Oxford Brookes University confers Honorary Doctorate to pioneering executive coach Máire Brankin

Oxford Brookes University has proudly bestowed an Honorary Doctorate upon Máire Brankin, a distinguished executive coach and an exemplary alumna, at the May 2025 graduation ceremonies.

This significant recognition celebrates her impactful career in leadership development and, crucially, highlights her profound dedication to philanthropic causes, particularly her vital involvement as a core member of the Friends of the Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholarship.

A personal commitment to the Gaza scholarship

Máire Brankin's passionate advocacy for the Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholarship stems from a deeply personal place. Having grown up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, this lived experience has instilled in her a strong belief that offering educational opportunities is a fundamental path towards conflict resolution and building a more peaceful future.

Enduring ties to Oxford Brookes University

Brankin's deep connection to Oxford Brookes University began in the 1980s when, as a mature student, she played a role in shaping the Women's Studies curriculum and later lectured on learning psychology and assertiveness. She graduated from Oxford Polytechnic in 1984 with a Degree in Social Anthropology and English Studies. Her commitment to the university continued as she served as a member of Court. In 2025, she furthered her professional development at Brookes, enrolling in coaching programmes including “Coaching the Neurodivergent,” demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning.

A pioneering career in executive coaching

Máire Brankin is recognised as a pioneering figure in executive coaching. She founded Oxford Executive Coaching in 1991, establishing it as one of the longest-standing and most highly respected coaching companies in the UK, and one of the first coaching firms in Europe. With over 30 years of experience, she is lauded for her transformative and bespoke approach to leadership development, having coached chairs, chief executives, and boards of major organisations, including NHS Trusts and global banks.

Trained as a teacher, social anthropologist, and psychotherapist, Brankin uniquely draws on her interdisciplinary background to support individuals and teams navigating complex change. A fervent advocate for fairness, she has consistently focused her practice on increasing diversity in leadership, particularly for women and under-represented professionals in medicine and law. Her coaching empowers clients to challenge limiting beliefs, understand institutional culture, and unlock their full potential.

Broader contributions to society and healthcare

Máire Brankin's significant societal contributions include specialising in coaching medical professionals within the NHS and contributing to organisational cultural change and equal opportunities. Over the years, she has supported the City Women Network and the Women's Irish Network, and has been instrumental in developing coaching for the NHS Women's Unit. Her extensive volunteer work spans chairing ICAP, pro bono mentoring for charities, and her involvement with Activate Learning Education Trust.

An inspiring role model

The Honorary Doctorate is a testament to Máire Brankin's multifaceted contributions, highlighting her exceptional professional achievements, her unwavering commitment to social impact, and her particularly poignant support for the Gaza Scholarship. Her life story, from growing up in a conflicted part of the world to becoming a nationally acclaimed coach and a champion for education as a pathway to peace, served as an inspiring example to all graduating students that day.