Prominent Alumni

Durham University is proud of its graduates, many of whom have gone on to the highest levels of achievement in their chosen fields.  

In the literary field, Minette Walters, Pat Barker and Hunter Davies all graduated from Durham.  Our alumni in journalism and media include Sir Harold Evans, editor of The Sunday Times from 1967 to 1981, George Alagiah of the BBC News at Six, Lorraine Heggessey, the first female Controller of BBC One, Radio 5 presenter Mark Pougatch, former Blue Peter producer Biddy Baxter, sports presenter Gabby Logan, Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, BBC presenter Kate Silverton and BBC sports presenter and recent winner of Strictly Come Dancing, Chris Hollins. Additionally, jazz/folk songstress Gwyneth Herbert is a recent Durham alumna. 

Durham's sporting reputation has been enhanced by the accomplishments of former England rugby captains Will Carling and Phil de Glanville, and former vice-captain Will Greenwood, as well as by cricketers Andrew Strauss and Nasser Hussain, retired Formula One driver Guy Edwards QB and Olympic gold-medal triple jumper Jonathan Edwards.  

In research, Durham graduates include Professor John D. Barrow, winner of the Templeton Prize, Professor George Rochester, co-discoverer of the kaon sub-atomic particle and Sir Kingsley Charles Dunham, the former director of the British Geological Survey.

Within the military, General Sir Richard Dannett, the professional head of the British Army, and Vice-Admiral Tim Laurence, Chief Executive of Defence Estates and husband to Princess Anne, count themselves amongst Durham's notable alumni. And in politics, Durham alumni include  Sir Milton Margai, first prime minister of Sierra Leone, Baron Laming, head of the Harold Shipman enquiry and former Northern Ireland secretary, Mo Mowlam. 

Durham is also well-represented in the business field by mainstream entrepreneurs such as Tony Laithwaite, who set up the biggest Direct Wine company in the UK, Richard Adams, the founder of Traidcraft, Tim Smit, the driving force behind the Eden Project, Paul Hawkins, inventor of the Hawk-Eye ball-tracking system and David Sproxton, co-founder of Aardman Animations who produce Wallace and Gromit. 

The University also awards Honorary Degrees to individuals of outstanding merit.  Recent Honorary Graduates include Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury,  Richard Adams, Pippa Greenwood, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Judith Hann and Jonathan Edwards.