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New Year Honours for Leeds Beckett University graduates
Former Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League teammates Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow have both been awarded CBEs for their services to charitable fundraising, while former Team GB Olympian Tom Bosworth has been awarded an MBE for his services to race walking.
Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said:
“Congratulations to everyone in the Leeds Beckett University community who has been recognised for their achievements in the New Year Honours today.
“Our alumni are part of a community of more than 220,000 Leeds Beckett University graduates spanning 174 different countries and we are proud of all of their achievements.”
“We’re delighted to see our graduates Tom Bosworth MBE, Rob Burrow CBE and Kevin Sinfield CBE honoured for their incredible efforts across sports and charity,
“Rob and Kevin have worked tirelessly in raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and have captured the hearts of the nation with their love, friendship and determination in supporting the MND community.
“Tom has enjoyed an incredible career, blazing the trail for British race walking. We’re proud to have supported Tom and played a part in his success.”
Rob Burrow CBE was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by LBU in 2021
Rob was awarded his Honorary Doctorate of Sports Science by Leeds Beckett University in 2021 for his outstanding contribution to rugby league, the city of Leeds and his charity work for MND.
Kevin meanwhile has completed four charity challenges to help raise nearly £10million for MND. Throughout his challenges, Kevin has been supported by experts from Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport who have provided performance, nutritional and medical support for each of his challenges.
Most recently, Kevin was joined by experts Professor Ben Jones, Dr Gemma Phillips, James Moran and Dean of the Carnegie School of Sport Peter Mackreth for his 7 in 7 in 7 Challenge in December 2023, which helped raise more than £1million.
Leeds Beckett University also helped design a specially adapted wheelchair for Rob, allowing both Kevin and Rob to take part in the inaugural Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon in 2023. The marathon helped raise funds for the Leeds Hospital Charity’s Appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Leeds Beckett graduate and former Team GB Olympian Tom Bosworth has received an MBE
Tom was an inaugural member of Leeds Beckett University’s Athletics Talent Hub, which launched in 2020. During his studies, Tom was supported by Leeds Beckett University’s National Centre for Race Walking and also received a sports scholarship.
Tom inspired the nation during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games finishing 6th in the 20km race walking event: the best British race walking performance at an Olympic Games since 1972.
Dean of Carnegie School of Sport, Peter Mackreth, said:
“Congratulations to our graduates Rob Burrow, Kevin Sinfield, and Tom Bosworth on being honoured.
“Throughout their sporting careers, Kevin and Rob inspired athletes and fans with their actions on the pitch, but their selfless campaigning since Rob’s MND diagnosis and the incredible fundraising challenges Kevin has taken on have inspired and united a nation in fighting this disease and supporting the MND community.
“Tom has been an incredible ambassador for Leeds Beckett University during his career. We are incredibly proud of Tom’s rise from studying and training at the university as an undergraduate to representing his country and breaking records at Olympic Games and World Championships.”
Honorary Graduate and Leeds United's First Division winning manager Howard Wilkinson received an OBE for services to association football.
Howard guided Leeds to win the last ever First Division title in 1992 before the formation of the Premier League and is the last English manager to win the league in the top flight of English football. Howard also served as Technical Director and Caretaker Manager of the England National Team.
In February 1993, Howard's achievements were recognised by Leeds Metropolitan University awarding him an Honorary Degree of Master of Business Administration.
Leeds Beckett University graduate and Olympic bronze medalist Joslyn Hoyte-Smith received an MBE for services to athletics. Joslyn graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Health and Safety. Raised in Leeds, Joslyn won Olympic bronze in 1980 in the 4x400m relay. Since retiring, Joslyn is the Chair of the GB Olympians Association.
