Social entrepreneur’s work recognised at RGU graduation ceremony

Josh Littlejohn MBE will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) for his commitment to charity and his work in helping the homeless.

Josh, who graduated from Edinburgh University in 2009 with a degree in Economics and Politics, went on to set up his own events company.  During this time he established the Scottish Business Awards which brought together the business community and all profits from the events was donated to charity. 

Combining his interests in entrepreneurship and social commitment, Josh started SocialBite in 2012, with co-founder Alice Thompson.  The organisation quickly expanded from its origins of one small, socially responsible sandwich shop in Edinburgh - its charitable contributions have now raised millions of pounds to provide innovative daily support and long term solutions for homelessness in Scotland. 

Josh has also organised the world’s largest ever sleepout, ‘Sleep in the Park’, which raised £4 million pounds in 2017.  Money raised through this event, and the forthcoming sleepout on December 8, is being invested in sustainable programmes to help reduce homelessness. 

In 2017 Josh was awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to social enterprise and entrepreneurship.

RGU Principal, Professor John Harper, commented: “Josh Littlejohn has done remarkable work in helping homeless people throughout Scotland gain the skills and confidence they need to help rebuild their lives.

“From the humble beginnings of his maiden Social Bite café in Edinburgh, he has grown his organisation into one of the largest homelessness charities in the country, attracting support from a vast array of businesses, and some rather well known celebrities.

“His ongoing commitment to ending homelessness in Scotland makes him a very worthy recipient of the Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration and RGU is proud to confer this honour on him.”