A Fellow is a person of eminence who has made a significant and distinguished contribution to the industries and professions associated with the work of the Royal Agricultural University.
Fellowships are normally awarded at the annual Graduation ceremony for the award of degrees.
2026
Danny Clarke
Danny, who is one of the UK’s leading garden designers, shot to fame in 2015 when he joined fellow presenter Helen Skelton to host the BBC’s Instant Gardener programme where unloved outdoor spaces are transformed in a single day.
Born to parents who immigrated from Jamaica, Danny initially worked in sales before deciding, at the age of 42, that his future lay elsewhere and pursuing a career in horticulture, studying garden design at Hadlow College.
Better known as The Black Gardener, Danny was presented with his Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his contribution to horticulture, his work to make gardening and green spaces more accessible to wider communities, and his commitment to encouraging greater diversity within the land-based sector.
Danny received his Honorary Fellowship at the RAU’s annual Graduation ceremony where he was recognised alongside the University's graduating students and pioneering conservationist Sir Charles Burrell who was presented with the University’s Alumnus of the Year award.
Danny’s Honorary Fellowship reflects the University’s commitment to celebrating people who are making a significant contribution to the land-based sector and helping to shape its future.
