Joe is the Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and was chosen as one of LJMU’s Bicentenary year honorary fellows because of his impressive career in the NHS and the positive impact of his leadership in the field across Merseyside and beyond.
Ruth is one of thousands of mature students to have passed through the doors of LJMU, furthering her own career in children’s care and education after gaining her degree in 2016.
Jamie Christon is the Chief Executive of Chester Zoo and was chosen as one of 10 new honorary fellows during LJMU’s Bicentenary year. The honour reflects his work driving forward conservation at the zoo, preventing extinction in a changing world, and working collaboratively with organisations, partners, and visitors.
Gary is a paramedic science graduate of LJMU with over two decades of experience in the ambulance service. He has now made the transition to become a full-time member of staff at the university, teaching the next generation of health professionals. In 2023 he was named as an Outstanding Teacher at the students’ union awards after being nominated by his students.
Emily is LJMU’s Archivist and Special Collections Librarian, responsible for looking after the university’s collection of rare, unique and distinctive books and archive materials. It was during her time at school that she first began thinking about a career working as the custodian of such special documents, publications and artefacts.
Phil is the founder of a Liverpool-based mental health social enterprise called The Mind Map, helping to improve people’s mental health through counselling, training and awareness. It was his own experiences growing up that influenced his decision to set-up the organisation.
Gordon plays a key role in Liverpool’s lively theatre scene as the Artistic Director and CEO of Unity Theatre, a venue that started life in the 1930s and continues to explore current societal matters through its performances. As an LJMU drama alum, he continues to support current students who were once in his shoes and is proud to have many new graduates working at Unity today.
Clodagh is the 2022/23 Liverpool John Moores Students’ Union (JMSU) Vice President for Activities and through her ‘Challenge Clodagh’ initiative, is improving access and representation across student sports teams and societies.
Chris was born during the Second World War and only studied at university much later in life, like many of the mature students that choose to study with LJMU. He also had a late dyslexia diagnosis, making him realise he just had a different way of thinking and learning.
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.