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4 November 2025  3 min read

Honorary doctorate and appointed to represent the King - BE's Sadie Mason MBE

Dr Mason has represented England and GB nearly 40 times and has a professional background in sport and development that spans over 30 years, including serving as CEO of Active Sussex and basketballscotland, playing a vital role in Sport England, and holding board positions at London Sport, Basketball England, and GB Basketball.  

Her leadership and integrity has shaped grassroots and elite sport to be more inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking and she was awarded an MBE at Buckingham Palace by the Prince of Wales in 2014 for Services to Sport. 

More recently, she has been instrumental in developing a recognised performance level programme – GB Maxibasketball – for male and female players aged 35-60 to continue playing high-performance international basketball.

"I can honestly say I am truly honoured and sincerely thank the University for this recognition," said Dr Mason, who represented GB in the 50+ age group category at this year's FIMBA World Championships in Switzerland.   

"Thanks to my family and colleagues for supporting me on the day. Inclusion, representation and respect are values I hold close – as you cannot be what you cannot see – so I hope my journey can be one that others look to as they make and take their own paths in life.  To my basketball community, this one is for us all. Keep on doing what you love, age is but a number!"

Vice Chancellor and CEO of the University of Greenwich Professor Jane Harrington said that Dr Mason represented the best of British sport and public service. 

“She is a role model, an advocate, and an enduring source of inspiration-especially for our students, and particularly those from diverse backgrounds who see in her story a reflection of possibility, pride, and progress.” 

Dr Sadie Mason MBE DL (right picture, background on the right) acting in her capacity as East Sussex Deputy Lieutenant at Seaford Cemetery, laying wreaths with local school children to commemorate the soldiers of the British West Indian Regiment that fought in WW1. Image: Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Representing the monarch

This year, Dr Mason was also appointed to the East Sussex Deputy Lieutenancy (DL) team – a role which sees her deputise for the Lord Lieutenant, the representative of HM King Charles III in the county, at Citizenship Ceremonies, Royal Honours presentations, and commemorative events. 

“Her appointment is a powerful symbol of representation and public service, and an inspiring example for our graduates of the impact they can make in civic life,” added Professor Harrington.  

During Black History Month, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission invited Dr Mason to attend an event in Seaford Cemetery, East Sussex, which commemorated the formation of the British West Indies Regiment and the British soldiers of African-Caribbean heritage who fought and died for Britain in the First World War, 19 of which are buried in the cemetery.

 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion