Human rights campaigner and top business figure to receive honorary degrees from University of Stirling

A prominent human rights campaigner and a senior figure in Scotland’s business and accountancy sectors will receive honorary degrees from the University of Stirling next week.

Judith Robertson – the former Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, who has also held senior roles at charities Oxfam and See Me – will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her leadership and longstanding commitment to human rights and humanitarianism.

Alexander Philip Manson – Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire and the former Chief Executive and Chair of Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants – will receive an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his services to the Scottish business and accountancy sectors.

Judith and Alexander, known as Sandy, will be celebrated at the University’s summer graduation ceremonies, which take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week (25 – 27 June).

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “Graduation is a special moment for the University – an opportunity for us to pause and reflect on the hard work and academic achievements of our students. We look forward to celebrating with our students and their families and friends next week.

“We will also welcome two distinguished honorary graduates to our alumni community – with Judith and Sandy celebrated at our ceremonies. Both are excellent role models for our graduating students, and we are proud that they are joining the Stirling family.”

Judith Robertson will receive an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Stirling next week.

Judith Robertson

Judith began her professional life as Campaign Manager for Oxfam Scotland, and during that period she co-edited A Women's Claim of Right for Scotland, a published response to the wholly male Scottish Constitutional Convention, highlighting the pressing need for equal representation of women in public life. She later became Poverty Programme Manager at Oxfam UK, and she co-founded the Scottish Women's Budget Group to bring attention to the unequal access to resources.

Judith was promoted to Head of Oxfam Scotland in 2005; was appointed Programme Director of See Me, Scotland's national campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination, in 2013; and became Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission in 2016.

Today, Judith is Executive Director of Befrienders Highland and serves as a Trustee for several charities and a board member for the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Alexander Philip Manson will be celebrated at the University of Stirling Summer Graduation.

Alexander Philip Manson

Sandy joined Johnston Carmichael as an Associate in 1991 before being promoted to Partner and later Managing Partner of its Aberdeen office. He was appointed Chief Executive in 2007 and Chair in 2019, before retiring in 2022. Today, Johnston Carmichael is the largest independent accounting firm in Scotland and a top 20 accounting firm in the UK.

Sandy has served as Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire since 2020 – and continues to represent King Charles III today. In addition, he has been appointed to the Boards of Gordon and MacPhail, Baxters Food Group and Maestro Shipping. Among other prominent roles, he is on the International Advisory Board to the University of Stirling Management School; is a Trustee of The King's Foundation; and recently stepped down as Chair of Salvesen Mindroom Centre.

In total, 2,271 students will graduate from the University of Stirling next week. Five ceremonies will be held across three days (25 – 27 June) as students celebrate their academic achievements alongside their families, friends and University staff.