Sir John Moores 1896-1993

  • A black and white photograph of Joh stood on a football pitch with two players stood either side of him
  • A black and white photograph of John stood to the left of a Rolls Royce car featuring a registration plate with the letters J M 1

In 1992, Liverpool Polytechnic achieved university status, and was named after Sir John Moores, a choice that the first Vice-Chancellor, Professor Peter Toyne, described as being 'in the spirit of optimism'.

Sir John Moores was a remarkable individual who embodied the ethos of the city and the new university through his entrepreneurial approach to life and philanthropy.

A true visionary and a shrewd, successful businessman, who founded in 1923, and headed until 1982, what was then the UK's largest and most profitable privately owned company, Littlewoods, comprising retailing, mail order and the football pools.

Based in Liverpool, the impact of the family business was immense, and in 1987 the Polytechnic recognised Sir John's outstanding contribution to the region's business and community life by making him its first Honorary Fellow.

The university is a lasting memorial to an individual who did so much to build a highly successful business from humble origins and to encourage others to strive for excellence

Sir John's eldest son, John Moores Jr, served as the university's second Chancellor from 1994 to 1999, succeeding Henry Cotton. His eldest daughter, Lady Grantchester, was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the University in 2015.