John Bird MBE
Doctor of the University (HonDUniv)
Year conferred: 2001
John Bird is the man behind The Big Issue - the magazine sold by homeless people in order that they can earn an income and regain their self-esteem. Launched as a monthly publication in September 1991, The Big Issue was Europe's first street paper. Under John's leadership, the magazine has challenged the way the Government and the general public view homelessness. It is now a weekly magazine and John has overseen its development into the UK's most successful social enterprise, stretching from Tokyo to Totnes, helping thousands of homeless people worldwide.
