R;pple Founder, Alice Hendy MBE, Receives Honorary Doctorate

R;pple Founder, Alice Hendy MBE, joins leading innovators as she receives an honorary doctorate from the University of Portsmouth.

The University of Portsmouth has celebrated inspirational figures with honorary doctorates at their 2025 graduation. Those recognised this year include Sabrina Dhowre Elba, The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell MBE and our very own Alice Hendy MBE, founder of R;pple.

Alice was given the award to recognise outstanding achievements in suicide prevention, reflecting her incredible work in creating the lifesaving R;pple tool.

Celebrating life-saving achievement

Honorary doctorates are the highest accolade the University¹ can give, recognising exceptional achievement and outstanding contribution to society.  

"Being awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Portsmouth is an incredibly special moment for me and my family."

Alice Hendy MBE

Founder of R;pple

"This recognition is not just mine — it’s in memory of my brother Josh. Everything my team and I have done through R;pple has been to honour his life and help others in their darkest moments. I’m truly humbled and grateful," writes Alice Hendy MBE.

Kev Child, Principal Safeguarding Officer of Students, Student Support Services, presented the award at the 2025 graduation ceremony.

A diverse range of achievements

This year's recipients represent a diverse range of achievements across healthcare, business, media, advocacy, and philanthropy, highlighting values of excellence, innovation, and community impact.  

Alice receives her award on the same day as Portsmouth graduate Ade Williams MBE, whose pioneering healthcare innovations and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic earned him national recognition and an MBE in 2022.

Previous Portsmouth recipients include astronaut Tim Peake, physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, renowned artist Sir Grayson Perry, adventurer and broadcaster Ben Fogle, and sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie.

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Sources:

1. Honorary degree recipients, University of Portsmouth

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