Former Health Secretary Sir Jeremy Hunt and acclaimed sculptor Andy Edwards are to receive honorary degrees from University of Staffordshire
While their achievements span vastly different fields, both honorary graduates share a commitment to excellence and to making a lasting impact.
The pair will be awarded the University’s highest honour at its Autumn Awards ceremonies this month, alongside hundreds of graduating students.
Sir Jeremy Hunt has served as a Member of Parliament since 2005 and has held several cabinet roles. He was the longest serving Secretary of State for Health in history, from 2012 to 2018, and will become an Honorary Doctor of the University (Hon DUniv) in recognition of his sustained commitment to improving patient safety.
Driven by the Frances Enquiry report into the Mid-Staffs Hospital failings, Sir Jeremy went on to overhaul the inspection regime for health providers and to introduce a new duty of candor on staff and new rules to support whistle-blowing.
He introduced a new model of learning from patient safety incidents, shifting the focus to correcting systems rather than identifying individuals at fault. He has written two significant books on patient safety and established Patient Safety Watch, a charity focused on improving outcomes within the NHS.
His advocacy for patient safety closely aligns with University of Staffordshire. It is a long-established provider of healthcare training for professions across the sector and has pioneered simulation-based healthcare education, using immersive technologies to explore and develop new patient safety techniques.
In 2020, the University also launched the first MSc in Human Factors for Patient Safety and established the research group ReSNET (Research into Safety in health and social care Network) to improve safety in health and social care settings.
Fellow honorary degree recipient Andy Edwards is a University of Staffordshire alumnus and internationally renowned sculptor who will become Doctor of Arts honoris causa (Hon Darts).
Andy has created and installed more than 50 bronze statues and public sculptures including statues of The Beatles and Bob Marley in Liverpool, and the Bee Gees in the Isle of Man.
One of his most celebrated works, the Staffordshire Saxon, is inspired by the world-famous Staffordshire Hoard and is on display at The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley. He has also created works of significant civic importance such as the Queen Elizabeth II statue in Newcastle-under-Lyme, unveiled to mark the borough’s 850th anniversary, Sir Stanley Matthews in Stoke and musician Lemmy in Burslem – attracting huge crowds and public acclaim.
Andy says the work he is most proud of is the 1914 Christmas Truce monument, gifted by him and Castle Foundry to the city of Messines, Flanders, to mark 100 years since soldiers from opposing sides spontaneously stopped fighting, exchanged gifts, songs and played football in no man's land.
Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, said: “While their achievements span vastly different fields, both honorary graduates share a commitment to excellence and to making a lasting impact.
“Sir Jeremy Hunt has been instrumental in transforming how patient safety is prioritised and managed, reflecting the core principles instilled in healthcare students here at University of Staffordshire.
“Andy Edwards’s artworks are admired around the world, but he remains a proud alumnus of our University, who is deeply connected to his roots in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. His sculptures capture powerful narratives and resonate deeply with community pride and collective memory, enriching our public spaces.
“It is a privilege to celebrate their successes alongside our Class of 2026, and I hope their stories encourage our graduates to pursue their own ambitions and make a positive contribution to society.”
University of Staffordshire's Autumn Awards 2026 graduation ceremonies will take place at its Stoke-on-Trent campus, between Monday 9 and Friday 13 November 2026.