Honorary degree recipients for November 2025 revealed
Two key figures in health and education are to receive Honorary Doctorates from the University of Huddersfield at graduation ceremonies in November 2025.
Mark Fisher CBE, CEO for NHS Greater Manchester and Professor Didier Jourdan, Co-Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair “Global Health and Education”, will both be honoured by the University this winter.
They will receive their Honorary awards alongside this year’s graduating students at ceremonies that take place throughout the week beginning 10 November.
Mark Fisher CBE
CEO of NHS Greater Manchester
Mark moved to his current role in 2022 following an extensive career in the civil service
Mark began his career in the civil service and went on to hold such roles as Director in the Benefits Agency, Board Director of Jobcentre Plus, Chief Executive of the Sector Skills Development Agency, and Labour Market Director in the Department for Work and Pensions during the 2009 recession.
He was the Director of the Office for Civil Society at the Cabinet Office, where he was responsible for social action, social investment, support for charities, business partnerships and youth policy.
For six years, Mark held the position of Director General in the Cabinet Office and served as Secretary to the Grenfell Tower Public Inquiry, before taking on his current role as Chief Executive Officer for NHS Greater Manchester in 2022.
Mark's contributions have been recognised with a CBE, which he received in 2010. He now lives in Holmfirth.
Professor Didier Jourdan
Co-Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair “Global Health and Education”
Didier is a Professor at the University of Clermont Auvergne in France, which, alongside the University of Huddersfield, co-hosts the UNESCO Chair GHE
As well as being a Professor at the University of Clermont Auvergne, Didier is the Co-Chair Holder of the UNESCO Chair “Global Health and Education”, Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for “Research in Education and Health”, and Vice-President of the International Union of Health Promotion and Education.
He is a leading European expert in public health, advising organisations, NGOs, and the private sector on new directions and innovations in fields, including children and adolescent health.
He is the former Director of the Prevention and Health Promotion Division of Public Health France, where he was responsible for the implementation of national policies and support for regional policies on prevention, health education, risk reduction and health promotion. He also served as President of the “Prevention, Education and Health Promotion” Commission of the French High Council for Public Health.
Didier holds the title of Officier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques, the highest national honour awarded in France for contributions to education.
Each year the University of Huddersfield bestows honorary degrees on notable individuals who have attained success and recognition in their chosen field.
For details on how to submit a nomination for a future award, please click here.