Professor James Keaton (MBE)
Professor James Keaton (MBE) was awarded a Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) in celebration of his contribution to the city of Liverpool and its universities.
Professor Keaton was educated at St Edwards College, Liverpool, the University of Liverpool, and Harvard University. The honour recognises Professor Keaton’s wide-ranging contribution to the city of Liverpool, and in particular, his work in building links between the higher education sector and major businesses and organisations.
Professor Keaton was a founder member of Liverpool Hope’s Board of Regents, who support the University's Strategic Development agenda and act as advocates, helping to connect the University to people, networks and organisations.
Professor Keaton was also the Vice President and Treasurer at the University of Liverpool, Chairman of the Management School Board, Pro-Chancellor at the University of Liverpool; Trustee at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and Chairman of Governors at Upton Hall Grammar School.
He has also held numerous global senior leadership and advisory roles in the chemical, textile and investment management industries and chairman, trustee and consultancy roles with the Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Diocese. He was presented with the Papal Award of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (2009) in recognition of outstanding service to the Diocese of Shrewsbury and was awarded an MBE in 2011 for services to Heritage in the North West. He became a Liveryman of the City of London and accorded the Freedom of the City in 1997.
Professor Keaton has been instrumental in developing Liverpool Hope University’s five-year research partnership with Everton Football Club, announced in October 2016. The University’s research and analysis will support the Club to further develop its knowledge in corporate and performance spheres, technology development and governance. Projects will range from review and assessment of the social projects delivered by the Club’s charity, Everton in the Community, to fan base development and areas relating to commercial growth.
Professor Keaton talks about receiving his award
Canon Andrew White
Canon Andrew White pastored the only Anglican Church in Iraq, St George’s Church in Baghdad, until November 2014 – a position which afforded him the moniker ‘The Vicar of Baghdad’. Due to the threat of sectarian violence in Iraq, he, like thousands of other Christians, was forced to flee.
He then moved his bases to Israel and Jordan where he set up a new parish in Marka, a suburb of Amman, and where his parishioners are Iraqi Christians in exile, forced from their homes in Nineveh and other parts of Northern Iraq now held by Islamic state.
Prior to St. Georges, Canon White worked for many years in The Holy Land, playing a key role in negotiating the end of the Bethlehem siege in 2002. In 2002, he partook in the Alexandria Process – an active dialogue between Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders to build understanding and work towards peace in The Holy Land.
From 2005, Canon White worked full time as President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME), which he set up to provide spiritual and material relief to refugees displaced by violent upheaval. He is now continuing this vital work through his new organisation Canon Andrew White Reconciliation Ministries and Jerusalem M.E.R.I.T.
This is a ministry of healing and reconciliation, seeking to bring together and heal those communities broken by religious conflict. This ministry of healing is carried out by radically working at political and religious reconciliation, whilst at the same time meeting medical, humanitarian and educational needs of the broken communities. At the heart of this ministry is a love for Jews and Arabs alike as well as the support for Israel and a major concentration on serving children.
Before becoming a Priest, Canon White qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1985. Following St. Thomas’, he trained for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge University, and studied at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Canon White then served as Curate at St. Mark’s, Battersea Rise, London, and Vicar of the Church of Ascension, Balham Hill.