Hartpury University celebrated the graduating Class of 2025 in the spectacular surroundings of Gloucester Cathedral, bringing together 620 students, as well as families, friends, staff, governors, honorary guests, and industry partners for two days of ceremonies (6–7 November).
This year’s graduation is particularly notable, as students cross the stage in the same year Hartpury University was named Specialist University of the Year 2026 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Vice-Chancellor, Executive Principal and CEO Professor Andy Collop, Chair of Governors Edward Keene, and Chancellor Martin Clunes were on hand to personally congratulate graduates and confer awards across subject areas including sport, equine, animal, agriculture, veterinary nursing.
Professor Andy Collop, Vice-Chancellor, Executive Principal and CEO of Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: "This year’s graduation has been a moment of great pride for the entire Hartpury community. Celebrating the Class of 2025 in Gloucester Cathedral, in the same year Hartpury University is named Specialist University of the Year 2026 by The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, reinforces the strength of our academic environment and the calibre of our graduates.
“The sense of celebration shared by students, their families, friends and our staff has been evident across every ceremony. Hartpury University continues to produce highly skilled, industry-ready professionals, and the success reflected here today is a testament to the expertise of our teams, the support of our partners, and the drive and dedication of our students as they move into influential careers across the sectors we serve.”
Chair of Governors Edward Keene also congratulated graduates in his speeches, noting the impact of Hartpury students on sport during 2024–25 including Hartpury University’s involvement in the Women’s Rugby World Cup and the continued success of Gloucester-Hartpury, who secured a third Premiership Women’s Rugby title earlier this year.
Across all ceremonies, tributes were paid to staff, academic teams, technicians, student support services, and the wider Hartpury University community recognising the role they have played in shaping, supporting, and guiding students throughout their university journey.
Honorary Awards
The university also conferred honorary awards on three distinguished individuals whose contribution to sport and equestrian development has had lasting international impact. This year’s Honorary recipients include:
Martin St Quinton – Honorary Fellowship
In recognition of his outstanding services to sport
Martin St Quinton’s career spans international business leadership, global M&A, entrepreneurship and strategic transformation in elite sport. As former owner and Chairman of Gloucester Rugby, he has supported, elevated and strengthened the club’s long-standing relationship with Hartpury including the women’s joint venture pathway which has become one of the most successful women’s rugby performance pathways in the world. His leadership at Cheltenham Racecourse further reflects his wide influence across equestrian industries and Gloucestershire’s sporting ecosystem.
Michelle Wang Qiang – Honorary Degree
For outstanding contribution to the development of equestrian sport in China
As CEO of Equuleus Equestrian Club in Beijing, Michelle has played a central role in the professionalisation and expansion of equestrian sport in China over the last 25 years, hosting international FEI competitions, supporting the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup China League, and driving grassroots growth. Her collaboration with Hartpury also spans more than two decades, strengthening educational links, exchanges, training and international equestrian culture.
Sarah Urwin – Honorary Degree
For outstanding contribution to mental health and animal-assisted therapy
A former Hartpury College student herself, Sarah’s work has been pioneering in the fields of animal-assisted psychotherapy, ecotherapy and farm-based therapeutic intervention. After retraining from a career in dairy agriculture, she built a unique care-farm model delivering therapeutic programmes with a wide range of animals, and went on to influence national standards, mentor professionals, and support the evolution of Hartpury’s own academic programmes — including the MSc in Animal Assisted Counselling and Psychotherapy.
