Celebrating outstanding contributions, with our 2026 Medals of Honour
29 May 2026
The University’s Medal of Honour is the highest non-degree award bestowed by the University to individuals who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the work of the University, the city of Manchester or the north-west region.
Chair of The University of Manchester Board, Philippa Hird presided over a Medal of Honour Presentation and Dinner which took place on Tuesday 19 May 2026 in the Living Worlds Gallery, Manchester Museum.
Medals were awarded to Locita Brandy, Katherine Leopold, Rita Robert Otu, and the University Challenge 2026 Team.
Locita Brandy
“From arrival, Mrs Brandy has been an active member of her local community, Moss Side. She has always believed in Moss Side as a community, and has tirelessly campaigned for the rights and needs of local people.”
Katherine Leopold
“Through her leadership, Katherine has strengthened the bond with our graduates - helping to shape a community that is more connected, more inclusive, and more impactful.”
Rita Robert Otu
“Across her career’s many roles, Rita has worked worldwide to empower young women, encouraging them to take control of their health and prevent hunger and malnutrition. Thanks to her incredible work, many women are healthier today in Nigeria and in Africa.”
University Challenge 2026 Team
Captain Kai Madgwick, Ray Power, Kirsty Dickson, Rob Faulkner, and Argyro Olympitis.
“The victory required extraordinary preparation. Behind the calm faces and impossibly fast buzzers that we saw on TV lay a formidable training regime of written tests, live buzzer tests, targeted revision, and long evenings spent testing themselves against archived episodes.”
Photos from the event
View photos from the event in our slideshow:
