Sir Alan Bates
Former Sub-Postmaster - for Public Service
Despite being an unlikely campaigning hero, Sir Alan Bates, a former sub-postmaster from Llandudno, has dedicated two decades to advocating for justice and clearing the names of Post Office managers involved in what is considered to be the most extensive miscarriage of justice in UK history.
Sir Alan founded the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance (JSFA) in 2009, playing a leading role in the legal battle to seek justice for those whose lives were adversely affected and to ensure compensation for those wrongly accused.
With five others from the JFSA, he took the Post Office to court on behalf of 555 claimants.
Noel Thomas
Former Sub-Postmaster - for Public Service
Noel Thomas, a former sub-postmaster from Anglesey, gained recognition for his significant role in addressing the widespread miscarriage of justice known as the Horizon scandal in the UK.
Engaging in a prolonged legal battle, he campaigned alongside others to clear the names of Post Office sub-postmasters who faced criminal convictions due to faulty accounting software.
His commitment to seeking justice for those affected by the scandal exemplifies his resilience and determination to expose the truth.
Manon Steffan Ros
Writer – for Contribution to Welsh Culture, Language, Music, and the Arts
Manon Steffan Ros is a prominent Welsh novelist, playwright, scriptwriter, and musician who holds a significant role in the Welsh Language literary sphere. Last year, Manon was awarded the Yoto Carnegie Medal for her work 'The Blue Book of Nebo’, a translation by Manon of her own novel, Llyfr Glas Nebo, which won the Prose Medal at the 2018 National Eisteddfod and three Wales Book of the Year Awards.
Linda Gittins MBE
Musician and composer – for her Contribution to Welsh Culture, Language, Music, and the Arts
Linda Gittins MBE, an alumna of Bangor University, co-founded Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn in 1981 and is renowned for producing some of Wales’ best and most iconic theatre shows. Collaborating with Penri Roberts and the late Derec Williams, she has written and produced numerous stage productions. In so doing, she has supported and shaped the careers of many young talents and her music is familiar to several generations.
Joan Edwards OBE
Marine Biologist – for Outstanding Scholarship and Innovation
Alumna Joan Edwards, Head of Living Seas at The Wildlife Trusts, has spent over 30 years campaigning, informing and influencing behind the scenes, to protect the diversity of marine life around our shores. She has a substantial knowledge of marine biodiversity, marine ecosystems, and maritime industries and within the Trusts, has responsibility for the national policy on marine conservation.
Mark Williams PLY
Former Paralympic Swimmer –for Business and Entrepreneurship
Former Paralympic swimmer and medallist Mark Williams transformed an idea for colourful prosthetic leg covers into an innovative business. Together with his wife Rachael, he founded LIMB-art, a company that instils pride in users’ prosthetics. Many customers have reported a positive change in their attitude and confidence when wearing their prosthetic limbs. LIMB-art has received several accolades, including the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.
Dr Susan Chomba
Director, Vital Landscapes, Africa – for Public Service
Alumna Dr Susan Chomba, one of the first-ever graduating European Masters in Sustainable Tropical Forestry graduates is now a distinguished global ambassador for the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience under the UN High-Level Champions for Climate Action. She was named one of the Global Landscapes Forum’s '16 Women Restoring the Earth' in 2021 and featured on the BBC list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world in 2023.
Professor E Wynne Jones OBE
Former Principal and Chief Executive of Harper Adams University College - for Services to Education
Raised on the family farm near Colwyn Bay, Professor Wynne Jones graduated in Agriculture from Bangor University in 1970. As the Principal and Chief Executive of Harper Adams University College, Professor Jones led its transition to university status with Research Degree Awarding Powers.
Awarded an OBE in 2009 for his services to Agricultural Higher Education, Professor Jones also received also received numerous accolades for his contributions to the environment and agriculture including the LANTRA CYMRU's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. His impactful leadership also earned him the role of Chair of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Royal Welsh Show.
Professor John Phillip Sumpter OBE
Ecotoxicologist, Brunel University, for Services to Education
After earning his PhD in Marine Zoology from Bangor University, Professor John Philip Sumpter went on to become a distinguished ecotoxicologist and a global leader in his field. His impactful journey began in the late 1970s when he investigated the phenomenon of 'intersex' fish in the River Lea, linking it to chemical pollution from industrial, plastic, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic sources. This led to extensive research on mixed chemical pollution, covering a wide range of substances in rivers, raising public awareness of environmental contamination.
Carl Foulkes QPM
Former Chief Constable, North Wales Police – for Public Service
Carl Foulkes was Chief Constable of North Wales Police from 2018 to 2022 and national policing lead for Wales during Covid. His support for the partnership between the Police and Bangor University in setting up the professional policing practice degrees has been invaluable. He held the portfolio for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the National Police Chiefs Council, and his commitment to those values echoes and resonates with those of the University.
Graduation ceremonies are an opportunity to come together to celebrate the success of each and every Bangor student. As well as celebrating each student’s journey to being awarded their degree, awarding Honorary Degrees allows us to show our appreciation for the impact made by individuals across public service, in the world of literature and music, in business, sport or science. Our students’ stories, and the stories of the individuals we will honour this year, have the power to inspire us all.
