Michelin chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen & renowned poet Lemn Sissay OBE to be recognised by University of Lancashire
The University of Lancashire has just announced the five Lancastrians who are set to be honoured next week.
A top chef and a renowned poet are among five people with strong links to Lancashire who are being recognised with academic honours next week.
Michelin starred Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Chef Patron‑Director of Northcote, and author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay OBE will take to the University of Lancashire’s graduation stage to receive Honorary Awards.
They will be joined in Preston by mental health campaigners Paul and Sharon O’Gara, and civic engagement champion Peter Lumsden, who have also been named as recipients.
Taking place from Monday, July 6 to Friday, July 10 in the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, the University’s degree and award celebrations will see around 4,500 students don their academic caps and gowns across 13 graduation ceremonies.
Post-event celebrations for graduates and their guests will take place on University Square, in the heart of the Preston Campus.
Live streaming will be available on the University’s YouTube channel for those who cannot make it in person.
On Monday, Lemn will be recognised with an Honorary Doctorate for the significant contribution he has made to literature and the arts.
The renowned poet, playwright, and broadcaster grew up in care, and his experiences have led to him becoming a passionate advocate for social justice.
The Lancastrian has published 10 books and written several plays which challenge injustice, celebrate identity, and inspire hope.
He has received an OBE for services to literature and charity and was the official poet for the London 2012 Olympics.
Paul and Sharon are being recognised on Wednesday with Honorary Fellowships for their significant contribution to mental health awareness, community unity, and positive change.
The couple transformed the pain of losing their daughter to suicide into purpose, by establishing the Mary O’Gara Foundation.
Through community outreach, public speaking, and collaboration with local mental health organisations, the Prestonians have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of early intervention and compassionate support.
On Thursday, Retired biosciences’ academic Peter will be honoured with an Honorary Doctorate on Thursday for the significant contribution he has made to community engagement and social justice.
He has been a champion of civic engagement, interfaith collaboration and social justice throughout Lancashire for decades.
He has held senior roles including Chair of the Preston Faith Forum, Chair of the Preston chapter of Citizens UK, Treasurer of the Lancashire Forum of Faiths, and Trustee of Building Bridges Burnley.
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Lisa, who will take to the stage on Friday to receive her Honorary Fellowship, is being recognised for the significant contribution she has made to British cuisine and the hospitality sector.
The Michelin starred chef leads the culinary team at Northcote and her exceptional skill and remarkable vision has been recognised with numerous industry awards.
The proud Lancastrian has cooked for royalty, and she regularly appears on national TV cookery shows including MasterChef: The Professionals, Saturday Kitchen, and James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
Alumni Achievement Awards will also be handed out during the ceremonies: this year’s recipients are Edward Jolly, Paul Hornby MBE and Mark Hardy.
Edward, who graduated with a BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering in 2005 and an MSc Building Services in 2007, will receive the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths award.
He became involved in some of the world’s most complex engineering projects including the world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, a FIFA World Cup stadium in Qatar, and 23 Marina, the world’s tallest fully residential tower.
Accounting and MBA graduate Paul, who completed his undergraduate in 1998 and master’s two years’ later, is receiving the Society and Community prize.
The Chairman of Barrow Football Club and Managing Director of family accountancy firm JF Hornby & Co created a foundation which has given £400,000 in grants to a wide range of charitable, voluntary and grassroots organisations across Furness.
The Lifetime Achievement award will go to Mark, who graduated in 1994 from the BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion course. He has a rich history in marketing and PR, having created and led some of the world’s most iconic brands.
He held senior leadership roles at Disney, Sony PlayStation, Sony Music and Syco Entertainment (The X-Factor and Britain’s Got Talent TV shows) and now runs his own garden and landscape design practice.