Honorary Fellows 2008
Lynette Beardwood
In recognition of her charitable work and support for Merseyside students
Lynette has strong family connections with both Liverpool and the Wirral. She became involved with LJMU as she was concerned that financial pressures were preventing some of the region’s brightest young people from continuing into higher education. Lynette has played a key role in the development of the LJMU Alumni Association which, among other activities, enables successful graduates to support future generations of students.
Read the oration for Lynette Beardwood.
Dr Puan Hajjah Bibi Florina
For outstanding services to nursing and midwifery education
In collaboration with LJMU, Matron Bibi, Malaysia’s First Director of Nursing at the Ministry of Health, oversaw the rapid modernisation of nursing services within Malaysia to provide high quality healthcare for its citizens.
Steven Gerrard MBE
For services to sport
Steven is the captain of Liverpool Football Club, which he joined as a schoolboy aged nine. During his career he has won several titles, including Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year, PFA Player of the Year and UEFA’s Most Valuable Player. He has also captained his country, making his debut for England in May 2000. In 2006, he was awarded an MBE for services to sport.
Read the oration for Steven Gerrard.
Jim Gill OBE
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration and economic rebirth of Liverpool
Jim is the former Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, the UK’s first urban regeneration company, and oversaw the enormous redevelopment of Liverpool city centre. He is also the former Chair of the city’s Commercial District BID.
He is a Board Member of FACT, Chair of Professional Liverpool, a Trustee of Liverpool Biennial, a Member of Tate Liverpool Council and a Trustee of Liverpool Habitat for Humanity. In 2007, he was awarded the OBE for services to regeneration.
Read the oration for Jim Gill.
Rosemary Hawley MBE
In recognition of long-standing support and services to LJMU
Rosemary is former High Sheriff of Merseyside and served on LJMU’s Board of Governors for many years. In addition to her dedicated service to the University, Rosemary is Chair of NHS Knowsley and has previously served as Chair of North Mersey Community Trust and the Liverpool Family Health Services Authority, and as a Non-Executive Director of the Regional Health Authority.
During her prolific career working in various health and community organisations, she has also been a Board Member of Guy’s Hospital, the Merseyside Regional Health Authority and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. In 1997, Rosemary was one of the first recipients of the Duncan Society’s Duncan Medal, which is awarded to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the public health and wellbeing of the community. In 2007, she was awarded an MBE for services to healthcare in Merseyside.
Read the oration for Rosemary Hawley.
Norma Heyman
For outstanding contribution to the British film industry
Norma is an award-winning and pioneering producer of some of the UK’s most successful films including Dangerous Liaisons, The Honorary Consul, Buster, Mary Reilly and Mrs Henderson Presents. A founder of the Women in Film and Television organisation, Norma has been active in encouraging new generations of women into the industry.
Read the oration for Norma Heyman.
Andrew Holroyd OBE
For services to law
Andrew is Chief Executive Officer at Jackson and Canter and an active legal aid campaigner. In 2003 he was awarded an OBE for services to publicly funded legal work in Liverpool and in 2008 received a CBE for services to administration of justice. He was President of Liverpool Law Society from 1993 to 1994 and Chair of the Standards Board of the Law Society of England and Wales from 2002 to 2005.
He was elected Deputy Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales by the Council in 2005 to 2006, Vice President from 2006 to 2007 and was President of the Law Society of England and Wales from 2007 to 2008. Andrew is a Lay Canon of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, a Governor of LJMU and a Trustee of Liverpool Community Spirit.
Read the oration for Andrew Holroyd.
Yoong Lai Thye
For dedicated services to higher education
Ms Lai Thye, Principal of TAR College, Malaysia, has played an instrumental role in cementing relations between TAR College and LJMU. This partnership has enabled over thousands of Malaysian students to study at the University since 2002, thanks to a unique collaborative summer semester programme.
Read the oration for Yoong Lai Thye.
John Mohin OBE
In recognition of his commitment to broadening the understanding and appreciation of English ceramics
Born in Liverpool, John has been a keen advocate and champion of the University’s Roscoe Lecture series. As a trustee of Wedgwood and a former director, he has played a key role in strengthening the relationship between Wedgwood and LJMU.
Read the oration for John Mohin.
Esther Rantzen CBE
For outstanding contribution to journalism and for her pioneering work with Childline
Esther became a household name while hosting, writing and producing the consumer show That’s Life from 1973 to 1994. The show was famed for its comical items but these were offset by serious investigative journalism. Esther’s passion for children’s rights was ignited following an appeal to viewers of That’s Life for help on a survey about child abuse. The BBC ran a telephone helpline for 24 hours, which was jammed with calls.
These first calls became the foundations for Childline which was launched in October 1986. Since then Childline has counselled over 1 million children. In recognition of the vital service she helped establish for vulnerable children, Esther was awarded a CBE in 2006. She has served on a number of Government committees, including the National Consumer Council, the Home Office Fear of Crime Committee, the Health Education Authority and the Campaign for Quality Television. She also supports many charities.
Read the oration for Esther Rantzen.
Lord Martin Rees
For outstanding contribution to astronomy
Lord Rees is one of the UK’s most gifted scientists. He is a well-respected author of books on astronomy and science aimed at the general public and he also delivers many public lectures and broadcasts. In 2010 he was chosen to deliver the Reith Lectures for the BBC. In 2005, Rees was elevated to a life peerage, sitting as a crossbencher in the House of Lords. He has been awarded the Crafoord Prize and the Templeton Prize and was President of the Royal Society from 2005 to 2010.
He is also a member of the Board of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, the IPPR, the Oxford Martin School and the Gates Cambridge Trust. He is a co-founder of the Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Future of Life Institute. He is also a former Trustee of the British Museum and the Science Museum.
Read the oration for Lord Martin Rees.
Lord William Rodgers
For outstanding contribution to politics and public service
Lord Rodgers has been actively involved in politics for nearly 50 years. Even as a schoolboy he played a minor part in the General Election of 1945 in Liverpool, where he was born and brought up. He has been an MP, a Cabinet Minister, a founder member of the Social Democratic Party, and a senior Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats in the Lords.
Read the oration for Lord William Rodgers.
Richard Stilgoe OBE
For outstanding contributions to musical theatre and educating young people through performance art
Richard’s 40-year career includes television, with appearances on Nationwide and That’s Life, plus collaborations with Andrew Lloyd Webber, providing the lyrics for Cats, Starlight Express and Phantom of the Opera. He also founded the Orpheus Centre in Surrey, a performing arts centre for young disabled people and regularly presented the Music for Youth School Proms.
Read the oration for Richard Stigoe.
