NHS vaccine hero gets honorary degree

BRISTOL pharmacist Ade Williams received an honorary degree during UWE Bristol’s summer graduation ceremonies at Bristol Cathedral. 

He was one of seven people with expertise and leadership across a variety of areas, including health, climate change, science communication and architectural education, to receive the accolade.

The recipients were all recognised for outstanding achievements in their chosen fields, and for their significant contributions not only to the university, but to the wider Bristol region.

The others were:

• Simon Nelson,  founder and owner of Same Difference, an equality, diversity and inclusion training and workplace mediation service;

• Malcolm Love, an independent producer, radio host and lecturer in Science Communication;

• Jane Hadfield, a nurse leading an NHS England project to widen access, participation, and inclusion;

• Andy Marsh, former Avon and Somerset Chief Constable and head of the College of Policing;

• Elizabeth Parkes, who leads the Environment Agency’s work on climate change and public health;

• Professor Lal Balasuriya, a Chartered Architect and Urban Designer, who has led UWE’s provision in Sri Lanka.

Ade is the superintendent of the multi-award-winning Bedminster Pharmacy in Bristol and Lead Pharmacist at the Bristol Travel Clinic. He was named an NHS Vaccine Hero for his work promoting access and increasing uptake. Awarded an MBE in 2022 for service to the NHS, he is a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Society for Public Health. He is a Royal Pharmaceutical Society Fellow and the profession’s Patient Champion. 

UWE Bristol’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve West, said: “It’s been an honour to welcome these distinguished individuals to celebrate their achievements alongside all our outstanding students graduating this summer. Their contributions are many and varied, and I hope they will inspire our graduates as they take their first steps into their chosen careers.”