Trailblazers in science and charity awarded honorary degrees
Trailblazers from the fields of charity and science have been awarded Honorary Degrees by the University of Nottingham.
David Woolger, Susan Carter MBE, Dr Simon Hirst and Ian Kenyon joined more than 7,000 students at their graduation ceremonies at the University which ran from 23 July to 1 August.
Honorary degrees are granted in recognition of someone’s outstanding contribution, success and distinction within their profession or a campaign close to their hearts, with previous graduates including Vicky McClure, Marie Ashby, and Professor Sir Jonathan Van-Tam.
David Woolger, the CEO of University Spin-out company Cerca was awarded a Doctor of Letters. David is CEO of Cerca Magnetics Ltd. which he formed in 2020 with a vision to take a prototype brain scanner, pioneered by Nottingham physicists, from concept to commercialisation. Cerca has now evolved into a multi-million-pound business with global reach, and scanners are providing clinicians worldwide with an unprecedented window on brain health.
David is also Managing Director of technology company, MSL, whose turnover has increased five-fold in 12 years under Davids leadership. Before this, he was a Management Consultant at Deloitte. He is a key figure in our national quantum technology programme and regularly advises government on technology development.
Susan Carter, MBE is the co-founder, with her daughter Jessie, of Pulp Friction, a charity that supports learning disabled and autistic people to develop social, independence and work-readiness skills. She received a Doctor of Laws.
Pulp Friction has transformed lives, reshaped perceptions, and strengthened communities by championing inclusion and creating meaningful opportunities for its members. The work extends beyond direct support—Jill has cultivated a movement of visibility, empowerment, and social change.
University alumni and scientist Dr Simon Hirst will receive a Doctor of Science. Simon is the CEO and founder of Sygnature Discovery, a world-leading integrated drug discovery solutions provider. He graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc (Hons.) in Chemistry and a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry in 1988 and went on to undertake post-doctoral research at the University of Pittsburgh.
The medicinal chemist and entrepreneur has 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including AstraZeneca and OSI Pharmaceuticals. In 2004 he founded Sygnature, which has grown to rapidly become a leading provider of drug discovery services and delivers a unique style of innovation and scientific rigour, a reflection of Simon’s own personal approach to drug discovery
Ian Kenyon has spent the latter part of his career in the not-for-profit sector, becoming CFO of Cancer Research UK in 2013.
He joined the Higher Education sector as the first CFO and Deputy CEO of UK Research & Innovation, before moving to be a Finance Director at the Ministry of Defence.
Ian was appointed Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee for the University in January 2020. He has maintained his relationship with the university throughout his career and is currently sponsoring engineering scholarships which supports the University’s widening participation programme. He has received a Doctor of Laws.
Professor Jane Norman, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham said: “Huge congratulations to our Honorary Graduates, their endeavours and achievements are leading the way in medical innovation and social change. Their vision and determination is an inspiration for our graduates as they embark on their own career journeys.”