Aston University honorary graduates
Aston University awards honorary graduates to remarkable individuals in recognition of their transformational impact on their fields.
Winter Graduation 2026
Claire Miles, CEO of Stagecoach
An Aston University alumna, Claire began her career in retail financial services with organisations including GE Money and Santander, before spending ten years at Centrica. She went on to hold her first CEO role at Yell and, since October 2023, has led Stagecoach, the UK’s largest bus and coach operator.
Additionally, Claire also serves as a non-executive director and RemCo chair for Biffa and is a visiting professor at Aston University. With a career spanning multiple sectors, Claire exemplifies the impact of dedication, adaptability, and lifelong learning; all values shared amongst many Aston graduates.
Diane Wake, Group Chief Executive of The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
Diane is a nurse by background with over 40 years’ experience in the NHS. Under her leadership, The Dudley Group is successfully working in partnership with Aston University to achieve University Hospital Trust status. In January 2025, Diane became CEO of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which formally opened the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital during a ceremony with King Charles III. She has championed high-quality care and workforce innovation, including award-winning initiatives that improve access to NHS careers and pioneering virtual ward models that enhance patient care. Diane is recognised for her dedication to compassionate leadership, patient safety and organisational excellence.
Rajeev Ranjan Vederah
Global business figure Rajeev Ranjan Vederah received a Doctorate of Science. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, in 1981 he took up a post at M/s Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT), where he became its first non-family managing director.
Later, as executive vice chairman, he oversaw a period of dynamic growth and strategic diversification. He is currently chancellor of Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET) and is executive chairman and whole-time director at BILT Graphic Paper Products Ltd.
Stephen Goldstein CBE DL
Stephen Goldstein, chartered surveyor, received a Doctorate of Business Administration. He is a charity fundraiser and one of the people credited with starting the redevelopment of St Pauls Square and the Jewellery Quarter.
After founding and selling a surveying company, he is now involved in advising on planning, finance management and real estate management in the West Midlands. He is also the remaining founder and chairman of Mad Hatters Children, a charity for special needs children.
Yiannis Maos MBE
Yiannis Maos, founder of TechWM and the UK’s largest regional tech festival, Birmingham Tech Week, has received a Doctorate of Business Administration.
His work has been widely recognised for establishing the West Midlands as the fastest growing tech sector in the UK. His 20 years’ experience in technology has seen him help a number of innovative organisations successfully scale and, in 2023, he was awarded an MBE for services to technology.
Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng
Dawn Bonfield, president of the Commonwealth Engineers’ Council and UK representative of the World Federation of Engineering Organisations, has received a Doctorate of Science.
An expert in capacity building and sustainability in engineering, she is also the director of Towards Vision, a not-for-profit focusing on inclusive engineering. In 2014, she established International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) which takes place on 23 June annually.
Tim Pile
Tim Pile, an independent council member with Aston University and chair of The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, has received a Doctorate of Business Administration.
He has worked in banking, retail, manufacturing, and the charity and public sectors, including at Cogent, Sainsbury’s and Lloyds.
He has also served as chair of the Greater Birmingham LEP and on the boards of the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, Bromsgrove School and Cancer Research UK.
Frans Johansson
Internationally acclaimed author, entrepreneur, and innovation strategist, Frans Johansson, received a Doctorate of Business Administration.
He is CEO of Medici Next, which has converted the ideas from his research and bestselling book, The Medici Effect, into specific actions, backed by behavioural and data sciences, and delivered through AI.
His insights have influenced industries spanning science, technology, healthcare, and economic development.
Sir David Nicholson
Sir David Nicholson received a Doctorate of Science. He is chair of all four Black Country NHS trusts and, during his 40-year NHS career, served as chief executive from 2006-2013 and of the restructured NHS England from 2013-2014.
He has provided population health advice to governments and organisations in countries including China, Brazil and Nairobi.
Sir David is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of General Practice and the Royal College of Physicians. His contribution to healthcare was recognised with a CBE in 2008 and a knighthood in 2010.
Carol Burke CBE
Carol Burke received a Doctorate of Science. She is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
She has held key leadership roles at British Steel, GKN, and since 1994, Unipart, where she is now managing director of manufacturing, design and engineering.
Carol champions UK manufacturing, especially in automotive, rail, aerospace, and industrials.
She collaborates with Aston University and holds various directorships and government advisory roles. She was awarded a CBE for her contributions to engineering in 2015.
Gareth Wilson
Gareth Wilson has received a Doctorate of Business Administration. He is an Aston University alumnus, is a seasoned business management professional specialising in financial services.
His career began at Andersen Consulting, which subsequently became Accenture. He joined Capgemini Group in 2021, where he is the global banking industry leader. His industry knowledge, combined with an ability to deliver large-scale business transformation, has been evident throughout his 33-year career in management consulting and banking.
Gian Power OBE
Gian Power, the founder and CEO of TLC Lions, a company on a mission to humanise the working world, has received a Doctorate of Business Administration.
A graduate of Aston University, he began his career at Deutsche Bank and PwC, but his life changed dramatically when his father went missing and was later found murdered.
He turned his loss into his mission to create more human, emotionally intelligent and connected workplaces. In 2025, Gian was awarded an OBE for services to mental health.
Shellyza Sajwani
Shellyza Sajwani, an oncology pharmacist at Ottawa Hospital, Canada, has received a Doctorate of Science.
She is the national co-chair of the Canadian Association of Pharmacy for the Environment (CAPhE) and co-chaired the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) committee which created the first international climate change pharmacy policy in 2023, sent to the FIP’s 100 country members.
She is an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and co-founder of Climaceutics Health Solutions which helps pharmacies reduce emissions and improve resilience to extreme weather.
Matthew Boazman
Matthew Boazman has received a Doctorate of Science. He joined the NHS in 2002 and after a spell with the Aids Committee of Toronto, Canada in 2004, he joined Whittington Hospital NHS Trust in North London, then Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 2013.
He was made trust chief executive in 2023. He is chair of the Central and South Genomics Consortium, chair of the Birmingham and Solihull Children's Health Board, chair of the Local Maternity and Neonatal System and sits on the Birmingham Health Partners Board.