Graduations
Jon has been the reader and presenter at graduation ceremonies for some of the UK’s most prestigious Universities for the last 15 years. In feedback, student satisfaction with their graduation day rises significantly with a professional reader at the helm.
Graduations
Jon has been the reader and presenter at graduation ceremonies for some of the UK’s most prestigious Universities for the last 15 years. In feedback, student satisfaction with their graduation day rises significantly with a professional reader at the helm.
Graduation Days are Special!
Having a professional reader makes all the difference, not just to your students but also to your staff. They no longer have to revise or worry about pronunciation of student names - or handling the live ceremony. Jon’s experience as a BBC newsreader for 25 years means that he can handle international names easily - and at sight if required.
Jon is privileged and delighted to work with the admissions and graduation departments of several of the UK’s most prestigious Universities, including The University of London, London Metropolitan University, Coventry University London and UCL - named the University of the Year for 2024 by the Times & Sunday Times, and for the 12th year in a row UCL maintains a place in the top 10 universities in the world according to the QS World University rankings.
With these universities having a large international student body - preparation and the ability to read a wide variety of international student names is essential and vital to marking the graduands special day correctly. Being an integral part of such a great celebration makes these some of the days that Jon looks forward to most in his working calendar.
“The University of London has had the great pleasure of working with Jon as Reader for our graduation ceremonies for many years. Jon is always incredibly professional, and he works with us closely before and during the ceremonies to ensure that each of our students gets to enjoy their special moment as they walk across the stage. He is a calm and consummate presence who makes sure that our ceremonies reflect the world class courses the students have studied.”
Princess Anne - the Chancellor of the University of London - shares a joke with Jon after the grdauation ceremony
“Jon has been the Master Speaker for London Metropolitan University’s graduation ceremonies for many years, and we could not do them without him. Graduation can be a nerve-racking event for graduands, but Jon’s warmth, encouragement and good humour puts everyone at ease and ensures the ceremonies are as successful as they are entertaining.
Our ceremonies continue to go from strength to strength, with uptake increasing year on year, and Jon has made a significant contribution to our successes. He is a thorough professional both on-stage and off-stage; as soon as I see him arrive I know our ceremonies are going to be in safe hands – and that I can start to relax a little!”
