Durham University: Alumna, banking pioneer and green business leader to be honoured

Alison Rose studied History at St. Aidan’s College in the early 1990s. After graduating, she joined the leading bank NatWest. In 2019, she was appointed Chief Executive – the first woman to lead one of the UK’s big four banks.

She’s been a champion of diversity in financial services and the importance of small businesses to the economy.

We’re very pleased to be granting her an honorary degree – making her a Doctor of Civil Law.

Countdown to COP26…

COP26, fully the 26th UN Climate ‘Conference of the Parties’, will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12. The objective is to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

NatWest Group is a Principal Partner for COP26 and supporting the UK Government in delivering the event. Alison will attend COP26 and will receive her honorary degree while visiting Durham en route to Glasgow.

We share Alison’s and her team’s deep commitment to ensuring a more sustainable future for everyone. While visiting us, Alison will also hold a roundtable discussion with some of our leading climate change researchers and give a special guest lecture to staff, students, and alumni around the world, hosted by Durham University Business School, titled ‘Entrepreneurship and the Green Economy’.