News / 08 Jul 2025
Kathryn Sargent and Shaun Dooley awarded Honorary Masters degrees
University News
We were thrilled to award Master Tailor Kathryn Sargent and actor Shaun Dooley with Honorary Master of Arts degrees as part of our graduation celebrations.
Kathryn Sargent is the first woman in London to hold the prestigious title of Master Tailor. Her career began at the tailor Gieves & Hawkes, at No.1 Savile Row, working alongside one of the last members of the founding family, Mr Robert Gieve. During her time, she rose to the position of Head Cutter, the first woman to ever do so in the entire history of Savile Row.
In 2012 Kathryn founded her own tailoring house, establishing her first atelier in Brook Street, Mayfair. In 2016 she became Savile Row’s first and only female Master Tailor and in 2020 was asked to join the board of the Savile Row Bespoke Association, joining the likes of Henry Poole, Huntsman, and Anderson & Sheppard in helping to foster and celebrate the craft of bespoke tailoring.
“I am deeply honoured and truly delighted to receive the Honorary Master of Arts degree from Leeds Arts University. As someone immensely proud of my hometown, this recognition is both a personal milestone and a heartfelt affirmation of my roots and journey in tailoring.”
Kathryn Sargent, Master Tailor
Shaun Dooley is an actor who has carved out a successful career across stage and screen, appearing in a diverse range of drama, sitcoms, feature film and stage plays.
He recently garnered critical acclaim as Michael Rudkin in Mr Bates vs The Post Office, charting one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history. In 2020 he appeared in two of Netflix’s most watched shows as King Foltest in The Witcher and Tripp Evans in The Stranger. His recent film credits include Saltburn, directed by Emerald Fennell, The Toxic Avenger directed by Macon Blair, and Official Secrets directed by Gavin Hood. On stage, Shaun most recently appeared in Jez Butterworth’s Hills of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre directed by Sam Mendes.
“When I was informed of this incredible distinction it stopped me in my tracks. I could never have imagined I would be awarded an Honorary Masters Degree. I’m so glad that I headed to my beloved Yorkshire to accept this from the brilliant Leeds Arts University. I am so honoured and so grateful. Thank you.”
Shaun Dooley, actor
The Honorary Masters degrees were awarded at Leeds Arts University’s graduation ceremony which took place on Monday 7 July at the Royal Armouries, Leeds. Students from across the University’s undergraduate courses celebrated the culmination of three years of hard work as they received their degrees.
“We were delighted to present this year’s Honorary Masters Degrees to Kathryn Sargent and Shaun Dooley. Both have made outstanding contributions to the creative industries, Kathryn through her ground breaking work as a woman in tailoring, and Shaun through his diverse and versatile performances on stage and screen. We are proud to celebrate their success alongside that of our graduating students and hope our students feel inspired as they begin to forge their own path in the creative industries.”
Professor Simone Wonnacott, Leeds Arts University Vice-Chancellor