University Challenge star Bobby Seagull awarded MBE for library campaign
Acclaimed teacher, author and broadcaster Bobby Seagull has been appointed a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s New Year Honors list. The 41-year-old, whose full name is Jay Bobby Seagull, is known for his dedicated service to public libraries.
The Seagull first came to public attention during a memorable appearance on the BBC in 2017. University Challenge. As captain of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, his team’s journey to the semi-finals saw clips of him go viral, combined with his infectious personality and palpable enthusiasm. He used this newfound popularity to inspire others, especially through his passion for mathematics.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Martı expressed his happiness when he heard the news and linked this prestigious award to his library card. “I received this letter in the mail and it says ‘At Her Majesty’s service’,” he recounted.
“I wondered if there might be jury duty. I opened it and it said: Bobby Seagull, MBE, for services to public libraries. My first thought was happiness, obviously. But I owe it all to this – my library card.” He fondly recalled weekly visits with his father and brothers to East Ham Library in east London; here they “sat cross-legged on the floor and read all kinds of books.” She added: “That’s what gave me the skills to be who I am today, week after week, month after month, year after year. If it weren’t for libraries and librarians, I would be unknown to the public in terms of knowledge.”
Seagull reiterated his deep connection to libraries in a post about
He confirmed his commitment to campaigning for libraries as an ambassador for The Reading Agency and a former champion of the Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals (CILIP).
His advocacy for libraries has been recognized before; In 2020, CILIP awarded him an honorary fellowship for presenting his 10-point manifesto for libraries in the House of Lords and supporting long-term funding.
Born in Newham, London, Seagull’s parents emigrated to the UK from Kerala, India. He has openly discussed his distinctive name, explaining that although his surname is Jose, ‘The Seagull’ was adopted by his father, a devoted fan of Richard Bach’s 1970s tale. Jonathan Livingstone Seagull.
His first name is Jay, following a South Indian family tradition. His educational journey saw him attend Eton College on a scholarship, study mathematics at Oxford University, then re-enroll and graduate from Royal Holloway University, and later complete his teaching qualification and master’s degree at Cambridge University.
Before starting his teaching career, Seagull worked as an investment banking trader at Lehman Brothers & Nomura and qualified as a Chartered Accountant at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). He decided to pursue a PGCE while working at PwC, where he enjoyed training new graduates.
His post-University Challenge career was fruitful. He co-wrote Monk Man and the Seagull Exam Book In 2017, along with Eric Monkman, the same year he became an ambassador for the charity National Numeracy, which aims to help people “overcome their maths phobia”.
He launched the series in 2018. The Monk Man and the Seagull’s Genius Guide to BritainIt was published The Life-Changing Magic of Numbersand co-hosted Mathematics Objection Podcast until 2022. He also contributed as a columnist. Finance TimesAppeared on BBC Radio Four Puzzle For Todayand collaborated with The Open University and Martin Lewis on the Money Management course.
Currently, Seagull is balancing charity ambassadorships, completing his PhD at Cambridge University and maintaining his commitment to education and public service by working part-time as a maths teacher in east London schools.
