From bricklayer to the first elected Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram is not only a former LJMU student but works closely with the university on initiatives that benefit the 1.6 million people he represents. This bicentenary year he becomes our first Alumni Ambassador Fellow in recognition of his achievements and how he embodies the values of LJMU.
Valeria completed her PhD in antimicrobial resistance with LJMU having fallen in love with the city during her Erasmus project. She became one of only five winners of the inaugural Pandemic Institute Student Excellence Awards 2022.
James is a mental health nursing graduate, and one of many nursing students who went above and beyond during the Covid-19 pandemic, putting their training into practice to support the NHS during their studies.
Jo is a finance officer and in 2023 celebrated 35 years of working for LJMU. She’s worked across many different departments during her career, and as the university has evolved. During more than three decades of dedicated work, Jo has made lasting friendships along the way and even met her husband here too.
International student Ricky is studying media, culture and communications at LJMU and has embraced the cultural differences of Liverpool compared to his home nation of China.
Joe is the Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and was chosen as one of LJMU’s Bicentenary year honorary fellows because of his impressive career in the NHS and the positive impact of his leadership in the field across Merseyside and beyond.
Louise is the Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust and has a distinguished NHS career spanning more than 30 years. In 2023, she became an honorary fellow of LJMU in recognition of her transformative, visionary leadership in healthcare for the benefit of young people.
Gary is an inspirational alumnus of the Liverpool Polytechnic. Using his background and expertise in computing, teaching and business development, he is truly one of Liverpool’s leading citizens, determined to make positive changes for the people of the city. From his work as a councillor, as the former Lord Mayor, and now as a diversity and equality champion, and ‘pay it forward’ evangelist and major fundraiser, he continues to help people, day in and day out, to reach their potential.
Ruth is one of thousands of mature students to have passed through the doors of LJMU, furthering her own career in children’s care and education after gaining her degree in 2016.
Alex is the Co-founder and Director of Liverpool Arts Bar on Hope Street and in the Baltic Triangle, founded with the ethos of supporting and developing grassroots artists across the city, giving them a platform to showcase and celebrate their work. Along with three fellow LJMU graduates, they opened the bar in 2019, survived the Covid-19 pandemic and can now boast that they have the city’s go-to venues for creatives.