Professor Monica Grady
As Chancellor Professor Grady is the ceremonial head of the University and plays an important ambassadorial role. She acts as an advocate for the University, helping to raise the University’s profile and advance its interests.
Monica Grady is Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences in the School of Physical Sciences at the Open University (OU) in Milton Keynes. Her undergraduate studies were at St Aidan’s College, University of Durham (1976-1979) in the Departments of Chemistry and Geology, followed by postgraduate studies at Darwin College, University of Cambridge (1979 -1983), where she completed her PhD which focussed on carbon in meteorites. Professor Grady worked at the OU until 1991, then moved to the Natural History Museum in London, where she curated the national meteorite collection, until re-joining the OU as Professor in 2005. She also holds a position as a Senior Research Fellow at the Natural History Museum.
Professor Grady has led major research programmes in the study of the origin and evolution of the Solar System through measurement of meteorites. Her particular research interests are in the fields of carbon and nitrogen chemistry. One of her major areas has been the study of the history of carbon and water on Mars. Because of her work, Professor Grady was appointed by the European Space Agency to serve on international boards convened to define standards for the safe handling of samples returned from Mars. In honour of her contributions to the field, the International Astronomical Union named Asteroid 4731 ‘Monicagrady’. In June 2012, she was appointed a Commander in the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to Space Sciences. Professor Grady gave the Royal Institution Christmas lectures in 2003 on the theme ‘Voyage in Space and Time’.
Professor Grady was born in Leeds, Yorkshire in 1958, the eldest of eight children. She is married to Ian Wright, Emeritus Professor of Space Sciences at the Open University. They have one son, Jack, and a grandson, Matthew. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Liverpool Hope in July 2019.
Professor Gerald Pillay
Professor Gerald Pillay, the Vice-Chancellor & Rector, is the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and, amongst many other things, is responsible to University Council for the organisation, direction and management of the University and leadership of the staff.
Professor Pillay, a citizen of New Zealand, was born in the former British colony of Natal in South Africa. He is widely published and has a distinguished academic career. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Rhodes University and a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Durban. After lecturing at the University of Durban-Westville, Professor Pillay became Professor of Ecclesiastical History at the University of South Africa in 1988.
In 1997 Professor Pillay became Foundation Professor and Head of the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Otago University, New Zealand’s oldest University, based in Dunedin. In 1998, he was asked to serve as the first Head of Liberal Arts within that University. He has served in senior leadership roles at The University of South Africa and the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria and has lectured in several institutions abroad.
Professor Pillay joined Liverpool Hope University College as Rector in 2003 and become Liverpool Hope University’s first Vice-Chancellor in 2005 when the institution was given full university status.
In 2009, Professor Pillay was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Merseyside, assisting the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside in carrying out her role as the Queen’s representative on Merseyside.
University Council is responsible for managing the business and affairs of the University. This includes determining our mission and policies as well as ensuring the financial solvency of the institution. All plans for academic work, the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor and the Rectorate team, as well as the level of tuition fees, must be agreed by the Council.
For full biographies and council minutes, please visit our University Council page.
The University Senior Executive Team (USET) comprises the University's leaders who all report to the Vice-Chancellor & Rector.
Vice-Chancellor
Professor Gerald Pillay
Professor Gerald Pillay is Vice-Chancellor & Rector of Liverpool Hope University. The Office of the Vice-Chancellor is managed by Mrs Sheila Hayes.
The Vice-Chancellor & Rector is also the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the University and, amongst many other things, is responsible to University Council for the organisation, direction and management of the University and leadership of the staff.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor
The Revd Professor Kenneth GC Newport
With responsibility for academic development throughout the University, including leading planning and implementing strategies to improve scholarship, recruitment of high quality staff, developing key research clusters, responsibility for the Personnel Office and overseeing Quality Assurance & Enhancement.
Executive Director of Finance, Services and Resources
Ms Sue Beecroft
With responsibility for resource allocation, development and maintenance of the estate, budgeting and financial planning.
The Office has overall responsibility for the following:-
- Accommodation
- Catering
- Conferences and Events
- Estates
- Environmental Sustainability
- Finance
- Strategic Business Units:
- Plas Caerdeon Outdoor Education Centre
- Hope Park Sports Centre
- Domestic Services
- Campus Operatives
- Payroll
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost
Dr Penny Haughan
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) and Provost has strategic responsibility for the whole Student Experience from Schools outreach Student Enrolment through to Graduation and beyond. This includes responsibility for corporate communications, UK and International recruitment of students, pastoral care, student records, learning resources and Learning and Teaching. Penny works closely with the Academic Schools and has overall responsibility for Quality Assurance & Enhancement, including meeting conditions of registration related to academic quality and performance. This includes chairing the University Assessment and Award Boards. She is responsible for oversight of the University’s interactions with external bodies such as the OFS and compliance with their requirements. Dr Haughan is also Chair of the Senate Academic Committee. The term ‘Provost’ which is added to the DVC's title reflects that Dr Haughan has responsibility for the University’s International Strategy and that she regularly represents the VC in interactions with senior colleagues in International Partnership Institutions.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost has specific responsibility for the following:
- International Partnerships and International Student Hub
- Corporate Communications and Marketing
- UK and international student recruitment and admissions
- Library and Learning Resources
- Student pastoral care and Wellbeing
- Student services
- Learning and Teaching
- Student Administration
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research)
Professor Atulya K Nagar
With overall responsiblity for the University's Research, REF preparations and submission as an institutional lead, and responsbility for all aspects of Postgraduate Research. Professor Nagar chairs the University Senate's Research Committee.
The Board of Regents supports the University's Strategic Development agenda. Regents act as advocates for the University, helping to connect the University to people, networks and organisations who recognise and wish to contribute to the mission and values of Hope.
Rosemary Hawley
Rosemary Hawley MBE, JP was born in New Delhi and educated at Lady Eleanor Holles School in South-West London and King’s College, London, where she read for a degree in English. Following a period of service overseas in Ghana teaching her subject in a teachers’ training college and some community service in South Wales, marriage to Anthony in Wolverhampton then took Rosemary with her husband to Bermondsey. There she worked with the local Community Health Council and served on the Board of Guy’s Hospital.
Her record of nearly a quarter century of service in the NW region included Board membership of Merseyside Regional Health Authority and Liverpool Family Health Service Authority, the chairmanship of North Mersey Community NHS Trust, of Knowsley Primary Care Trust and of Liverpool’s prestigious School of Tropical Medicine, as well as 9 years membership of the Board of Governors at Liverpool John Moores University. She has served as a magistrate and as High Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside and remains a trustee of The Reader Organisation. In July 2012, Rosemary received an honorary award of Doctor of Laws at The University of Liverpool.
Dame Lorna Muirhead
John Kennedy
John Kennedy is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. He founded John Kennedy Civil Engineering in 1961 and built it into one of the most successful construction and engineering businesses in the UK. He sold the company in the 1990s to a major international corporation and focussed on assisting the growth of a range of new enterprises while also creating the John Kennedy Charitable Foundation which has invested in tremendous causes throughout the UK, Africa and South America.
John served on the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) as well as numerous other public and private sector initiatives to assist the economy, environment and infrastructure in his adopted home and business base in North West England. He founded the annual John Kennedy Lecture at the Institute of Irish Studies at Liverpool University while also sitting on the governing body of Liverpool John Moores University.
Awarded the CBE in 2003, John who was raised and educated in County Mayo in Ireland, was honoured with a Papal Knighthood from John Paul the Second in 2005. Both honours acknowledged his unique and persistent contribution to civil life and to charities at home and abroad. He was entered into the Equestrian Order of St. Gregory The Great in 2006 by the Bishop of Shrewsbury and later into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St.George in a special ceremony at Westminster Cathedral in 1997. He became a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester in 1997 as well. He sums up his philosophy as ‘Those of us who are blessed with success have a duty and responsibility to assist and guide those who require encouragement and support to succeed and be self-sufficient wherever possible’.
Tony Wilson
Barry Owen
Barry Owen OBE, BA, FRICS, HFLJMU is the Chairman of Mason Owen and founded the Company in 1967.
For four decades Mason Owen has been at the forefront of the commercial property sector in the United Kingdom and has offices in Liverpool, London, Edinburgh, Chester and an associated office in Dublin. They provide expert in all aspects of the surveying profession. The organisation’s subsidiary company, Mason Owen Financial Services, is a specialist in property and general insurance brokerage.
Mr Owen has been involved with all aspects of the business, particularly with investment and development over five decades and is very well respected across the business community on Merseyside.
Mr Owen is a significant and hugely enthusiastic collector of modern art and his firm's offices - a fascinating mix of old and new - are hung liberally with eclectic works.
He is a patron of a number of Arts related causes and received an OBE for services to Business and Charity in 2009.
He is an alumnus of Liverpool University and has received an honorary fellowship from the Liverpool John Moores University.
Mary Reynolds
Mary Reynolds is an Alumna of Liverpool Hope University (Notre Dame) and, having been Head teacher of three successful schools in East Anglia and Surrey, was appointed to the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton as an Advisor, supporting schools in the development of Religious Education, and Leadership and Management in Catholic Schools.
Subsequently, she was appointed Schools’ Commissioner and Director of Schools in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in 1998. She retired from this position in December 2014. In addition to directing the overall management of the Diocesan Catholic Schools Service she has specific responsibility for the inspection and monitoring of the Catholic nature and leadership of diocesan schools and colleges. This includes advising on the appointment of senior staff, Foundation Governors and the provision of appropriate training and support.
Mary represented the diocese on education forums locally, nationally and internationally and was an executive member of the Catholic Education Service, for more than 10 years. In addition to holding a teaching certificate, CCRS and Bachelor of Arts degree, she holds a Masters Degree in The Management of Change from Sussex University. She is a registered section 48 Inspector, a director of ‘Rainbows’ and a director of a property management company in South Wales.
She is a Trustee of Missio, part of the worldwide network of Pontifical Mission Societies. In 2016 she was appointed a Dame of The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great by The Holy Father, Pope Francis, for services to Catholic Education. She currently has her own education consultancy; Mary Reynolds Consulting.
John H Roberts
His Honour John H Roberts was educated at Caldy Grange Grammar School, West Kirby and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he gained a BA 1st Class Honours Degree in Law and a Masters Degree.
Between 1969-1971, he lectured in Law at The University of Liverpool and was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1970. He practised at the Bar on the Northern Circuit between 1970 and 1993.
In 1983 he became an Assistant Recorder and between 1988 -1993 served as a Recorder. In 1993 he was appointed as a Circuit Judge sitting in Manchester. Between 1997- 2001 Judge Roberts was Resident Judge at Bolton Crown Court and between 2002-2013 sat at Liverpool Crown Court until his recent retirement.
Judge Roberts lists his recreations as rugby union, golf, cricket and music and is a member of the Athenaeum (Liverpool), Heswall Golf Club and Oxton Cricket Club.
Stephen Burrows
Stephen Burrows DL is one of the most experienced and respected professionals in the North West having spent 40 years working in RBS up until 2001. During his career with RBS, Stephen held a variety of positions, including Senior Vice President and Manager, New York office in 1978 and Executive Vice President, North America in 1982. He later became the local Director in Liverpool, which was followed by an appointment as Regional Corporate Director in the corporate and institutional banking division at that time.
Following retirement from the Bank, Stephen joined Brabners LLP in 2001 as Chairman. He is a past Regional Chairman of Coutts in Merseyside and North Wales and was appointed an Ambassador for Professional Liverpool in 2013, having stepped down as Chairman the previous year.
Stephen is a Deputy Lieutenant in the Merseyside Lieutenancy.
He is involved with various charitable organisations and is a Director and Trustee of Wirral Hospice St John’s and Chairman of the Empowering Youth Foundation.
Stephen is an active member of Caldy Golf Club and enjoys football (Liverpool FC), rugby, opera and theatre.
