Honorary Fellows 2011
Paul Barber
For outstanding contribution to the performing arts
Paul is a Liverpool-born actor, best known for his roles as Denzil in Only Fools and Horses and Horse in The Full Monty. His 2008 autobiography Foster Kid: A Liverpudlian Childhood is a frank, funny and heartfelt account of a difficult start in life, and how it is possible to triumph over adversity.
He has helped to raise awareness of how the fostering and care system might be improved, and has worked with young people in care to instill self-belief and the motivation to pursue and achieve their ambitions.
Read the oration for Paul Barber.
Michael Brown CBE
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of 11 years of outstanding service to LJMU
Michael Brown was the Vice-Chancellor of LJMU from 2000 to 2011. During that time he launched the University’s renowned World of Work employability scheme and LJMU’s £180 million campus development programme. He was also heavily involved in establishing the Liverpool Science Park and, as Chairman of the Merseyside and Liverpool Theatres Trust from 2001 to 2014, he played an active role in the rebuilding of the RIBA award-winning Everyman Theatre.
He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Merseyside and former Chair of the Strategy and Performance Committee for Merseyside European Funding, which invested more than £900 million into the county. He continues to play an active role in Liverpool’s cultural and economic life and is currently the Chairman of Alder Hey Children’s Charity. In 2008 he was awarded a CBE in recognition of his services to higher education and his contribution to the wider community of Merseyside.
Read the oration for Michael Brown.
John Flamson
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
After spells at Merseyside County Council and Liverpool City Council, Liverpool-born John joined the Merseyside Development Corporation in 1984, where he became Chief Planner. His subsequent career has included various regeneration roles that contributed to Liverpool’s renaissance, including directing Liverpool City Challenge and the huge European Union investment in the city region.
The EU-funded projects included the expansion of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the construction of the Arena and Convention Centre on Liverpool’s waterfront and the regeneration of New Brighton, among many others. He recently retired as Director of Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Liverpool but continues to work with the university as a Visiting Fellow.
Read the oration for John Flamson.
Peter Johnson
For outstanding contribution to business and society
Peter is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Park Group, the UK’s leading multi-redemption gift voucher business. He was chiefly responsible for transforming this family business from a supplier of Christmas hampers into a highly-profitable company.
He is currently President of Tranmere Rovers Football Club and was Chairman of Everton Football Club between 1994 and 1998. Peter is also a trustee of The Johnson Foundation, a generous supporter of many education, medical, youth and sports projects across Merseyside over the last 21 years.
Read the oration for Peter Johnson.
Tim Johnston
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
Tim is the senior partner of AMION Consulting and leads its Business Planning team, focusing on financial and business planning advisory services. He has led many important local regeneration consultancy projects, including the Liverpool Science Park feasibility study, the masterplan for the renewal of LJMU’s campus and the plan and funding negotiations for the restoration of the St Mary and the Angels Church in West Everton as a rehearsal and education centre for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Read the oration for Tim Johnston.
John Kelly
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
Former Executive Director for Regeneration at Liverpool City Council, John has worked on most of the city’s large economic projects, including the Arena and Conference Centre, the Cruise Liner Terminal, Liverpool One, the successful European Capital of Culture bid, Liverpool Science Park and the planning and development agreements for New Anfield, Edge Lane, the Garden Festival and World Heritage Sites.
Read the oration for John Kelly.
Matthew Kelly
For outstanding contribution to the performing arts
An award-winning actor, Matthew first made his name as a television presenter and became famous for ITV’s Game For A Laugh and Stars In Their Eyes. He regularly appeared at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre early in his career. Matthew won an Olivier Best Actor Award in 2004 for his stage portrayal of Lenny in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men.
His television roles range from a serial killer in ITV’s Cold Blood to Old Mr Turveydrop in the BBC drama Bleak House. In 2010 he played Pozzo in the revival of Waiting For Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket alongside Sir Ian McKellen.
Read the oration for Matthew Kelly.
Sir Richard Lambert
For outstanding contribution to the UK economy and university business engagement
Sir Richard is former director-general of the CBI (Confederation of British Industry). He studied history at Oxford, and then spent 35 years at the Financial Times, serving as editor from 1999 to 2001. On his departure he joined the Monetary Policy Committee and authored Government reports, including the influential 2003 Lambert Review of Business-University Collaboration.
He was knighted in 2011 for service to business. He was a founding member of the LJMU World of Work Board and helped develop the University’s ground-breaking employability programme.
Read the oration for Sir Richard Lambert.
Bernice Law
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
Bernice was Deputy CEO at the Northwest Regional Development Agency and was Chief Operating Officer of the Liverpool Culture Company, where she made a significant contribution to the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
She left a lasting and positive legacy for the people of Liverpool, particularly through her involvement in the Mann Island Development, which includes the Pier Head, the Canal Link and the new Liverpool Museum.
Read the oration for Bernice Law.
David Moyes
For outstanding contribution to football and sportsmanship
Former Manager of Manchester United, Everton and Preston North End football clubs, David was named League Managers Association Manager of the Year three times and was Premier League Manager of the Month on no less than seven occasions.
He made over 550 league appearances as a centre-half in a playing career that began with Glasgow Celtic, where he won a Championship medal.
Read the oration for David Moyes.
Bob Prattey
For outstanding contribution to business and Liverpool
Bob is Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena. He was appointed in 2005 just prior to the on-site construction phase of the now iconic waterside venue. He has since been responsible for the set up and delivery of ACC Liverpool’s corporate structure, marketing and profile in the UK’s conference and arena markets.
Through the successful delivery of major events at both the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, Bob has helped boost Liverpool’s image as a city in which to live, work and invest. ACC Liverpool has played a key role in the city’s growth, actively supporting Liverpool, Merseyside and Northwest- based employees, businesses and suppliers.
Read the oration for Bob Prattey.
Neil Scales OBE
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
Neil is the former Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, the integrated transport network which is responsible for 300 million passenger journeys per year and contributes more than £34 million a year to the region’s tourism economy.
Under Neil’s leadership Merseytravel was transformed into an award-winning learning organisation with the establishment of the Merseylearn Skills for Life programme, which has had significant benefit for the workforce, the company and Merseyside’s travelling public.
Read the oration for Neil Scales.
Oliver Stanley
For outstanding contribution to financial services in Liverpool and publishing
Born in Liverpool in the 1920s, Oliver was educated at Oxford and Harvard universities. He was Chairman of Rathbone Brothers, one of Liverpool’s longest-established companies, for 13 years and the company benefited from his wide-ranging experience in wealth management for almost 30 years.
A member of the Society of Authors since 1967, he is the author of seven works of fiction and non-fiction. He was one of the founders of Profile Books in 1996, one of the UK’s largest independent publishers, which came to prominence when it published Lynne Truss’s million-selling Eats, Shoots and Leaves in 2003. Oliver was the Chairman of Profile between 1996 and 2005 and is now actively involved in various local and national charities.
Read the oration for Oliver Stanley.
Jack Stopforth MBE
For outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool
After retiring as CEO of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Jack is now a Director of the Big Partnership, the largest PR agency in the UK outside London. Jack was appointed CEO of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2005, having previously worked as Managing Director of Cumbria Inward Investment Agency Limited.
Jack is a past member of the Liverpool City Region LEP Shadow Board and The Mersey Partnership Economy Board. He has held several non-executive directorships, including Merseyside Special Investment Fund and Liverpool Community Health Trust as well as serving on the boards of Liverpool University Management School and Liverpool City Central BID. He received his MBE in 2012 for services to regeneration.
Read the oration for Jack Stopforth.
Janet Suzman
For outstanding contribution to the performing arts
Janet became a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963, starting her career there as Joan of Arc in The Wars of the Roses. In 1971 her first film role in Nicholas and Alexandra saw her nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA and the Golden Globe. She has also appeared in many British television drama productions.
Read the oration for Janet Suzman.
Miles Templeman
For outstanding contribution to the UK economy and university business engagement
Miles was appointed Director General of the Institute of Directors (IoD) in 2004, the business organisation that represents and sets standards for company directors. He began his career as a marketing specialist, leading major consumer brands including Lucozade and Levi Jeans before becoming Managing Director of Threshers, Whitbread Beer Company and then Chief Executive of Bulmers.
He is a passionate supporter of enterprise and of the importance of strengthening the UK’s skills and education system and is an LJMU World of Work Board advisory member.
Read the oration for Miles Templeman.
