Tramlines Festival co-founder to become Doctor of Letters with honorary degree from Sheffield University

The co-founder of Tramlines festival, who has developed a number of bars, restaurants and music venues in the city, is one of three esteemed recipients receiving honorary doctorates from the University of Sheffield this week.

Businessman James O’Hara co-founded Tramlines Festival in 2009. Since then, he has transformed many historic sites across the city into bars, restaurants and music venues, including Public and Picture House Social.

James and his team also saved Kelham Island Brewery and Fagan’s pub from closure, and he is involved in the £6mil redevelopment of Leah’s Yard into an integral part of the Heart of the City 2 scheme, which is aiming to drive economic growth into the city centre by attracting more visitors, creating jobs and encouraging community.

He will be made an Honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Sheffield on Friday January 12 - the last day of a week-long celebration of postgraduate graduation ceremonies.

Daniel Evans, co-artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company and former artistic director of Sheffield Theatres was also made an Honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Sheffield earlier this week, on January 9.

Daniel initially trained as an actor and received two Olivier Awards for his Sondheim performances. He became artistic director of Sheffield Theatres in 2009 and during his tenure, Sheffield Theatres was twice named Regional Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards.

Also recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Science this week was statistician Victoria Cox. During the Covid pandemic, Victoria provided much of the statistical modelling of the UK’s medical responses, informing decisions at the highest levels of government.