the Environment, was honoured for her outstanding achievements in the field of engineering.
