Celebrating the University of Chester’s graduating class of 2025

The class of 2025 will be joined by their family, friends and lecturers to mark their success. They will cross the stage and be congratulated by Presiding Officers Chancellor of the University, Dr Gyles Brandreth, Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons and Pro Chancellor Meredydd David.  

They will also be joined by two honorary guests who will receive degree awards in recognition of their considerable impact in the fields. 

Record-breaking adventurer Alex Staniforth from Chester will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to young people’s mental health services. 

John Gartside OBE JP DL will receive an honorary Master of Arts in recognition of his contribution to public service in the county of Cheshire. 

Professor Simmons said: "It fills us with pride to celebrate our graduates' achievements alongside their loved ones as they begin their professional journeys. We commend them for all they have accomplished and extend our best wishes for their future endeavors. 

“It is also an honour to recognise our honorary guests, Alex Staniforth and John Gartside OBE for their incredible achievements and the impact they have made in our region and beyond.” 

• Alex Staniforth 

Alex is a record-breaking adventurer, international keynote speaker, author and charity founder, aged 29, from Chester. 

As a teenager he had already survived the two most significant disasters in Mount Everest history, in two consecutive years. However, his biggest mountains have been overcoming epilepsy, bullying, mental ill health and a stammer since childhood. 

However, Alex is no stranger to overcoming challenges. He is the fastest person to climb all 100 UK county tops - covering 5,000 miles by human power in 72 days. He has raised over £100,000 for charity through his adventures, winning the Pride of Britain Granada Reports Fundraiser of the Year 2017 and a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in 2023. Alex has authored two books Icefall and Another Peak, and in 2020 founded a mental health charity, Mind Over Mountains, operating across England and Wales to restore mental wellbeing through nature. As a founding trustee of the charity, he believes that everyone should have access to our 'Natural Health Service' and the support that they need.  

In 2025 he will be taking on his biggest challenge to date to raise £500,000 for Mind Over Mountains - and open a conversation around mental health and the challenges that young people face. 

Alex Staniforth said: “Being awarded an honorary degree from my home city of Chester means the world to me. The challenges that young people face need to be at the forefront of our attention and I'm dedicated to doing what I can to support those struggling with their mental health through my own experiences and our charity, Mind Over Mountains. I’m so grateful for this recognition, which will help build awareness of our work, and empower us to support more people within the community and beyond.” 

• John Gartside OBE JP DL 

John is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Warrington Disability Partnership. 

Following a career in university, higher and further education John became a Board member of the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation. Since then, he has served as Leader of Warrington Borough Council overseeing the transition to a unitary authority, Chair of Warrington Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Chair of 5 Boroughs Partnership Trust and Chair of NHS Warrington (PCT). He was also employed as a member of the national Big Lottery Board from 2004-2012. John is a magistrate (appointed 1979), and he was a founder trustee of the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, Warrington Wolves Foundation and a trustee/director of The Spirit Trust 2012 (national Olympic legacy organisation). He was granted the Freedom of Warrington (Freeman) in 2004.  

John Gartside said: “I am proud and delighted to be recognised by Chester’s outstanding university, which adds value to and enriches the entire county. Cheshire has been part of my identity for many years and in many ways: in this wonderful county my wife and I raised our family; I served as a magistrate, had a long and varied career, and have the honour to be a Deputy Lieutenant.”