The former Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, Sharon Thompson, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU), saying it’s “a great time for the city” with sporting and cultural events at the heart of Birmingham this summer.
Sharon, who was also the deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, was part of the UK delegation that secured Birmingham as hosts of the 2026 European Athletics Championships and has said she’s ecstatic that the competition will be coming to the city in less than two weeks.
Today (29 July) she received an honorary doctorate from the 2026 Championship’s official University partner, Birmingham City University, and spoke about how the sporting event will provide huge opportunities for BCU students and the wider community.
“I met someone at Alexander Stadium recently who volunteered at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, who told me that the experience directly led to permanent employment with BCU Sport.
“So, to the students who are volunteering or working in placements at the Championships, I would say seize the opportunities that will open up to you.
“Not many people will be able to say that they helped deliver the first European Athletics Championships held in the UK!”
Sharon Thompson served as a Labour councillor in Birmingham for over ten years and has held several leadership roles in her political career, including Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, drawing on her own experiences of homelessness as a teenager.
In May 2023, she became the first Black deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, before her appointment as Deputy Mayor in June 2024, the first woman and person of colour to hold that role.
She received her honorary doctorate at a ceremony at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, saying it was overwhelming but exciting to receive recognition for the work she’s done for the city and its residents.
“I’ve worked closely with BCU on projects such as the Knowledge Quarter, and the institution is close to my heart for the opportunities it provides to local students, some of whom are from very deprived areas of the West Midlands, so it’s an honour to receive this alongside those who are graduating today.”
“I hope no matter where in the world these graduates go, they will be proud of studying at BCU and will continue to represent Birmingham.”