University of Westminster awards Honorary Doctorates for 2021

Dominic Grieve QC, Tanweer Ikram, Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, and Sir Vivian Ramsey were all recognised for their services. 

Dominic Grieve QC has been named Doctor of Letters for his services to politics and the law. A barrister and former MP for Beaconsfield, Grieve was educated at the Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle and Westminster School, going on to Magdalen College, Oxford, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern History in 1978. He continued his studies at the University of Westminster, where he received a Diploma in Law in 1979.

He was named Parliamentarian of the Year in 2005 and received a lifetime achievement award from Liberty in 2014. He also specialised on issues relating to law and order, civil liberties and international affairs, as well as having an interest in environmental issues.

Nominating Grieve for the award, Professor Andrew Linn, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences said: “Dominic Grieve is an alumnus of Westminster who is widely admired and respected across the University and beyond for his deeply held principles and the urbane and civilized manner in which he has operated during a very challenging political period. He has embodied the values of responsibility and compassion throughout his long and illustrious career in law and in politics, two of the areas of study in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.”

Tanweer Ikram has been named Doctor of Law for his services to diversity in the legal profession. An engaged member of Westminster Law School’s Employer Advisory Board, Ikram studied at the University in 1989 for the Bar Finals Course. Since 2014, he has been a constant supporter of the Law School, mentoring and celebrating the achievements of its students.

Previously undertaking the role of Deputy Lead Diversity and Community Relations Judge, in which he encouraged young people from diverse backgrounds to fulfil their potential as lawyers, Ikram was appointed by the Queen as Deputy Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) in 2017, a senior judicial role.

Former Head of Westminster Law School, Liz Duff, nominated Ikram for the award, saying: “Tanweer supports students from under-represented backgrounds, encouraging them to work hard to fulfil their potential. Through his work with the Law Society of England and Wales, he has supported lawyers from diverse backgrounds to become judges.”

Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud has been named Doctor of Letters for his services to the protection of the environment, services to the promotion of sustainability in the business world, and services to education. The President and Co-Founder of OPEN for Business, and previous senior advisor for WWF, Jeanrenaud studied at the University of East Anglia where he received a Bachelor for International Development, later going on to receive a Masters at Oxford University in Forestry and Land Management.

He has supported the Westminster Business School by encouraging development of sustainability education in the business curriculum, as well as allowing the institute to have access to guest speakers through the WWF and OPEN network.

Professor Malcolm Kirkup, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of Westminster Business School, nominated Jeanrenaud for his commitment to being Founder and Director of One Planet Living Initiative (WWF), the aim of which is to ‘help bring about a world in which people everywhere can lead happy, healthy lives within their fair share of the Earth’s resources’.

Sir Vivian Ramsey has been named Doctor of Science for his services to the construction industry in the UK and worldwide. He received a Bachelor’s in Engineering Science and Economics from Oriel College, Oxford in 1972, going on to study Law at City University, London, eventually leading him to study for the Bar at the Inns of Court School of Law in 1979.

He was named Construction Silk of the Year in 2005, then going on to be appointed as High Court Judge in the Queen’s Bench Division and receiving a customary knighthood that same year. Ramsey is a frequent speaker for professional societies, universities and commercial organisations, and is an author and contributor to papers and publications. 

Professor Kirkup also supported Ramsey’s nomination, saying: “Sir Vivian has delivered exceptional services to the construction industry in the UK and worldwide and, aside from acknowledging this, an Honorary Doctorate would enable us to develop a working association with him to the benefit of the growth and reputation of construction education at Westminster and to the benefit of our students.”

Find out more about honorary awards at the University of Westminster.