Ambassador fellows
The Ambassador Fellowship of Liverpool John Moores University
From time to time the University bestows the honour of Ambassador Fellow upon an individual who has, through direct involvement with the institution, enabled significant organisational transformation. These individuals have usually already received a Fellowship or have served the University at Board or Executive level.
Ambassador Fellowships have been awarded to:
- Rod Hill
- The Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool
- Michael Brown CBE DL
- John Kennedy CBE DL
- Phil Redmond CBE
- Sir Malcolm Thornton FRSA
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the civic life of the city of Liverpool
Having completed 25 years as an elected representative, first on Liverpool City Council and then 18 years in the Commons, David stepped down in 1997 and was made a Life Peer. That year he was also appointed Chair of LJMU’s Foundation for Citizenship.
Since then he has helped establish and lead the University’s Roscoe Lecture Series - now the largest public lecture series in the UK - and the Good Citizenship Awards, which are now presented in over 800 schools and colleges across Merseyside and the North West.
Read the oration for The Rt. Hon Professor the Lord Alton of Liverpool presented by Jim Davies, High Sheriff of Merseyside.
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sustained success of the university
Rod has lived a life in public service alongside a hugely successful corporate career during which, as Managing Director for Liverpool Airport for ten years, he was responsible for the successful redevelopment of the city’s airport and was instrumental in the first ‘naming’ of an airport in the UK – so we now have the John Lennon Airport as our gateway to the world.
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of outstanding governance of LJMU
A former Mersey Pilot, Sir Malcolm’s political career began in 1965, when he was elected to Wallasey County Borough Council. In 1973 he was elected to Wirral Metropolitan Council, where he served as Leader between 1974 and 1977. In 1979 he was elected Conservative MP for Liverpool Garston (1979- 1983) and then for Crosby (1983-1997). During his parliamentary career his work focused on education, the environment and industry. He chaired the House of Commons Select Committee for Education between 1988 and 1997.
He joined LJMU’s Board of Governors in 2001 and became Chairman and Pro-Chancellor in 2007, a position he held until 2013. During his tenure as Chairman he helped oversee a £160 million campus investment programme, the effective financial management of the University and LJMU’s ground-breaking World of Work employability programme.
Read the oration for Sir Malcolm Thornton presented by Alison Wild.
Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of 11 years of outstanding service to LJMU
Michael Brown was the Vice-Chancellor of LJMU from 2000 to 2011. During that time he launched the University’s renowned World of Work employability scheme and LJMU’s £180 million campus development programme. He was also heavily involved in establishing the Liverpool Science Park and, as Chairman of the Merseyside and Liverpool Theatres Trust from 2001 to 2014, he played an active role in the rebuilding of the RIBA award-winning Everyman Theatre.
He is also a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Merseyside and former Chair of the Strategy and Performance Committee for Merseyside European Funding, which invested more than £900 million into the county. He continues to play an active role in Liverpool’s cultural and economic life and is currently the Chairman of Alder Hey Children’s Charity. In 2008 he was awarded a CBE in recognition of his services to higher education and his contribution to the wider community of Merseyside.
Read the oration for Michael Brown presented by Professor Frank Sanderson.
Ambassador Fellowship for outstanding contributions to LJMU and commitment to Liverpool
Professor Redmond is the creator of three of Britain’s longest-running drama programmes, Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks. He has also written extensively for radio, television and stage. Phil was awarded the Honorary Chair of Media at LJMU in 1989 and was Founder and Chair of the International Centre for Digital Content (ICDC). Phil was also a founder member of the first North West branch of BAFTA and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. He was awarded a CBE for services to drama in 2004.
Phil was also Creative Director during Liverpool’s term as European Capital of Culture 2008 and in 2011 became the Chair of the Institute for Cultural Capital, a joint venture between LJMU and the University of Liverpool. He also chaired the UK City of Culture Independent Advisory Panel. LJMU’s Redmonds Building is named after Phil and his wife, Alexis, also an LJMU Honorary Fellow.
Read the oration for Professor Phil Redmond presented by Professor Frank Sanderson.
John Kennedy CBE DL - 2009
After working in the construction industry, Mr Kennedy founded his own business, John Kennedy Civil Engineering Ltd in 1961. From then until his retirement 5 years ago, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Company, carrying out contracts throughout the United Kingdom. His pre-eminence in his field has brought him numerous honours, including being made a Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transportation in 1992, and Companion of the Institution of Gas Engineers in 1993.
Appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Greater Manchester in 1997, he is a member of the Lord Lieutenant's Advisory Committee and was for several years Chairman of the Trafford Advisory Committee to the Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster, sorting out suitable candidates for the role of justice of the peace.
John has been involved in a wide range of charitable and related activities and has shown a deep commitment to the economic regeneration of the North West. In recent years, he has had increasing involvement with Liverpool John Moores University through the Foundation for Citizenship led by Professor the Lord Alton.
Read the oration for John Kennedy presented by Professor Frank Sanderson.
