2012
Camila Batmanghelidjh - Charity leader and champion for the well-being of children
Honorary Degree of Doctor of Social Science (Hon DSocSci) in recognition of her contribution to the wellbeing of children.
Before she was 35 Camila Batmanghelidjh had founded two charities to help children: The Place 2 Be in 1994 and Kids Company in 1996. They were built on her experience as a psychotherapist working with children suffering severe emotional stress from family disorder, bullying, domestic abuse, gang violence or other causes.
Her energy, personality and leadership have promoted greater levels of therapy, counselling, comfort and other practical help in schools and centres for vulnerable children. Her business skills in the charity sector have been widely recognised, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Centre for Social Justice.
Kids Company is currently a partner with the University of Cambridge and UCL on research into neurodevelopmental trauma.