Edinburgh Napier University confers honorary degrees and fellowships on distinguished individuals from a wide range of sectors. The outstanding achievements and accomplishments of these individuals make them excellent role models to graduating students. You can explore the profiles of individuals who will be awarded with Honorary Degrees during the current ceremonies below. For a full list of previous Honorary Graduates, please visit the University's website.
Paul Bush OBE
Paul Bush OBE was VisitScotland's Director of Events until September 2024, leading EventScotland, Business Events and Industry Development for almost 20 years. During that time, he played a central role in attracting and delivering major international events in Scotland, including The Ryder Cup and Commonwealth Games in 2014, the inaugural European Championships in 2018, The Solheim Cup in 2019, UEFA EURO 2020, the 150th Open Championship in 2022, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Championships.
Before joining VisitScotland, Paul was Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming, where he helped establish the National Swimming Academy at the University of Stirling and developed structures that contributed to the sport's long-term international success.
A prominent figure in Commonwealth sport, he served as Scotland's General Team Manager in 2002 and Chef de Mission in 2006, and was awarded an OBE in 2007 for services to Commonwealth sport. He has also chaired Commonwealth Games Scotland and British Curling. In 2025, he became Chair of Sport Org and Managing Director of Grand Depart GB 2027, following his leadership of the successful bid to bring the Tour de France Grand Départ and Tour de France Femmes to the UK.
JJ Chalmers
JJ Chalmers is a broadcaster and former Royal Marine Commando from Edinburgh. After studying at the University of Edinburgh and working as a teacher, he joined the Royal Marines in 2005 and served in Afghanistan, where he was seriously injured in an IED explosion in 2011.
Following extensive rehabilitation, JJ competed in the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, captaining the Trike Cycling team and winning three medals. The experience led to a successful broadcasting career.
Since making his television debut at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, JJ has become a familiar face across BBC sport and major national events. He has presented coverage of the Invictus Games, Olympic and Paralympic sport, and key ceremonial occasions including the funerals of the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II, and the Coronation. In 2020, he also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing.
Away from broadcasting, JJ supports a range of charitable organisations, including Help for Heroes, The HALO Trust and the Invictus Games Foundation.
Alison Johnstone
Alison Johnstone began her involvement in politics campaigning to save local playing fields and later worked for Robin Harper MSP, the UK's first elected Green parliamentarian. She served as a City of Edinburgh Councillor from 2007 to 2012 before being elected as a Scottish Green MSP for the Lothian Region in 2011.
During her time at Holyrood, Alison served on a range of parliamentary committees covering areas including health, sport, social security and constitutional affairs. Her work has reflected a longstanding commitment to environmental and social justice, education, health and wellbeing.
In May 2021, she was elected Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. In this impartial role, she championed efforts to make Parliament more accessible, inclusive and representative, including launching an audit of women's representation and participation at Holyrood.
A qualified athletics coach and former East of Scotland 800m and 1500m champion, Alison has served on the board of Scottish Athletics. She is also a co-founder of the Women 50:50 campaign, a former Scotland Committee Member of Fields in Trust, and a Member of the Privy Council.
Gail Porter
Gail Porter is a television presenter, broadcaster and mental health campaigner from Edinburgh. After working behind the scenes in television production, she moved into presenting and became one of the UK's best-known television personalities during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Gail presented a range of popular programmes including Fully Booked, How 2, Live & Kicking, Top of the Pops and The Big Breakfast. Alongside her broadcasting career, she also worked as a model and became one of the most recognisable faces on British television.
Following her diagnosis with alopecia totalis and subsequent struggles with mental health, Gail has spoken openly about her experiences and become a leading advocate for mental health awareness. Her story was explored in the BBC Scotland documentary Being Gail Porter, which won a BAFTA in 2019.
Known for her honesty, humour and resilience, Gail continues to work across broadcasting, writing and live performance, including appearances at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Christian Prudhomme
Born in Paris, Christian Prudhomme is a trained journalist and graduate of the École supérieure de journalisme de Lille. During an 18-year broadcasting career in radio and television, he progressed from regional journalism to become editor-in-chief of France Télévisions' sports department and host of Stade 2, France's leading weekly sports programme.
Prudhomme helped launch several major French news channels, including La Cinq, LCI and L'Équipe TV. He covered the Tour de France extensively for Europe 1 radio before moving into television commentary for France Télévisions.
In 2004, he joined Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) as deputy cycling director alongside Jean-Marie Leblanc and succeeded him as Director of the Tour de France in 2007. Since then, Prudhomme has overseen the organisation and development of the world's most famous cycling race, becoming one of the sport's most recognisable figures and helping shape its iconic routes and global profile.