Buckingham’s Honorary Graduates

Over the years, The University has been pleased to confer honorary degrees to a wide range of distinguished individuals from all walks of life, who have made major contributions in their particular field. This includes people from academic life, politics, law and society in general, both within the UK and internationally. We are particularly delighted that some of our honorary degrees have been conferred upon our former students.

On this page you will find details of our 2024 honorary graduates, and details of honorary graduates going back to the early years of The University.

2025 Honorary Graduates

View the most recent honorary graduates of The University of Buckingham below:

Professor Achyuta Samanta, Doctor of Science, honoris causa

Graduation portrait photograph of Professor Achyunta Samanta With just Rs 5000 in his pocket, Professor Achyuta Samanta started KIIT (Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology) and KISS (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences) in two rented houses. Today, these institutions are beacons of hope, providing world-class education, decorated with all possible national and international accolades and global reputation. KIIT has become one of the most sought-after universities in India for professional education. It currently has 40,000 students and representation from 65 countries. KISS is a ray of hope for tribals, providing education, healthcare, sports, and vocational training to 80,000 disadvantaged students – all fully free in a residential campus.

KISS has made a huge impact in arresting naxalism, harassment, trafficking, malnutrition, illiteracy, and superstitions by promoting education. He has founded Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences and Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, besides an attached 2600 bedded state-of-the-art hospital, a super-specialty center and a cancer care hospital.

Through his institutions, he has nurtured 23 Olympians and three Paralympians, created a massive sports infrastructure and promoted sports persons – contributing to physical fitness, national unity, and social integration. His humanitarian efforts have touched countless lives.

Professor Achyuta Samanta’s life story is one of inspiration and hope. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and the power of hard work, perseverance, and social responsibility to transform lives and create a better world. His unwavering commitment to the betterment of society, both as a policymaker and a social activist, serves as a shining example for one and all.

Brian Clegg, Doctor of Science, honoris causa

Graduation portrait photograph of Brian Clegg Born in Rochdale, Lancashire, UK, Brian attended the Manchester Grammar School, then read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University. After graduating, he gained an MA in Operational Research at Lancaster University joining British Airways. In 1994 he left BA to set up a creativity consultancy, running courses on the development of ideas and the solution of business problems. His clients included the BBC, the Met Office, Sony, GlaxoSmithKline, the Treasury, Royal Bank of Scotland and many others.

Brian now concentrates on writing popular science books, including A Brief History of Infinity, Cracking Quantum Physics and Brainjacking. He has also written regularly for magazines and newspapers, from Nature and BBC Focus to The Times and The Observer. His books have been translated into many languages, including German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Polish, Turkish, Norwegian, and Indonesian.

Brian has given sell-out lectures at the Royal Institution in London and has spoken at venues from the University of Buckingham to Cheltenham Festival of Science. He has also contributed to radio and TV programmes, most recently on Newsnight discussing electric cars. Brian is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Bristol.

Doctor Anita Devi, Doctor of Education, honoris causa

Graduation portrait photograph of Dr Anita Devi As a PT SENCO (current), former Senior Leader SENCO, School Improvement Advisor, and local authority SEND Advisory Teacher and Healthwatch Trustee, Dr Anita Devi carries a wealth of experience in developing Leaders of Learning. Her own contribution to education spans more than four decades with teaching experience in early years through to post grad in the UK and overseas.

Anita lives her why through her belief in the joy of learning. Awarded the Excellence in Education Award in 2011, Anita went on in 2017 to receive the prestigious international Influential Educational Leaders Award for her work on the SEND Leadership Pipeline strategy. This is about developing professionals to have a deep working appreciation of special educational needs and disability in the classroom from initial teacher training through to advanced and experienced leaders. In 2023, Anita’s team won the National MAT Give Back Award. Anita is author of the first SEND book for Early Career Teachers (2021) and has contributed to several other publications, including Take Time for SENCOs (2016) and Journey to the Heart of SENCO Wellbeing (2022).

Anita submitted her PhD thesis on the career trajectory of a SENCO (beyond the induction qualification) in December 2021, passing her qualifying PhD viva in early 2022. Her thesis has now been published in 2024, as a practical book for the sector to grow from. Also published this year in 2025 is the book ‘Neuroplasticity and Neurodiversity in the Classroom’; another first in terms of pedagogical dialogue for practitioners.

Currently a Changemaker Education Consultant & Founding CEO of #TeamADL as well as project lead for #365Send, Anita stretches the boundaries of what is possible in the field of special educational needs, disability, and inclusion. She remains faithful to pursuing the ‘joy of learning’ for all.

Anthony V. Martin CBE Education, Doctor of Education, honoris causa

Graduation portrait photograph of Anthony Martin CBE Tony Martin was born in the UK but lived for over twenty years in California working in the banking industry before finding his true forte in the recruitment and staffing industry. After a long and distinguished career building international companies, he finally returned to the UK and ran the international recruitment group Empresaria PLC as Chairman until 2023 when he retired.

In 2001, Tony set up the Anthony V. Martin Charitable Foundation and endowed it entirely with his own funds. To date is has distributed over £10 million to charities here and around the world working to improve people’s care and respect for animals through education, changes to cultural beliefs and legislation. The Foundation has funded people to qualify as veterinarians, paid for programmes to vaccinate street dogs against rabies and neuter to restrict stray populations. It has supported the building of many animal shelters, rescue centres and sanctuaries – from China to Cornwall.

Tony spends his time these days running the Foundation from his home in the Chiltern Hills and walking his rescue dog, Winston, who is loved by all who are fortunate to meet him.

Previous Honorary Graduates

Details of honorary graduates going back to the early years of the University can be found below:

Honorary graduates 2021-2024