Jayne-Anne Gadhia CBE, Chief Executive of Virgin Money, has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science (Economics), Honoris Causa from Royal Holloway, University of London. The award, which was presented during the University’s summer graduation ceremonies, was bestowed upon Jayne-Anne for her outstanding contribution to financial services.

After graduating from Royal Holloway in 1983 with a degree in history, Jayne-Anne Gadhia CBE, was one of the founders of Virgin Direct in 1995. Now Chief Executive of Virgin Money, Jayne-Anne is an advocate of the importance of business making a positive impact on society, and was Business in the Community’s National Responsible Business Ambassador from 2016 to 2018.

In 2016, Jayne-Anne was also appointed as the UK Government’s Women in Finance Champion, and later became a founding member of its Business Diversity and Inclusion Group. Her work within the group has included an independent review for HM Treasury, into the representation of women at senior levels in financial services, which led to the Women in Finance Charter – a commitment by firms to create more balanced workforces.

Jayne-Anne said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to receive an honorary degree from Royal Holloway, University of London where I spent three very happy years as an undergraduate and also met my husband.

“I am especially proud to have received this honour on the hundredth anniversary of female suffrage given the pioneering role this institution played in the education and empowerment of women and its students played in securing women the vote.”

Royal Holloway summer graduation ceremonies took place between 9-13 July 2018.