Grassmarket social entrepreneur given honorary degree

Jonny Kinross, CEO of a successful social enterprise based in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his charitable work.

The Grassmarket Community Project was created in 2010 by Greyfriars Kirk and the Grassmarket Mission in order to provide sanctuary and support to vulnerable members of the local community. 

It offers a mixture of education programs, drop-in services, social enterprise and social integration activities.

CEO of the Project since 2015, Dr Kinross has successfully provided leadership and support to staff and members. 

Last year the Grassmarket Community Project was named Social Enterprise of the Year at the 2017 Social Enterprise Scotland Awards.

Mr Kinross received his honorary degree at a ceremony in the University’s McEwan Hall on 7 July. 

“I am truly humbled and grateful to be awarded an honorary doctorate by The University of Edinburgh. It is testimony to the many inspiring people that I have been privileged enough to have met and the communities that I have been involved with over the past 30 years of my career. It is even more poignant as both myself and my son have attended this remarkable university as undergraduates.

In committing his adult working life to serving and supporting some of our most vulnerable citizens,  Jonny has reminded us of the transformative power of community, and the capacity of social entrepreneurialism to promote individual healing and positive social change.   The University is proud to be honouring a man of compassion, a man of vision, and a man of leadership.

Find out more

Visit the Grassmarket Community Project website here.

You can find out more about Honorary Graduates in 2018 here.

You can find out about any future Edinburgh Local events by signing up to www.ed.ac.uk/local/contact to receive occasional updates from the team. 

If you have any questions about Edinburgh Local or would like to get in touch, please email local@ed.ac.uk