TOP figures from health, social housing and music will be honoured when the University of Bradford holds its winter graduation ceremonies next week.

Hundreds of students will be graduating at a series of ceremonies at the university next Wednesday and Thursday, and they will be joined by five national and international figures who are getting honorary degrees or fellowships.

The ceremonies take place in the university’s Great Hall, where Chancellor Kate Swann will present the honorary degrees.

Receiving honorary degrees are:

Benson Taylor - a Bradford born composer and producer who has has composed scores for a range of film, television and video game productions. He has collaborated with artists including Bat for Lashes, CeeLo Green and Lulu, and will be made a Doctor of the University.

At 26 years old, he was one of the founding members of the Emmaus Homeless project in Bradford, established to develop St Mary’s Church into a home and working environment for the homeless.

Group Chief Executive of social housing provider Incommunities Geraldine Howley will be made a Doctor of the University.

In May she was appointed as a vice chairman of the Governing Board of the Chartered Institute of Housing following her CIH Presidential year.

Ash Soni will be made a Doctor of Health. The former pharmacy owner has held a range of high profile roles, including Clinical Network Lead for NHS Lambeth and Chairman of the National Pharmacy Association Board of Management.

In 2011 he was appointed to the NHS Future Forum, reviewing the proposed Health and Social Care Bill. He is a fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and Honorary Fellow of the UCL School of Pharmacy and served as President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society from 2014-2016.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the the Royal College of General Practitioners, and formerly chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, will become a Doctor of Health.

Receiving an Honorary Fellowship of the University will be Helen Hirst, Chief Officer of Bradford City, Bradford Districts and Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups. She has worked in the NHS in Bradford for 22 years, with her last role being Deputy Chief Executive for Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust.