A national leader in education has been awarded the title of Doctor of Law at the winter graduation ceremonies.
Sir Hamid Patel CBE is the founder and chief executive of Star Academies, a mixed Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) that runs a diverse network of primary and secondary schools in five cluster areas of England, with a mission to transform education in disadvantaged communities.
Star Academies oversees 36 schools, with more than half of them in the north-west, having evolved from a trust of faith-based schools to one of top league table performances on a national scale.
It works closely with Lancaster University through the formal partnership programme Lancaster Link, guaranteeing conditional offers or interview invitations for students at eligible Star Academies schools who apply to Lancaster University before the UCAS Equal Consideration deadline.
"I am deeply grateful for this incredible honour, which I am delighted to receive," Sir Hamid said. "It is such privilege to be here at this wonderful institution, a real jewel in the crown of northern England, and a place which has grown not only in size but in academic reputation over the years to become one of the most prestigious universities in the country."
Beyond his work with Star Academies, Sir Hamid was this year appointed interim Chair of the Ofsted Board, and is Vice Chair of the National Institute of Teaching. He chairs the Education Honours Committee and the Confederation of School Trusts, and is Honorary Professor of Education at the University of Birmingham.
He holds a Master's in Education with the Open University and a National Professional Qualification for Headship, and in 2021, was sought out by Eton College as a partner in a collaboration to establish three new sixth-form colleges in Oldham, Middlesbrough and Dudley.
In recognition of his services to education, Sir Hamid was appointed CBE in 2015, and in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 2021, received a knighthood. In 2023, he was invited to attend the King's Coronation.
