Honorary graduates

2017

Lady Frances Sorrell OBE - British designer and a renowned advocate and campaigner for creative education

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Art in recognition of her significant contribution to art and design education

Lady Frances Sorrell OBEThe co-founder and trustee of one of Europe’s biggest and most successful design businesses, Lady Frances Sorrell has won over a hundred awards for creativity and effectiveness whilst running Newell & Sorrell.

In 1999 Frances set up the Sorrell Foundation with her husband John, which has worked with more than 10,000 young people across the UK with the aim of inspiring creativity. Over the last seven years, the foundation has developed the National Saturday Club network, which offers 13 to 16 year olds the chance to study on Saturdays for free.

Frances has many other roles. She is a visiting professor at University of the Arts London, a trustee of Mencap, a director of the Royal Academy of Arts Enterprises Board, and has been a judge for many design awards, including D&AD and the BBC.  

Frances was appointed an OBE in the 2016 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to art and design education.