Honorary Fellowships 2011: first names announced

28 June 2011

Honorary Fellowships are given in recognition of outstanding achievement by an individual in a given field or profession and to those who exemplify LJMU's ethos to 'dream, plan and achieve.'

Professor Michael Brown, LJMU's Vice Chancellor, said:

"Our Honorary Fellows have all demonstrated exceptional determination to succeed, and many have supported higher education either directly or by inspiring current and future generations of graduates through their business, performing arts or economic contribution to society. We are delighted to welcome these inspirational figures into the University family and recognise their outstanding achievements.”

This year LJMU will award Honorary Fellowships to:

Paul Barber for his outstanding contribution to the performing arts over the last 30 years - on stage, television and film. 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.

John Flamson for his outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. John first joined the Merseyside Development Corporation in 1984 as Chief Planner and his subsequent career has included many regeneration roles that have contributed to Liverpool’s current renaissance. He is currently Director of Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Liverpool.

Philip Green: outstanding contribution to the UK economy and university-business engagement. Philip became Chief Executive of United Utilities PLC, one of the largest UK utility companies, in 2006. He has overseen a renewed focus on its core business, which has resulted in a near-doubling of profits. He was previously CEO of P&O Nedlloyd, one of the largest container shipping companies in the world, where he also increased operating profit significantly. Philip is a founding member of the LJMU WoW® (World of Work) Advisory Board. Philip is personally involved in several philanthropic projects in southern Africa - building a kindergarten in a township in South Africa that holds 150 under 6’s daily; developing a Community Sports Centre in the same township, having raised £1million. He’s also involved with a school for street children in Tanzania and prison work in South Africa.

Tan Sri Dato Dr Hj Yahaya Ibrahim, Chairman of Institut Megatech: outstanding contribution to education and people development – to be awarded in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday 19th February during the Malaysian Graduation. Dr Hj Yahaya Ibrahim is the Chairman of Institut Megatech, and leads its business ethos to educate and create a world of opportunities for future generations through Education, Technology and Enterprise. Dr Haji Yahaya Ibrahim is one of the most innovative and dedicated educationalists in Malaysia reflected in the many public awards he has received during his long and distinguished career in teaching, in government and later in retirement.

Peter Johnson: outstanding contribution to business and society. Peter is a Birkenhead based businessman and football investor. Over the last 40 years, he has transformed the family business from a supplier of Christmas hampers into the highly-profitable Park Group, the UK's leading multi-redemption gift voucher business. He takes a keen interest in football – originally a Red, he is currently the owner and Chairman of Tranmere Rovers F.C., and was chairman of Everton F.C. between 1994 and 1998. Peter is also a trustee of The Johnson Foundation, which has been a generous supporter of many education, medical, youth and sports projects across Merseyside over the last 21 years.

Tim Johnston: outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. Tim is a Partner Director of Liverpool based independent consultancy AMION Consulting leading its Business Planning team, focusing on financial and business planning advisory services. Prior to establishing AMION, Tim was KPMG's UK Head of Infrastructure and Government Line of Business. 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.

John Kelly: outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. John was Executive Director for Regeneration at Liverpool City Council until 2010. He 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 bid to be European Capital of Culture, creation of a new Science Park company with the city’s two universities and the planning and development agreements for New Anfield, Edge Lane, the Garden Festival and World Heritage Sites.

Sir Richard Lambert: outstanding contribution to the UK economy and university-business engagement. Richard has been director-general of the CBI (The Confederation of British Industry) from 2006 until January 2011. The first in his family to go to university, he studied history at Oxford, and then spent 35 years at the Financial Times. During his ten years as editor, he doubled the circulation and launched the title in the US. 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 the 2011 New Year Honours for service to business. Sir Richard is a founding member of the LJMU WoW® (World of Work) Board.

Bernice Law: outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. Bernice was Deputy CEO at the Northwest Regional Development Agency and, on secondment to the Liverpool Culture Company, as their Chief Operating Officer from August 2007. She made a significant contribution to the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture, leaving 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.

Bob Prattey, Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool: outstanding contribution to business and Liverpool. Bob was appointed as ACC Liverpool's Chief Executive in 2005 just prior to the on site construction phase of the projects and 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 market. Through the successful delivery of major events at ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, Bob has helped to 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. Under Bob's leadership, the venue has contributed an estimated £400 million in economic benefit to the city since opening in 2008.

Neil Scales: outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. Neil is Chief Executive and Director General of Merseytravel, which promotes an integrated transport network responsible for 300 million passenger journeys per year. Merseytravel owns and operates the famous Mersey Ferries and associated tourism attractions, contributing more than £34 million a year to the region's tourism economy. Under Neil’s leadership Merseytravel has been transformed into an award-winning learning organisation with the establishment of the Merseylearn Skills for Life programme, which has had significant benefits for the workforce, the company and Merseyside’s travelling public.

Oliver Stanley: 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 one of Liverpool’s longest-established companies Rathbone Brothers for 13 years and the company benefitted 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 both 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 helping the aged, the infirm and carers.

Jack Stopforth: outstanding contribution to the regeneration of Liverpool. Jack joined the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce as Chief Executive in 2005, after managing Cumbria Inward Investment Agency for eight years. Born in Liverpool, he spent his early career as a development economist in London. He returned to work in Merseyside first as Chief Economic Adviser to Merseyside County Council and latterly as owner manager of two public affairs, public relations and advertising companies. Jack believes that the Chamber should not just represent business but, where appropriate, set the policy agenda in discussion with employers, key public agencies and government. His work ethos has helped improve Liverpool's physical infrastructure and stimulate its economy.