Honorary Fellows 2016
The Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the civic life of the city of Liverpool
Having completed 25 years as an elected representative, first on Liverpool City Council and then 18 years in the Commons, David stepped down in 1997 and was made a Life Peer. That year he was also appointed Chair of LJMU’s Foundation for Citizenship.
Since then he has helped establish and lead the University’s Roscoe Lecture Series - now the largest public lecture series in the UK - and the Good Citizenship Awards, which are now presented in over 800 schools and colleges across Merseyside and the North West.
Read the oration for The Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool.
Sir Peter Bazalgette
For outstanding contributions to creative arts, media and entertainment
Chairman of the Art Council England and prolific figure in independent TV production, Peter received an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contributions to creative arts, media and entertainment.
Speaking at the graduation, Sir Peter began by commenting that it was a happy coincidence that the cathedral is a triumph of art, design and engineering given that today's ceremony recognised the achievements of graduates in those subject areas. He added: "When you combine the arts and design and creative flair with engineering, science and technology you get brilliant outcomes."
Read the oration for Sir Peter Bazalgette.
Dr John Cater CBE
For outstanding contributions to higher education
Dr John Cater has been Vice-Chancellor at Edge Hill University since 1993 and is the longest serving head of any education institution in the country. He has transformed Edge Hill University from a college faced with closure to a thriving university campus acclaimed for high levels of student satisfaction and enhancement of social mobility.
Through 20 plus years of exceptional leadership, it has become a diverse university teaching 16,000 students, financially the best-performing full university in the country, and undertaking world-leading research.
Read the oration for Dr John Cater CBE.
Louise Ellman MP
For outstanding contribution to politics and support of the constituents of Liverpool
Louise’s political career began in 1970 as a Councillor at Lancashire County Council, where she was elected to represent Skelmersdale. In 1981 she became Leader of the Council and played an active role in improving Lancashire’s economic prosperity.
Louise became MP for Liverpool Riverside at the 1997 General Election, a seat she has held at successive general elections.
Read the oration for Louise Ellman.
The Rt Hon Frank Field MP
For outstanding contribution to the Liverpool city region and its constituents
Frank has over 30 years’ service as Labour MP for the Birkenhead constituency, being first elected in 1979. During his career, he has actively campaigned against poverty and for income redistribution.
He is widely regarded and respected across all political parties as a great statesman and parliamentarian, with his personal mission to build a new consensus around the meaning and causes of poverty.
Read the oration for The Rt Hon Frank Field MP.
His Honour, Judge Clement Goldstone QC
For outstanding contribution to the law
His Honour Judge Clement Goldstone, Queens Counsel, and the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool realised early on that the law was for him. He read law at Churchill College, Cambridge, was admitted as a student at Middle Temple, passed the bar examinations and began his practice in Manchester chambers 45 years ago.
His ability, experience, and contribution to the law makes him eminently suited to this high office. He was acknowledged by his peers in 2004 when he was elected a Bencher (Governor) of Middle Temple.
Lord Hall of Birkenhead
For outstanding contribution to media and entertainment
Appointed the 16th Director-General of the BBC in 2012, he joined the corporation back in 1973 as a news trainee and during a 28 year career there held roles including Senior Producer at World at One, Assistant Editor of the Nine O'Clock News, Output Editor for Newsnight, culminating as Chief Executive of BBC News (1996-2001).
While at the BBC he launched Radio 5 live, BBC News 24, BBC News Online and BBC Parliament. He was appointed a CBE in 2005 and in 2010 was created a life peer with the title Baron Hall of Birkenhead. He sits on the Crossbenches in the House of Lords.
Read the oration for Lord Hall of Birkenhead.
Steve Hawkins
For outstanding contribution to charity services in Liverpool and across the North West
Steve has worked for Local Solutions for over three decades, ten of those as Chief Executive, helping to improve the quality of life for service users across Liverpool and the North West. Steve has spent all of his working life in the voluntary sector and the NHS.
His career began as a volunteer supporting homeless people in the night shelter in Liverpool Metropolitan’s Cathedral Crypt. In a parallel career, Steve has served as a Non-Executive Director in the NHS, including eight years as Chairman of Merseycare NHS Trust.
Read the oration for Steve Hawkins.
Robert Hough CBE DL
For outstanding contribution to business and regeneration in the North West
Robert was Chairman of the Manchester Ship Canal Company from 1987 to 2002. He was a Director and Deputy Chairman of Peel Holdings until 2009.
Peel Holdings is one of the largest infrastructure, real estate and investment enterprises in the UK with a diverse network of businesses ranging from ports to airports; land to leisure; media to hotels; wind farms to biomass; and a portfolio of investments in major public companies.
Robert has served as High Sheriff of the County of Greater Manchester and is a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Greater Manchester.
Read the oration for Robert Hough CBE DL.
Simon Kirby
For outstanding contributions to engineering and to regeneration
Simon joined HS2 in May 2014 from Network Rail where he was Managing Director of Infrastructure Projects. This role meant that he was responsible for the delivery of all large enhancement and renewal infrastructure projects, such as the redevelopment of King's Cross station in London, the Forth Bridge overhaul and the Thameslink upgrade. He joined the Network Rail Board in 2008, having been with the Company since 2003.
Read the oration for Simon Kirby.
Ann Marr
For outstanding contribution to the Health Service
Ann has worked in the NHS for over 30 years, having started her career as a junior clerk. Qualifying as an accountant through a day release study scheme, she eventually progressed to Director of Finance at two neighbouring NHS trusts before becoming Chief Executive of the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in 2001. She was appointed Chief Executive of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in 2003. Under her leadership, she has created a culture and environment which enables staff to deliver high quality care.
Read the oration for Ann Marr.
Councillor Gary Millar
For outstanding contribution to Liverpool city region and its people
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool, local councillor, music entrepreneur and businessman Gary Miller hails from Scotland but has lived and worked in Liverpool for over three decades. A graduate of Liverpool Polytechnic, Gary’s political career began in 2008 when he was elected to Liverpool City Council for the Old Swan Ward. Since then he has served as Cabinet Lead for Culture and Tourism, as a board member for Stepclever, Liverpool BID, LGA Culture Committee, and the Arts Council. He is also a Trustee of Liverpool Students’ Union and St George’s Hall Charitable Trust.
In May 2013, Gary became Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Co-owner of Parr Street Studios, Gary has won numerous awards including DLIB Business Personality of the Year, Liverpool ECHO Enterprise Champion, LJMU Alumnus of the Year, and Liverpool’s Best Dressed Businessman.
Read the oration for Councillor Gary Millar.
Emma Rodgers
For outstanding contribution to art
Described “as one of Britain's leading ceramic sculptors”, artist Emma Rodgers has pioneered new boundaries for age-old mediums of clay and bronze. she has exhibited all over the UK and around the world.
Locally, she had a solo exhibition at the Bluecoat Display Centre, and her work featured in the Walker Art Gallery’s exhibition, The Rise of Women Artists. Nationally, her work has been displayed in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and Saatchi Collect with international exhibitions in Belgium, Texas, New York and Singapore, where she won the National Critics Choice award in the Best of British exhibition.
Read the oration for Emma Rodgers.
