LJMU celebrates new honorary fellows

LJMU has honoured a group of new fellows at a special ceremony at St George’s Hall.

The 16 new honorary fellows have been recognised for their outstanding professional achievements, the values they share with the university and their contributions to society.

Representing a wide range of backgrounds - health, education, music, television, the maritime industry and charitable organisations – the fellows received their awards in front of an audience of family, friends and LJMU staff and students.

Each fellow was announced on stage by an officer from JMSU and presented by a member of LJMU staff before receiving their award from the Chancellor, Nisha Katona, and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark Power.

Each person has been selected and invited to be fellows because they are incredible role models for our students. They represent all that our students can aspire to, all that they can hope to be. To the fellows, I urge you to embrace this opportunity to be part of the university. Take every opportunity you can to meet the students and learn about what it is that they do.  I pay tribute to all of you. You are pillars of our community and we are fortunate to call you family. You are so deserving of this honour.

Nisha Katona, LJMU Chancellor

The new fellows are:

Sonia Bassey MBE. Chair LCVS; Chair Mandela 8; Community Activist and Artist
Sean Curran. Parliamentary Correspondent for BBC News
Bea Freeman. Independent documentary maker, producer/director
Professor Gregory Lip. Director of the Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science
Commander Cedric Loughran RD MNM VR RNR. Former Captain of HMS Eaglet
Claire Madeloso. Headteacher of Archbishop Blanch
Claire McColgan CBE. Director of Culture and Major Events at Liverpool City Council
Julia Midgley. Printmaker and reportage artist
Simon O'Brien. British television actor and radio presenter
Mike Palmer MBE. Co-founder of 3 Dads Walking
Laura Pye. CEO of National Museums Liverpool
Jan Saron-Ross. Chief Executive of the Walton Centre
Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE. CEO Maritime UK
Richard Sinnott. Co-founder of Warrington Rowing Club
Dato Thavalingam C. Thavarajah. Managing partner of T Thavalingam and Co
Commodore Phil Waterhouse DL Royal Navy. Group Corporate Affairs Director, APCL and former Naval Regional Commander North of England

The fellowship is a significant community for our students and for our staff. They are role models, advocates and ambassadors. Each of these distinguished individuals has a connection with LJMU, they are already part of our family and I hope with this formal recognition of a fellowship we are not only commemorating your own meaningful connection with us, we are embracing a commitment to working together in the future.

Professor Mark Power, LJMU Vice-Chancellor