Honorary Fellows 2009

Peter Bullivant

For outstanding contribution to the legal profession

Peter specialises in the areas of commercial property, private client and corporate law. He established his own practice, Bullivant Jones, in 1970 and guided the merger of the firm with Hill Dickinson in 2004, where he is now Partner.

Read the oration for Peter Bullivant.

Keith Cameron

For outstanding contribution to professional human resource management and the development of skilled people

Three years after retiring in 2001, following 30 years as a director in six major companies, Keith came out of retirement to become Human Resources Director of Marks and Spencer where he spearheaded important changes at the once ailing retailer, contributing to a reversal in the company’s fortunes.

Read the oration for Keith Cameron.

Sir Philip Craven MBE

For outstanding contribution to the development of the Paralympics

A five-time Paralympian, Sir Philip represented Great Britain in wheelchair basketball from 1969 to 1993 and swimming in 1972, before becoming the President of the International Paralympic Committee. In 1991, he was awarded an MBE for services to wheelchair basketball and in 2005 received his knighthood for services to Paralympic sport. 

He is also a member of the International Olympic Committee and was a prominent figure on the London 2012 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also serves on the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Administration Council for the International Committee for Fair Play.

Read the oration for Sir Philip Craven.

Pauline Daniels

For outstanding and multiple contributions to the performing arts

One of Britain’s best known comediennes, Birkenhead-born Pauline is a star of stage and screen. She first found fame as the first female comic on TV show The Comedians and has performed at various venues across the globe. She is currently heavily involved with the Liverpool Actors’ Studio.

Read the oration for Pauline Daniels.

Dr Simon Fishel

For outstanding contributions to the field of fertility treatment including embryology and IVF

Simon is an acclaimed international scientist and is regarded as one of the world’s most eminent specialists in the treatment of infertility. He was part of the team that led to the first IVF birth in 1978 and has pioneered several IVF technologies since that time. He has published over 200 papers and received many international awards for his ground- breaking work.

Read the oration for Dr Simon Fishel.

John Kennedy CBE

Ambassador Fellowship in recognition of outstanding services to business and charity

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.

Ian Smith

For outstanding leadership in the ICT business and the development of skilled people

Ian is Chairman of Young Enterprise and Managing Partner of AndersonBick Consultants LLP, his executive coaching consultancy. Until recently he was the Regional Senior Vice-President of Oracle UK, Ireland and Israel, a post he held for nine years. He has served on the Executive of the Information Age Partnership, the E-Skills Board, the CBI President’s Committee, the National Employment Panel, and chaired the Leadership and Management Panel on behalf of the UK government.

Ian has also served as the Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for South East England. He has held the post of President of the Institute of Customer Services since its inception over ten years ago. Until 2008, he served on the Board of Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise Europe.

Read the oration for Ian Smith.

Rita Tushingham

For outstanding and sustained contribution to the performing arts

Hailing from the city, actress Rita’s professional debut was at the Liverpool Playhouse. She went on to star in the film, A Taste of Honey, a performance which won her a Golden Globe, Best Actress at Cannes and a British Academy Award. 

Among her wide-ranging work, she is best-known for roles in Doctor Zhivago, The Knack, Girl With Green Eyes and The Leather Boys.

Read the oration for Rita Tushingham.

Nicholas Wainwright

For outstanding contribution to gemmology and business leadership

Regarded as Britain’s leading jewellery gem specialist, Nicholas first joined Boodles in 1967 and is now the Chairman of the company. His role is as diverse as ever, as he takes an interest in every aspect of the business, from mentoring staff to hosting events. He is a fellow of the Gemmological Association, with over 35 years’ experience of sourcing, choosing and mounting the world’s finest precious stones.

Read the oration for Nicholas Wainwright.