Former University Council Chair to receive Honorary Doctorate

Business leader and former Chair of University Council, Jonathan Thornton OBE, is to receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Huddersfield in recognition of his outstanding contribution to higher education, regional business and the wider community.

The honour will be conferred during the University’s graduation ceremonies taking place from 9 to 13 November 2026.

Mr Thornton has served the University for two decades, having joined its Council, the University’s principal governing body, in 2006. He is also the former Chair of Huddersfield-based healthcare manufacturing group Thornton & Ross.

After six years chairing the Council’s Audit Committee, he became Vice-Chair of Council in 2018 and Chair in 2019, serving in that role until July 2026. Throughout his time on Council, he played an important role in the University’s governance, providing strategic oversight and supporting its long-term development and success. He also chaired the Governance and Membership Committee and served on the Estates and Finance, Remuneration and Honorary Awards Committees.

His contribution to higher education was recognised nationally in June 2026 when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours.

During his tenure as Chair, the University achieved significant national and international recognition, including Gold ratings across all three categories of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), an Outstanding Ofsted judgement for its apprenticeship provision, and recognition as the UK’s Most Improved University in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. In 2025, the University was also ranked first in the world for Reduced Inequalities in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Alongside his service to the University, Mr Thornton has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting businesses, charities and community organisations across Huddersfield and the wider region. He is a Trustee of One Community Foundation, which supports local charities and community organisations across Kirklees, and of the Mrs Sunderland Music Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the country. He has previously been a trustee of a number of local charities including the Colne Valley Museum, which preserves and celebrates the area’s rich industrial and social heritage. His wider civic involvement includes serving as High Sheriff of West Yorkshire in 2020.

Mr Thornton continues to advise businesses across Yorkshire and chairs a pharmaceutical development company.

Professor Bob Cryan CBE DL FREng, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, said: "Jonathan has made an outstanding contribution to the University over the past 20 years. His wise counsel, sound judgement and unwavering commitment to Huddersfield have been invaluable as we have developed into an internationally recognised institution.

"Beyond the University, his generosity and dedication to supporting local businesses and communities exemplify the very best of civic leadership. I am delighted that we are recognising his exceptional contribution with this honorary degree."

The honorary doctorate recognises Mr Thornton's exceptional commitment to the governance and development of the University of Huddersfield, his impact on regional business and his sustained support for the local community.

Each year, the University awards honorary degrees to distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to their professions, communities or wider society.