LJMU celebrates Bicentenary by honouring 10 distinguished fellows

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has paid tribute to 10 outstanding individuals during a special event at St George’s Hall, as part of its Bicentenary celebrations.

At the ceremony, attended by their friends, family, LJMU staff, and students, the university honoured these remarkable fellows for their inspirational achievements and significant contributions to enhancing lives in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.

The distinguished group includes notable figures such as; Nikita Parris, a professional footballer and UEFA Euro 2022 winner who is also an LJMU alum; Ngunan Adamu, a BBC Radio Merseyside journalist, producer, and presenter who studied at LJMU; and Bryan Biggs, the Director of Cultural Legacies at the Bluecoat and LJMU alum.

Each fellow was introduced by officers from the students’ union, JMSU, and received a commemorative cap and scroll from Chancellor Nisha Katona and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power.

The event was filled with musical performances by Mercury Strings and LJMU organist Professor Ian Tracey, as well as a spoken word performance by LJMU student Joseph Roberts, titled “Recognition.”

Chancellor Nisha Katona addressed the new fellows, emphasising the importance of their roles as inspiring role models for LJMU students. She expressed her hope that their visibility within the university community would motivate and guide the students toward their aspirations.

Chancellor Nisha Katona said:

“Each one of you was selected and invited to become fellows because you are incredible role models for our students. You represent all that they can aspire to and hope to be. That you are visible and that you are now family is the most important motivation for the long journey ahead of them.

“Our job as fellows, and my job as Chancellor, is to be an ambassador for LJMU, the students and the staff. Spending time with the next generation and keeping a constantly inquisitive mind is, in my view, what keeps us young and useful.

“I urge you to embrace this opportunity to be part of the university. Take every opportunity to meet the students and learn about what they do. It is such a privilege to be in their world and see their hope, their pride and their optimism.”

Vice-Chancellor Mark Power highlighted the common thread connecting the diverse group of fellows: their shared values, ethos, and meaningful connection to the university. He emphasised that these individuals were not just recipients of recognition but were already integral parts of the LJMU family. This formal recognition, he stated, signified a commitment to collaborating with them in the future.

Vice-Chancellor Mark Power said:

“Our fellows are drawn from all walks of life but they have one thing in common: they understand and embrace our ethos, they share our values and our ambitions, and they have a truly meaningful connection to the university.

“Each of the 10 distinguished individuals is already part of our family and I hope with this formal recognition of a fellowship we are not only commemorating their own connection with us but also embracing a commitment to working together in the future.”

The honouring of these new fellows is a significant part of LJMU’s Bicentenary celebrations, commemorating the institution’s rich history and the remarkable individuals who have shaped it into the esteemed university it is today.

The new fellows are:

Nikita Parris, professional footballer, UEFA Euro 2022 winner and LJMU alum.

Ngunan Adamu, BBC Radio Merseyside journalist, producer, presenter and LJMU alum.

Bryan Biggs, Director of Cultural Legacies at the Bluecoat and LJMU alum.

Andy Cooke, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary and HM Chief Inspector of Fire and Rescue Services.

Professor Joe Rafferty CBE, Chief Executive of Mersey Care.

Trish Bennett, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nurse, Mersey Care.

Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHSFT.

Louisa Flitter, Civil Engineering Senior Project Manager, Environment Agency and LJMU alum.

HH Judge Sarah Wright, Circuit Judge, Sheffield Combined Court and LJMU alum.

Jamie Christon DL, Chief Executive of Chester Zoo.