Andy Cooke has a distinguished policing career spanning more than 30 years, eventually seeing him taking on the highest role within Merseyside Police as Chief Constable. In 2023, he became a Bicentenary year honorary fellow in recognition of his outstanding achievements and the positive impact of his leadership in policing, both locally and nationally.
Nickianne worked at LJMU for just short of 30 years, teaching on and then leading the university’s Media and Cultural Studies provision. Sadly, she died in 2019 following a period of illness, leaving behind a multitude of memories and legacies for students and academics alike.
Rio Boothe is an LJMU student and a para-athlete. He competes in athletics with the Manchester Harriers and with the LJMU Athletics Team. He’s a real role model for others with disabilities and is striving to raise awareness about the challenges disabled people face when trying to access sport.
Rachael is the winner of the Rose Paterson Sportswoman Community Award 2023 for her dedication to the sport of netball in Liverpool. Not only is she an inspiring community sports coach she juggles teaching and being a mum alongside her own development, having most recently gained an MPhil with LJMU.
Professor Mike Riley has worked at LJMU for some 33 years and is the Director of the School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment. He is passionate about giving students the tools they need to be the best that they can be in the world of building and construction.
Niamh is a professional footballer and was in the history making Lionesses squad, the England women’s football team, that made it to the final of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She’s an alumna from our School of Sport and Exercise Sciences and was supported during her studies as a Sports Scholar.
Fadi is a 2023 graduate from the maritime business and management programme. He came to the UK as a refugee, having fled his home in Damascus, Syria, and gaining his initial qualifications in Greece. He used his dissertation research to highlight the challenges facing the shipping sector and their obligations under international law to help vessels in distress, including refugee and migrant boat crossings.
A prominent figure in the founding of the Liverpool Mechanics’ Institute, bringing accessible education to the working classes.
Gaby is the 2022/23 Liverpool John Moores Students’ Union (JMSU) Vice President for Community and Wellbeing, and as an international student herself, champions the diverse student population who have found their home at the university and in the city of Liverpool.
Julia is an award-winning artist who specialises in documentary drawing and reportage. As an LJMU veteran of more than 25 years before retiring in 2013, Julia is our Bicentenary year Artist in Residence, capturing special moments through watercolour sketches to help record this significant moment in our history.