Luton Town football hero Mick Harford, Olympic canoeing silver medallist Mallory Franklin and acclaimed film‑sound specialist Glen Gathard were among the distinguished recipients of honorary awards during the University of Bedfordshire’s summer graduation ceremonies this week.
Hatters legend Mick Harford received recognition for his lifelong service to football and the local community. A towering striker born in Sunderland in 1959, Harford made his name during two spells at Luton Town between 1984 and 1992, scoring vital goals in cup runs, winning the Littlewoods Cup in 1988 and helping the club punch above its weight in the top flight.
He has since returned in various roles, including manager, assistant manager and chief recruitment officer, playing a key part in steering the club through financial turmoil, relegation and eventual resurgence, which culminated in the club reaching the Premier League in 2023.
Bedfordshire graduate Mallory Franklin, who secured Olympic silver in canoe slalom at Tokyo 2020 and is a powerhouse in her sport, was honoured for her contribution to advancing women’s sport. Franklin earned a first‑class degree in Sports Therapy from the University in 2016. She boasts numerous international accolades: world titles in 2017 and 2018, multiple European Championship medals since 2012, and recent World Cup victories, demonstrating her continued elite status.
Also celebrated was University alumnus Glen Gathard, a mastering sound editor and creative director working with Molinare, known for supervising on major film and TV productions including Peaky Blinders, Ex Machina, Fantastic Beasts, Rogue One and Skyfall. With over 300 credits and awards such as a CAS for Bohemian Rhapsody, Gathard epitomises success in the creative industries.
Also honoured were Professor Jagtar Singh CBE, co-chair of the Asian Professionals National Alliance,
for work reducing inequalities in public services; Paul Kehoe CBE, Chair of Luton Rising, for contributions to aviation; and Richard Angell OBE, CEO of Terrence Higgins Trust, for driving charitable causes.
“Live a good life. A good life is one where you use your talents,” Vice‑chancellor Professor Rebecca Bunting urged graduates, adding: “To have achieved all this is a privilege and with privilege comes responsibility. I hope you will use your talents not just in pursuit of your own career goals but to the wider benefit of society.
“And to live a good life means that you are committed to the creation of a fair and equal society and are willing to challenge inequality, discrimination and exclusion. You can make a difference and bring about change for the better through the way you live your lives.”
Also on stage was Chancellor, acclaimed journalist and author Sarfraz Manzoor, presenting diplomas to business school graduates, while the university honoured others for achievements in sports, public service, film, aviation and charity.
