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."