Comedian, farmer and The Archers star among recipients of honorary degrees handed out by Shropshire university

Figures from food, farming, social enterprise, science and entertainment will receive honorary degrees and fellowships from Harper Adams University as it marks its 125th year.

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In total, seven people will be named as the first recipients of the awards during this academic year at the Newport-based university.

Four awards will be given at the university’s graduation ceremonies in September, and three over two days of celebrations in the following week which will mark the commencement of the institution’s 125th celebrations.

Further honorary degrees and fellowships will follow throughout the 2026-27 academic year and beyond, as part of wider events and awards which will mark the university’s anniversary.

These will also include awards for alumni, students, employees, and the wider community surrounding the university.

The honorary degree and fellowship recipients at this year’s graduation are Tullis Matson FRAgS DL, Oliver ‘Olly’ Harrison DL, Christine Tacon CBE and Professor Grant Edwards.

Tullis Matson will receive an honorary degree. He is the founder and managing director of Stallion AI Services, one of Europe’s most successful stallion collection centres, specialising in cryopreservation technology.

He is also founder and chair of Nature’s SAFE, a charity using innovative biotechnology to help protect biodiversity for the future.

Farmer and entrepreneur Olly Harrison will also receive an honorary degree.

He is the face behind popular YouTube channel @OllyBlogsAgricontractfarmer.

His videos provide a glimpse into the real-world challenges and triumphs of farming reaching more than 450,000 people across his social channels – and he is also a tireless charity fundraiser.

Christine Tacon CBE will receive a fellowship. She is a member-nominated director of the Co-op Group of food, funerals, insurance and legal services businesses.

She is also chair of the BBC Rural Affairs Committee and a trustee of the Farmers Club Charitable Trust, founder and director of the Women in Food and Farming Network, and was the first Groceries Code Adjudicator, chair of the graduate development scheme at MDS Ltd and chair of Assured Food Standards (Red Tractor).

The second person to be awarded a fellowship is Professor Grant Edwards, vice chancellor of Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, New Zealand’s specialist land-based institution.

A distinguished agricultural scientist, educator and university leader, he has devoted his career to advancing research, teaching and innovation in agriculture and the sustainable management of natural resources.

At the launch of the university’s 125th anniversary celebrations the following week, actress Felicity Finch, business and civic leader John O’Brien MBE, and comedian and actor Ed Byrne will receive honorary doctorates of letters.

Felicity Finch is an actress known for her portrayal of Ruth Archer on The Archers, BBC Radio Four’s much-loved rural drama. Her character first appeared in the series in 1987 - as a student from Harper Adams University.

Actor, presenter and comedian Ed Byrne studied horticulture at Strathclyde University and began his career as a stand-up comic in Glasgow as a student.

With his TV career now in its third decade, Ed has regularly appeared on shows such as QI, Mock The Week, Alan Davies As Yet Untitled, The Pilgrimage, Dara and Ed’s Road to Mandalay, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, The Graham Norton Show, Have I Got News For You, as well as Comic Relief Bake Off and as a host on Live At The Apollo.

John O’Brien MBE is a business and civic leader whose career has spanned the military, global business and public life. Shropshire-born and based, he has strong links with the county and has been a longstanding champion of the county, its people and institutions.

Alongside his various national roles, John founded Anthropy in 2021, the UK’s largest national leadership platform bringing together leaders and organisations from across business and civil society to consider Britain's future and its role in the world. Its annual gathering at the Eden Project brings together 2,500 leaders from over 1,000 organisations.

Harper Adams University vice chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said: “I am delighted that distinguished people from our specialist industries, Shropshire, public life, and those who are champions for the work we do are being recognised.

“The fact that this recognition comes at the start of our 125th birthday year makes them particularly special.

“We look forward to sustaining a close connection between the university and our soon-to-be honorary alumni and fellows in the years ahead.”