Three inspirational figures were celebrated at University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) winter graduations in November in the surroundings of the historic Paisley Abbey.

Andrew Malcolm, Anna Magnusson and Ann Moulds were awarded Honorary Doctorates as part of the University’s Winter graduation ceremonies, running from Monday 13 November to Friday 17 November.

Writer, broadcaster and radio producer Anna Magnusson was recognised at the 2pm ceremony on Tuesday 14 November.

Anna was first a researcher and then a producer for BBC Radio Scotland, producing programmes across a range of genres and networks. She was also the Senior Producer of the Religion and Ethics department at BBC Radio Scotland until 2009.

As a freelance writer and award-winning broadcaster, she continues to tell stories on local and national radio, both in Scotland and the UK. She is also the author of four books of non-fiction, including a biography of Vicky Jack, the oldest British woman to summit Mount Everest. Anna has also written the history of the Quarriers charity – formerly Quarriers Homes in Bridge of Weir.

It’s a great honour for me to receive this degree from UWS. I’ve had a long-standing link with Renfrewshire through writing the history of the Quarriers charity. As a radio producer and presenter with over 30 years’ experience, I’m delighted to be part of a University which trains future broadcast journalists.

Anna Magnusson

Andrew Malcolm MBE, CEO of Linwood-based logistics company Malcolm Group, was recognised as part of the University’s winter graduations, at a ceremony taking place at Paisley Abbey on Wednesday 15 November.

Under his leadership, Malcolm Group has transformed into a major nationwide player in the logistics sector. During his tenure, the workforce has nearly doubled to just over 2,000 people, with multiple generations of families employed.

In 2023, Andrew’s knowledge and experience led to him being awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

Alongside his many business achievements, Andrew and the company support many charities, including the Beatson Cancer Centre, where he is an ambassador. He also sits on the board of the Wise Group, a social enterprise working to lift people out of poverty.

I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive an Honorary Doctorate from UWS. While it is wonderful to be recognised, it always comes back to the fact I have a phenomenal team around me in a business I am very passionate about. It is extra special to receive this honour from my local University, which offers employer-focussed degrees. I am delighted to say many of its alumni thrive in our business today.

Andrew Malcolm MBE

Founder and CEO of charity Action Against Stalking, Ann Moulds, was awarded at the 2pm ceremony on Thursday 16 November.

Through her work, Ann has changed stalking laws in at least 50 countries, after setting up the charity following her own experience. Ann, who also runs her own psychotherapy business, was crowned Scotswoman of the Year in 2013 for her pioneering work in the field of anti-stalking legislation. Thanks to her efforts, tougher sentencing was introduced in Scotland and the rest of the UK quickly followed.

The charity now has 10 employees and runs an annual awareness week, which staged the world’s first ever international conference on abusive behaviour.

In another groundbreaking move, the charity partnered with UWS to set up a dedicated Centre researching harmful behaviours.

It is an honour to receive such a prestigious award and it triggers within me a deep humble pride. A pride in what I have achieved over the past 14 years, a pride in my ability to achieve it, a pride in never losing sight of my vision when the going got tough and a pride in fulfilling my pledge to the victims I chose to represent, and lastly it has been a humbling experience, to understand how many of my achievements came from the inspiration, collaboration and support of so many other people, colleagues family, friends, past and present members of Action Against Stalking.

Ann Moulds

Professor James Miller FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “Graduation is the pinnacle of the University calendar.

“It gives us the opportunity to both reflect on the amazing achievements of our students and to celebrate this most important of milestones with their friends and families, as well as the whole UWS community who have supported them throughout their time at University.

“Alongside our students, we are delighted to be recognising the significant contributions of three very inspirational individuals, who, throughout their careers, have made a huge impact in their respective fields.

“In addition to their national profiles, they have each had local connections in and around Renfrewshire, which reflects the placemaking agenda of UWS and we look forward to welcoming them into the wider UWS community.”