Graduations 2025: Brigadier Ben Banerjee | The University of Sunderland

Published on 11, July, 2025

Brigadier Bibek Ben Banerjee KHS QVRM DL VR, Head of the Army Medical Services Reserves, has received an Honorary Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Sunderland.

Born in 1967 in Easington, County Durham, Brigadier Banerjee was brought up in Sunderland by his parents, both of whom were doctors in Sunderland.

After attending Newcastle Royal Grammar School, Brigadier Banerjee studied Medicine at Newcastle University, graduating with an MBBS in 1990.

During his studies, Brigadier Banerjee joined the Army Reserve, the start of his service with the British Armed Forces.

Brigadier Banerjee became a consultant vascular surgeon in 2004 at Sunderland Royal Hospital and received an MD from Newcastle University. He subsequently became an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in Vascular Surgery at the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.

Alongside his medical career, Brigadier Banerjee has been deployed by the British Army to serve abroad, starting in Bosnia and Kosovo in 2003. He was also deployed four more times, three times in Afghanistan and once in Iraq.

Honorary Graduate with Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor in gowns — (L-R) Leanne Cahill, Chancellor of the University of Sunderland, Brigadier Bibek Ben Banerjee KHS QVRM DL VR, Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive at the University of Sunderland

In 2014, Brigadier Banerjee was appointed as Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear and was awarded a Queen’s Volunteer Reserves Medal in 2015.

Brigadier Banerjee assumed command of the 201 (Northern) Field Hospital in Newcastle in 2015, helping drive recruitment and leading them to achieve multiple accolades for infantry, sporting and healthcare performance.

In 2019, Brigadier Banerjee was named Queen’s Honorary Surgeon for his military service, the highest level distinguished recognition of his work.

Brigadier Banerjee was appointed as Head of the Army Medical Services Reserves in 2021 and was later promoted to Brigadier in 2022.

Brigadier Banerjee continued as a vascular surgeon at Sunderland Royal Hospital until his retirement in June 2025. As he has said, he owes his career to the people of Sunderland, who inspired him to give back to them.

Brigadier Bibek Ben Banerjee KHS QVRM DL VR received his honorary doctorate at the University's Summer Graduation Ceremonies (Thursday 10th July) at the Stadium of Light.