Baroness Anne Longfield receives honorary degree

Baroness Anne Longfield CBE received the honour on Monday, July 13 during the university’s summer graduation ceremonies, in recognition of her lifelong commitment to improving the lives and opportunities of children and young people.

Appointed as a life peer in December 2024, Baroness Longfield - a former student of Otley's Prince Henry's Grammar School - has spent more than 30 years helping shape national policy and public debate on children’s rights, family support and social mobility.

From her work on Sure Start to her six years as Children’s Commissioner for England, she has consistently championed the view that every child should have the chance to thrive, regardless of their background.

Now Chair of the Centre for Young Lives, which she founded in 2024, she continues to campaign for practical solutions to support vulnerable children and teenagers. She was appointed as Chair of the National Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs in December 2025.

She previously chaired the Commission on Young Lives, whose recommendations helped shape the Government’s Young Futures programme, described as a modern “Sure Start for Teenagers”.

Although her work has taken her to Whitehall and Westminster, Baroness Longfield remains deeply connected to Yorkshire. She grew up near Otley Chevin and returned to the region after more than 20 years in London because she wanted her son to experience the same sense of community and belonging that shaped her own childhood.

Professor Peter Slee, Vice-Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: “Anne Longfield has devoted her career to improving the lives of children and young people, particularly those whose voices are too often overlooked.

“Her work has shaped national policy, challenged institutions to do better and created lasting change for families across the country. We are proud to recognise her exceptional contribution with this honorary degree.”

Baroness Longfield said: “It is a huge honour to receive this recognition from Leeds Beckett University. It feels especially meaningful because of the university’s fantastic work in education and its commitment to improving life chances for disadvantaged young people.

“I have huge admiration for the work taking place here, particularly in helping shine a light on inequality while also developing practical solutions. Leeds is a city with ambition, resilience and pride, and I am delighted to be honoured by a university that is playing such an important role in shaping its future.”

Baroness Longfield received her honorary doctorate during the Carnegie School of Education ceremony at Leeds Beckett University’s graduation week, where over 10,000 students graduated and 29,000 guests will attend ceremonies across the week.