BNU awards Aviva group CEO Dame Amanda Blanc with honorary doctorate

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) is delighted to award Dame Amanda Blanc an honorary doctorate for her transformative impact in the insurance and financial services industry.

Dame Amanda, Group CEO of Aviva plc, the leading FTSE100 Insurance, Wealth and Retirement business, was awarded her honorary doctorate at the opening ceremony of BNU's summer graduation, where she delivered an inspiring speech to BNU graduates of 2024.

Amanda features as one of the leading faces of BNU's 'Celebrating women in leadership' campaign, alongside June Sarpong OBE, for her dedication and commitment to change in their corresponding fields and serving as inspiration to BNU's students.

She is recognised by BNU for her outstanding leadership which is characterised by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and diversity in the workplace, as well as honouring Amanda as one of the most vocal supporters for diversity in boardrooms following her three decades worth of experience in the insurance sector.

Amanda's honorary doctorate follows her damehood in the 2024 New Years Honours List for her services to business, gender equality, and net zero, and following the result of the General Election, it has been announced she will sit on the £7.3bn National Wealth Fund Taskforce at No11, to help boost growth, create jobs, and deliver net zero.

Recently, Dame Amanda has held several notable positions, including the first female Chair of the Association of British Insurers, the first woman to Chair the Insurance Fraud Bureau, and President of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

(L-R) Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Maggie Galliers, June Sarpong OBE, Dame Amanda Blanc and Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Braisby

She has also won accolades from leading industry bodies and financial media, including being cited as one of the 100 'most influential women in finance' by Finance News in 2022, and was named as the Insurance Personality of the Year at the British Insurance Awards the same year.

Speaking about receiving her honorary doctorate from BNU, Amanda said: "I am delighted to accept this award - and look forward to being part of the University's community of students and staff - and to supporting its long-held mission to transform the lives of students at Buckinghamshire New University.

"BNU is a place where innovation is nurtured, a place where high quality research is valued, a place where student satisfaction is of paramount importance and a place where opportunity and inclusivity is built into the fabric of the University. Above all it is a creative place that builds, grows and develops graduates who then go out and put the joy into life."

Addressing her award, Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, Maggie Galliers CBE, said: "Amanda's role on the Taskforce aligns with BNU's mission to create work-ready graduates to support growth of UK plc, creating space for economic growth and opportunity across the country.

"For her exceptional contributions to the business world, her advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and her role in driving positive change within the insurance and financial services industry, we are honoured to recognise Dame Amanda Blanc."

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