We’re also proud to have recognised a group of exceptional individuals whose contributions to their fields and beyond have been truly outstanding and reflect our values. We’re delighted to share their stories and welcome them to the Loughborough family as Honorary Graduates for the class of 2025.
Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE
In recognition of her many achievements in Paralympic swimming.
From humble beginnings at the pool in her hometown in Norfolk to becoming a world-class athlete with 42 medals, Jessica-Jane’s journey is an inspiration to many.
At just 16 years old, she made her Paralympic debut in London in 2012 and achieved gold in the 200m Freestyle S14 class, setting a new Paralympic record and becoming the first British swimmer with an intellectual disability to win a Paralympic gold medal. Since then, she has set more than 80 British swimming records and multiple world records.
Beyond the pool, she has used her platform to advocate for greater inclusion and understanding of people with learning disabilities. She has been an ambassador for Mencap for over a decade, and also serves as an ambassador for Virtus. Jessica-Jane was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2013 and named Para Swimming Athlete of the Year at the British Swimming Awards in 2015, alongside several other sporting honours.
Thomas Heatherwick CBE
In recognition of his outstanding achievements in the world of design, architecture, urban infrastructure and sculpture.
Shortly after graduating from the furniture design programme at the Royal College of Art in 1994, Thomas founded Heatherwick Studio – a company which now employs around 250 architects, designers, engineers and landscape architects across the world.
He is most notably known for his work designing the cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London; the conversion of Victorian-era storehouses to create Coal Drops Yard in London; performance venue and urban park Little Island, based in New York City; and his latest project, working on the new Terminal 5 of Changi Airport in Singapore.
The Studio has gained critical acclaim, winning more than 100 international honours. Last autumn, it launched ‘In the Making’, a three-year creative education programme to inspire young people aged 10-14 to see themselves as creative.
Carol Leeming MBE
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the arts and her efforts to raise awareness of culturally diverse groups.
A visionary, multi-award-winning artist, an inspiring cultural leader and a tireless advocate for equity – these are just some of the traits that can be attributed to Carol.
As a founder of Dare to Diva, she champions diverse voices and her acclaimed plays and poems have been staged across the country and recognised in academic texts. Her commitment to social justice has resulted in her influencing institutions across multiple sectors, particularly during the pandemic.
Her contributions to the arts and community have earned her several accolades, including an MBE and Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts. Her strong ties with Loughborough University have resulted in her delivering Black History Month events to the University community, including a keynote address held in recognition of Windrush Day.
From left to right: Colin McFarlane, Pia Sinha, and Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE
Colin McFarlane
In recognition of his contributions to the arts and his role in championing men’s health issues.
You might know him as Commissioner Loeb in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, or perhaps you recognise his commanding voice for the gameshow The Cube. Video game narrations and representation of characters from much-loved children’s TV animations are also part of Colin’s portfolio, with his career being a masterclass in versatility.
Colin has also used his platform to raise awareness about prostate cancer, publicly sharing his own diagnosis in 2023 and inspiring others to get checked, potentially saving lives in the process. He is also the founder, director and trustee of Making History, a charity that helps children to use their family or cultural history as the inspiration to follow their dreams.
Pia Sinha
In recognition of her considerable contributions to social justice through prisoner rehabilitation and the reform of prisons.
Born in India and arriving in the UK at 14 years of age, Pia pursued a career in psychology with her journey in the prison service beginning at Holloway Prison in 1999, working with vulnerable women. After rising up the ranks across various roles in prisons and institutions for young offenders, Pia became the first Asian woman to run a prison in England and Wales in 2013 when appointed at HMP Thorn Cross in Cheshire.
In 2021, she became Director of Women at HM Prison and Probation Service, with responsibility for the 10 public sector women’s prisons and oversight of two private prisons. She was also in charge of the team responsible for women’s policy. Two years later, Pia was appointed as Director of the Prison Reform Trust, becoming the first woman of colour to hold the role. As Director, she advocates for a fairer, more humane penal system that improves the lives of those within the prison population.
Pia has made an exceptional contribution to the rehabilitation of prisoners and the reform of our prison system. What makes her truly extraordinary is not only what she has achieved, but how she has achieved it – with empathy and by listening to those who often feel unheard.
Emma Wiggs MBE
In recognition of her achievements in Paralympic canoeing and to promoting diversity and inclusion in sport.
As one of the most decorated athletes in paracanoeing history, Emma's athletic achievements speak volumes about her determination and skill. She won gold in the KL2 event at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and followed it with gold and silver medals in Tokyo 2020. She has claimed ten world championship titles, making her one of the most decorated female paracanoeists of all time, and in 2017, she was awarded an MBE for services to canoeing.
Through her work with the Women’s Sports Trust and the ‘Unlocked’ programme, which aims to challenge the lack of diversity in sport, Emma challenges the status quo, advocates for change, and opens doors for others. She is a role model not only for disabled athletes but for anyone who has ever faced adversity and dared to dream beyond it.
Closer to home, at the University, her impact has been profound. She was an ambassador for a UK Sport-funded Paracanoe project involving the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport; she has helped our master's students gain a better understanding of the optimal warm-ups for paracanoeists; and her role as a motivational speaker across workshops and seminars has inspired many.
Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE
In recognition of his many achievements in the world of art and as a disability activist.
Jason’s works are as joyful as they are thought-provoking. Using humour inspired by childhood comic books from the 1970s, he tells stories that are serious and challenging.
Among his most striking pieces is a 10-metre-long inflatable sculpture inspired by the national Changing Places campaign, which advocates for fully accessible toilets. He also created a commemorative artwork for the House of Commons to mark the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, drawing inspiration from his own experience when trying to watch a Jaws double bill at the cinema.
Through his art, Jason champions disability by tackling pressing issues of accessibility and inclusion head-on, offering a vision of vibrancy, resilience and joy. A passionate activist, he works with communities across the UK to use art as a tool for empowerment and inclusion, serving as a mentor and a public speaker to advocate for accessibility in the creative industry and beyond.
Huge congratulations to all of our Honorary Graduates this year. Alongside these recipients, the summer graduation ceremonies also recognised a group of colleagues and alumni by bestowing them with University Medals for their exceptional services to the University and beyond.