Inaugural Lecture Series 2007/08 - University of Liverpool

John joins the team
The University has appointed its
first Director of Strategic
Partnerships and Development.
John Flamson (above) will join the
institution in March 2008 from his
position as Deputy Regional Director
(Strategic Business) at the Government
Office for the North West (GONW).
John has a wealth of experience in
the city and the region, but also has an
active involvement in the University and
its work. He has been a member of the
University Council, latterly as Deputy
Treasurer, and is also chair of the Alumni
Board. An alumnus himself (BA Hons
Geography 1973, MCD 1975), he is also
the enthusiastic Chairman – and regular
player - of Convocation Football Club,
the University’s alumni team which plays
in the region’s veterans circuit.
The Vice-Chancellor announced
John’s appointment shortly before
Christmas. He said: “At GONW John
oversaw numerous significant
investments which continue to have an
impact on the region's regeneration. In
his new role at the University he will still
be involved, albeit in a different capacity,
in the city's regeneration.
“He will be responsible for
spearheading the University's
international, Government, regional
and business relationships and
developments, as part of our overarching
strategy to 'invest, collaborate
and grow'.”
John says he is very much looking
forward to working at his alma mater. He
added: “I have very much enjoyed my
time at GONW but this is an exciting new
challenge for me.
“I am already very involved in, and
passionate about, the work of the
University and am keen to play a part in
its future. In many ways, it will be like an
enthusiastic supporter being invited to
step down from the terraces and play in
the team. I have huge admiration for
many at the University and have already
been warmly welcomed. It’s a great
place with a great mission that is firmly
on an upward curve.”
New Year Honours
The 2008 New Year Honours List has bestowed
prestigious accolades upon two prominent
University figures.
Professor Ole Petersen (above), who is the George
Holt Professor of Physiology, has been appointed
Commander of the Order of the British
Empire (CBE).
Ole, who is also Medical Research Council
Research Professor, said: “I am delighted to have
been awarded a CBE and am particularly pleased
that the citation is for services to science. I am both
grateful and happy that my scientific work and
involvement with many scientific societies, including
the Royal Society and the Physiological Society,
have been recognised in this way.
“The award is a major encouragement to my
research group and myself in our continuing efforts
to understand the mechanisms underlying acute
pancreatitis.”
Pancreatitis is a common and serious illness
caused by gallstones or by drinking excess
alcohol. It is often fatal as the pancreas digests itself
and its surroundings.
Currently, there are no drugs to successfully treat
the disease so the work that is being carried out by
the research group is vital. They are looking at the
involvement of changes in calcium ion
concentrations as a trigger of pancreatitis and have
recently been awarded a Medical Research Council
grant to test substances that could be used to
prevent or treat the disease.
Also included in the honours list is Paula Ridley
(below), who was a member of the University
Council until December 2007. She received a CBE
for her services to the arts, which have included
chairing the board of the Victoria and Albert
Museum for nine years and working as Trustee for
the Tate Gallery and Liaison Trustee for the National
Gallery. She was also the first Chairman of Tate
Liverpool and Director of the UK branch of the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, one of the largest
grant-giving organisations in the arts in the UK.
A graduate of the University and former Lady
President of the Guild of Undergraduates, Paula
was also awarded an Honorary Degree in 2003.
She is one of the patrons of the University’s appeal
for the Victoria Gallery and Museum, which is due
to open in July 2008.
Also celebrating achievement and service, the
University conferred honorary degrees upon a
number of distinguished figures in December.
See page 24 for the full story.
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