Introducing this year’s new Honorary Graduates
We are pleased to announce two new Honorary Graduates at Oxford Brookes who received their awards in our 2026 September graduation ceremonies
Peter Devlin
Peter is a semi-retired District Court Judge who grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. He studied history at the University of Oxford and then attended the College of Law where he successfully completed a two-year conversion course to become a solicitor.
After training with an Oxford solicitors, he specialised in family law and worked for a firm in Abingdon. In 2000, he was appointed as a Deputy District Judge and was appointed a full-time District Judge in 2006 at Slough County Court before transferring to Oxford Combined Court in 2017. He retired as a full-time judge this year, but still works one to two days a month in court.
He enjoys travelling, gardening and mentoring new Deputy District Judges and law students from Oxford Brookes.
Dr Charlotte Houghteling, Senior Lecturer in Law, said: “It is a great honour to recognise the incredibly valuable contribution that District Judge Peter Devlin has made, and continues to make, to Oxford Brookes Law School”.
“Over the past few years, Peter has been a shining light for Oxford Brookes Law students - as a champion of our CLOCK programme at the Oxford Combined Court Centre, offering regular marshalling and shadowing opportunities to students, connecting the law school to legal professionals across the county for our barrister mentoring programme, and even presiding over the first year Contract Law module Mock Trial! He is an inspiration, a sounding board, and a kind and generous listener and advisor to staff and students alike”.
“We are so grateful that, in his retirement, he has decided to volunteer at Oxford Brookes Law School. He is the consummate community champion and extremely deserving of this honorary degree”.
Peter will receive an Honorary Doctorate in Law.
Andy Holland
Andy Holland is one of the UK’s leading creative and production executives, whose career has helped shape the intersection of television, entertainment and brand storytelling over the past three decades.
From his early work in music and youth culture television, to his current role as Global Chief Production Officer at Omnicom Media Group, he has consistently championed creativity, innovation and opportunity. An International Emmy and Royal Television Society award-winning producer, he has led the development of acclaimed documentaries, entertainment formats and cultural projects seen by audiences around the world.
He worked as the executive producer of Queen of Speed, which is in development as a feature film, and creator and commercial architect of The Invincibles developed with Arsenal FC, Paramount and Skydance Sports. He developed Agnes, a film inspired by the lives of Agnes Maclehose and Robert Burns and is involved in a global partnership between Porsche and Dua Lipa.
Alexandra Shakespeare, Programme Lead in Publishing said: “We are delighted that Andy Holland, Global Chief Production Officer at Drum Studios, is being awarded an Honorary Doctorate at Oxford Brookes. His contribution to the university to date has been significant and impactful. This includes the hosting of exclusive pre-premier screenings of Drum documentaries on campus for the Cora Research Network, followed by guest talks with the studio's Emmy-winning production team for all Brookes students and staff.
“Andy is also an active member of Brookes' Oxford International Centre for Publishing and Journalism (OICPJ), and for 2026/27 chairs its Journalism Advisory Board, offering industry insights and expertise gained from over 30 years successfully working in the media. Most recently this partnership with OICPJ resulted in the development of a new module, Documentary Investigations, on our MA Journalism from 2027. Students will benefit directly from mentorship opportunities with Andy, which perfectly demonstrates his commitment to the wider University aims of bringing industry closer to education.”
Andy will receive an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts.