Tullis Matson, founder and chair of Nature's SAFE, a wildlife conservation charity, has been named among seven recipients of honorary degrees and fellowships from Harper Adams University as part of the institution's 125th anniversary celebrations. The awards recognise distinguished contributions to agriculture, conservation, media and business. Matson will receive his honour at a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, 16 September 2026.
Matson described the recognition as a personal milestone, particularly given his educational journey.
"The journey through my education was really tough,"he said, explaining that he left school at 16 with no qualifications due to severe dyslexia.
"So now to get this is quite incredible, I'm absolutely blown away."
At school, Matson was told he would be a failure and feared he would not succeed.
"So this is fantastic. It really is. It means everything to me."He will deliver a speech to graduating students during the ceremony, viewing the opportunity as a chance to offer guidance to the next generation.
What does Nature's SAFE do?
Nature's SAFE operates as one of Europe's first living biobanks, preserving endangered animals' cells and tissues at –196°C. The charity's work involves freezing biological samples from endangered species in liquid nitrogen to create a genetic archive that protects species diversity and enables future conservation efforts.
The organisation has expanded significantly since its founding. According to Nature's SAFE, the Scottish wildcat marked the charity's 200th species stored in its biobank in 2024, and the collection now encompasses samples from 400 species. In 2025, Matson's conservation charity preserved and recreated "millions" of cell samples from a white rhino that had died at Whipsnade Zoo.
The stored genetic material ranges from African elephants to Scotland's wildcats, with some species critically endangered or extinct in the wild. Nature's SAFE's goal is to prevent extinction by preserving the genetic heritage of threatened animal species through technologies including artificial insemination and in vitro fertilisation.
"To be recognised with something you really believe in in the conservation world, using science and technology to try and help [...], it doesn't get any better,"Matson said.
"It re-emphasises that the work we're doing is the right thing. We've worked so hard, everybody has, for years to really push the boundaries of science to make a difference."
Who else is receiving honours?
Six other individuals are being recognised alongside Matson. Comedian, actor and presenter Ed Byrne, who has worked in television for three decades and studied horticulture at Strathclyde University, will receive an honorary doctorate. Felicity Finch, who plays former Harper Adams student Ruth Archer on the Radio Four drama The Archers—a role she has held since 1987—will also receive an honorary doctorate.
Farmer and entrepreneur Olly Harrison is receiving an honorary degree for his popular YouTube channel, which provides viewers with behind-the-scenes insight into the challenges of modern farming. Christine Tacon CBE will receive a fellowship for her work as a director of the Co-Op Group and chair of the BBC Rural Affairs Committee.
Agricultural scientist Professor Grant Edwards, vice-chancellor of Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University, a specialist institution in New Zealand, is also receiving a fellowship. Shropshire business leader John O'Brien MBE rounds out the group, receiving recognition for founding Anthropy, a leadership platform that holds an annual gathering at the Eden Project to bring together people from across society to consider Britain's role in the world and its future.
Why is this significant for Harper Adams?
Harper Adams University, located near Newport in Shropshire, specialises in agricultural and land-based degrees. The institution is marking its 125th anniversary this year with the introduction of honorary degrees and fellowships.
In a statement, Harper Adams' vice-chancellor Professor Ken Sloan said he is
"delighted"to see
"distinguished people" from Shropshire and specialist industries being recognised.
"The fact that this recognition comes at the start of our 125th birthday year makes them particularly special,"he added. Professor Sloan noted that the university looks forward to
"sustaining a close connection"with the honorary alumni in the years ahead.
What happens next?
The graduation ceremony at which all seven recipients will be formally awarded their honours is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Matson will deliver his address to the graduating cohort as part of the celebrations.
Key Facts
- Tullis Matson founded and chairs Nature's SAFE, which preserves cells from 400 endangered species at –196°C
- Matson left school at 16 with no qualifications due to dyslexia but went on to found Stallion AI Services, a world-leading cryopreservation company
- The honorary degree recipients also include comedian Ed Byrne, actress Felicity Finch, and farmer Olly Harrison
- Harper Adams University is awarding its first honorary degrees and fellowships as part of its 125th anniversary celebrations
- The graduation ceremony takes place on 16 September 2026
