Amongst them are the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast, Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ, Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Michael McBride and Northern Ireland footballers Steven Davis MBE and Julie Nelson BEM.

Also being honoured are Stephen Clarke, former Chief Executive of IVC Evidensia and former CEO of WH Smith and voluntary sector leader Olwen Lyner.

Speaking about the awards, Queen’s University Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: “It is a privilege for Queen’s to recognise and celebrate the impact people from our community make here and across the world. From charting a way through a pandemic to sporting excellence and to those whose lives have been committed to social justice, our society is full of skilled and talented people who enrich our community.

“Our Honorary Graduates continue to serve our community and act as ambassadors for Northern Ireland on the national and international stage, and we are delighted to have this opportunity to reflect their contributions.”

The full list of honorary degrees to be awarded is as follows:

• Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ, Doctor of Laws for distinction in Public Service
• Professor Sir Michael McBride, Doctor of Medical Science for distinction in Medicine
• Stephen Clarke, Doctor of Science in Economics for services to Business and Commerce
• Steven Davis MBE, Doctor of the University for distinction in Sport
• Olwen Lyner, Doctor of the University for distinction in Public Service
• Julie Nelson BEM, Doctor of the University for distinction in Sport

Also honoured by the University at a special ceremony in November was industrialist and philanthropist Mark Pigott KBE, KStJ who was awarded a Doctor of Laws for services to Business and Commerce and distinction in Public Service.

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