At the graduation ceremony in January 2023, the Reverend Doctor Leslie Griffiths, the Lord Griffiths of Burry Port receives an honorary doctorate.
A Methodist minister, formerly President of the Methodist Conference and Superintendent Minister of Wesley’s Chapel, and honorary Canon of St Pauls’ Cathedral. He is also an active member of the House of Lords: Lord Griffiths is a leading figure and thinker in the British Church and public life.
Lord Griffiths is also a former Chair of the governing body of Southlands College and Senior member of the Roehampton Institute of Education’s governing body. He became Chair in 1997 shortly after Southlands moved to its present site on Roehampton Lane, and a time when Roehampton was in a time of transition. Leslie’s hard work enabled Roehampton to thrive, achieving all we have subsequently as an independent university. His persistent dedication to that cause was encouraged by the spirit of ecumenical partnership. Being formed as a collegiate institution with strong and continuing associations with our three faith founding bodies, has enabled our university to provide education with a special mission and character – education offered regardless of background and with the intention of ensuring human flourishing – forming students to be leaders in their own communities with a commitment to social justice.
Leslie’s character can be seen running richly through this identity. Today he remains one of the greatest supporters of Southlands College and of our university. He has spent his life committed to the transformative potential of education and the alleviation of poverty and social injustice, values which are shared by Southlands College, the University of Roehampton and the Methodist Church, in which he has served.