University awards four honorary degrees recognising leadership, public service and global impact
Four outstanding individuals have been recognised with honorary degrees from Heriot-Watt University, celebrating exceptional contributions across social inclusion, finance and journalism, philanthropy, and sport.
The honorary graduates – Merryn Somerset Webb, Graham Watson, Morag McNeill and Liz Scott-Gibson – were recognised at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies, which concluded yesterday, joining a distinguished community of around 400 honorary graduates whose work reflects Heriot‑Watt’s global outlook and commitment to positive societal impact.
Merryn Somerset Webb is a highly regarded journalist, author and commentator on economics, finance and personal wealth. She is the UK Wealth Editor-at-Large for Bloomberg and host of the popular Merryn Talks Money podcast.
To conclude my time in this role by celebrating the achievements of our graduates alongside honorary recipients who have made such profound contributions to society is both a privilege and a fitting moment of reflection.
She was the founding editor‑in‑chief of what is now the UK’s best-selling financial magazine, MoneyWeek, where she played a key role in making financial journalism accessible, engaging and relevant to a broad audience. Until 2023, she was also a columnist for and contributing editor to the Financial Times. Merryn has published two books on personal finance and investment and hosts an Edinburgh Fringe Show each year to discuss the works of the revered economist, Adam Smith at his former home, Panmure House in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Heriot‑Watt University awarded Merryn with a Doctor of Letters in recognition of her outstanding contribution to financial journalism and public understanding of complex financial and economic ideas.
Graham Watson has played a significant role in shaping Heriot‑Watt University since joining its Court in 2015, where he also served as Chair of the Finance Committee.
He helped secure more than £100 million in long‑term funding, enabling major developments across the University’s global infrastructure.
Alongside his university work, Graham is Chair of Tennis Scotland where he has overseen substantial growth in participation, and also chairs InnoScot Health, supporting NHS clinical innovation.
He was presented with a Doctor of the University for his distinguished leadership in national sport and health innovation, and for his significant contribution to the University.
Morag McNeill is Chair of The Robertson Trust, Scotland’s largest independent charity, which plays a vital role in tackling poverty and disadvantage across the country. Under her leadership, the Trust continues to support individuals and communities through strategic funding focused on education, health and social inclusion. Morag also has a longstanding relationship with the University having served as a Court member, Deputy Chair, and Chair at Heriot-Watt.
Morag brings extensive experience across the public and third sectors, with a career dedicated to public service and social justice. Her work has been influential in shaping approaches to philanthropy that emphasise partnership, long‑term impact and fairness.
In recognition of her significant service to education and commerce in Scotland, Morag received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters.
Liz Scott-Gibson is a practicing British Sign Language (BSL)/International Sign/English interpreter and a longstanding champion for inclusion. She has been involved professionally with the Deaf community and Sign Language developments in Scotland and internationally for many years, contributing to the development of the BSL/English Dictionary, the linguistic analysis of BSL, and the education of Sign Language interpreters in the UK. She has worked closely with Non-Governmental Organisations and governmental/international bodies and was proud to be involved in early work at Heriot-Watt University establishing sign language interpreter training in the 1990s.
She received a Doctor of Letters from the University in recognition of her distinguished international leadership in sign language interpreting, education, and advocacy; pioneering contributions to global Deaf communities; and exceptional service in training, evaluation, and development around the world.
Professor Richard A. Williams, Principal of Heriot‑Watt University, said: “It is a great honour to recognise these four exceptional individuals at our graduation ceremonies this year. Each of them embodies the values that define Heriot‑Watt University – intellectual excellence, leadership, public service and global impact.
“These ceremonies are particularly meaningful for me personally, as they will be the final Edinburgh graduations I attend as Principal. To conclude my time in this role by celebrating the achievements of our graduates alongside honorary recipients who have made such profound contributions to society is both a privilege and a fitting moment of reflection. I am immensely proud of our University community and the positive difference it continues to make across the world.”
A total of 15 graduation ceremonies were held in Galashiels and Edinburgh between the 12th and 19th of June marking the academic achievement of students from the School of Textiles and Design, School of Social Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, and the School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society.
