Alumnus Errol Lawson receives honorary fellowship | News

September 2025

Alumnus dedicated to empowering the next generations receives honorary fellowship

By Melanie Hall

Share post:

Read time: approx 3 mins

An award-winning entrepreneur, author and social enterprise leader dedicated to empowering the next generations has been made an honorary fellow of University College Birmingham - where he proudly studied himself for a master's degree.

Errol Lawson, who has also been made a visiting professor, is set to receive the honour at today's evening graduation ceremony at Birmingham Symphony Hall at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

Errol is the founder of the Building the Future Awards and CEO of Emerge Leadership UK CIC, a social enterprise that
delivers leadership and soft skills training across the UK, with a strong focus on youth empowerment and workforce development.

A proud graduate of University College Birmingham, Errol holds an MSc in Enterprise Management (Distinction) and continues to champion the University’s values through active collaboration, mentoring and community engagement.

Prior to receiving the honorary fellowship and visiting professorship, Errol said: "I am honoured to stand on that stage and be recognised for what I have achieved, throughout my whole life, not just in recent years. And to share it with my family too. My wife, my two daughters, my mum and my stepdad.

"I never would have imagined achieving this at all. I never went to university, had no A-levels, and got to do my master's through my experience and achievements. A big thing to say, but to me, this is miraculous and I feel very grateful."

Errol is the author of several influential books, including From the Postcode to the Globe, The Teen’s Guide to Becoming Unstoppable, The Five Core Abilities of Highly Effective Leaders, and Teenpreneur – How to Build a Business in Your Teens.

In addition to his writing and community work, Errol is an experienced keynote speaker and trainer. He has delivered leadership development programmes for major organisations including the NHS, Canon, Hewlett Packard, BNP Paribas and His Majesty’s Land Revenue (HMLR).

His approach blends lived experience with practical insight, making him a trusted voice on topics ranging from resilience and emotional intelligence to strategic leadership and team development.

In 2017, he was listed among the Birmingham Post Power 250 as one of the region’s most influential leaders, and in 2014, received a Local Hero Award for outstanding contribution to youth and community development.

As a visiting professor, Errol plans to build on his longstanding relationship with the University.

"I will be supporting the students in achieving both personal outcomes and outcomes in their careers through mentoring, guest lecturing and other opportunities," he said. "This is very close to my heart."