Professor Sir George Berwick CBE awarded Honorary Fellowship

Professor Sir George Thomas Berwick with Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd, Pro-Chancellor of Aberystwyth University

Highly respected educational leader, author and innovator Professor Sir George Berwick CBE has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Aberystwyth University.

An alumnus of Aberystwyth University, Professor Sir George has contributed significantly to school improvement both in the UK and internationally.

He was one of the architects of The London Challenge, pioneered the concept of Teaching Schools, and co-founded Challenge Partners and Olevi International.

Professor Sir George Berwick was presented with an Honorary Fellowship by Professor Iain Barber on 16 July.

The full conferral presentation is available below, in the language in which it was delivered.

Presentation of Professor Sir George Berwick by Professor Anwen Jones

Dirprwy Ganghellor, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor, graddedigion, gyfeillion. Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno yr Athro (Syr) George Berwick, yn gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Pro Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, graduates and supporters.  It is an honour and a privilege to present (Sir) George Berwick, as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

As you will note, Sir George already enjoys several accolades and titles and we at Aberystwyth University are honoured to add to those accolades. Sir George began his journey towards his current acclaimed status as a leader in educational circles here at Aberystwyth University. Mae’r Athro George Berwick yn un o raddedigion Prifysgol Aberystwyth ac rydym yn hynod o falch o’r cyfle i nodi ein gwerthfawrogiad a’n cydnabyddiaeth personol ni o’i gyraeddiadau lluosog.

Sir George’s many achievements have led to his knighthood for his visionary pioneering work in education that has made an incredible contribution to the improvement and development of education within UK schools and internationally. Mae Syr Berwick yn arweinydd addysgol uchel ei barch sydd wedi cael ei urddo'n farchog am ei waith arloesol ym maes addysg ac sydd wedi cyfrannu'n sylweddol at wella ysgolion yn y DU ac yn rhyngwladol. 

During his career, he has led institutions rated as Outstanding by OFSTED. Anybody who has been the subject of a school or schools inspection will appreciate just how outstanding that achievement really is. Using this knowledge, the research from his PhD in School Effectiveness from UEA and his background in designing and implementing information systems, he and his team were pivotal in developing the role of the National Leaders of Education and the concept of Teaching Schools. The programmes he developed with his team, to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, peer review and the leadership of schools, are currently being used by over 1,000 schools internationally.

He was one of the architects of The London Challenge, a program to improve pupil outcomes in London schools in collaboration with local authorities and expert advisers. It is clear that collaboration and co-creation are key to his professional approach because he also co-founded Challenge Partners; a national partnership at UK level for schools and trusts that focuses on collaboration, challenge and leadership development to transform school communities.

Aberystwyth University’s current strategy focuses on growing knowledge and building communities and Sir Berwick has dedicated his professional life to achieving both these goals. Through his coaching and mentoring and his publications including the Upwards Convergence Journal, he continues to share influential insights on leadership, collaboration, and sustainable educational reform.

As the current Chairman of Olevi International (2002-), Project Director for the Western Quebec Board (2000-) and visiting Professor at the IOE/UCL (2011-) his inspirational leadership coupled with his numerous system-wide approaches to school improvement, based around the effective management of knowledge, have helped to transform the educational opportunities of countless young people. It comes as no surprise that he was awarded a CBE in 2007 for his contribution to the London Leadership Strategy and that his advice has been sought on system development by No. 10, the Cabinet Office, and the English Sector of the Quebec Provincial Government.

In 2016 Sir Berwick was recognised by The Times as one of the 500 most influential people in the United Kingdom. In 2026 he is recognised by Aberystwyth University for his contribution to a field that is fundamental to our strategy, our aims and our ambitions.

Ddirprwy Ganghellor mae’n bleser gen i gyflwyno yr Athro Syr George Berwick, i chi yn Gymrawd.

Pro Chancellor, it is my absolute pleasure to present Professor Sir George Berwick, to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Aberystwyth University Honours 2026

Each year, Aberystwyth University confers Honorary Awards on a small number of distinguished individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contribution to their fields. More information about Aberystwyth University Honours 2026.

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