2012 EDITION SIGHT A child’s hope University research tackles global challenges I Women in engineering I A new driving force in Formula 1 I 120 years of the Victoria Building I From twilight shift to Chief Executive I The generation game IN PROFILE INSIGHT UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL ALUMNI MAGAZINE SIGHT2012 EDITION 2012 EDITION CONTENTS The summer months have been REGULARS an extremely busy 16 University news 02 Honorary graduates 28 time, with alumni City news 10 International news 32 events taking place Then and now 18 Student spotlight 34 across the globe Diary dates 21 In memoriam 37 in locations such Benefits and services 24 In touch 38 as the Cayman Benefactors’ Fund update 26 Events and reunions 42 Islands, London, FEATURES and Switzerland. From twilight shift to Chief Executive 06 It is the increasingly international Alumnus Philip Clarke tells insight how he went from stacking shelves in his local Tesco nature of our work that has, in part, to becoming the retail giant’s Chief Executive. The team in Liverpool, like many people prompted the University to consider around the world, has also been gripped the governance structures for alumni by Olympic and Paralympic fever, not relations currently outlined in its Statues least because we boast four Olympic and and Ordinances, and to openly consult 06 120 years of the Victoria Building 08 Paralympic athletes connected with the with alumni about these (see page 25 Celebrating the 120th anniversary of our flagship Victoria Building which gave rise to University. They include bronze medal- for more details). We want to make the term ‘redbrick university’. winning gymnast Beth Tweddle, who sure that we provide you with easy completed her Foundation degree at the and fair access to have input into the University, two Nigerian athletes – 12 University, and to ensure your views are Tackling today’s global problems 12 basketball player Aniekan Archibong, represented. I would therefore urge you currently studying online for his Liverpool to take part in the consultation on the An insight into how University of Liverpool research is contributing to some of the most pressing degree and Taekwondo team captain proposed changes, which is open until challenges facing the world today. Chika Chukwumerije (MSc Operations & the end of November. Supply Chain Management 2010), plus Paralympic seven-a-side player Matthew This year there will be a number of The generation game 14 Edward Dimbylow (BSc Hons Movement opportunities for alumni to return to Science & Physical Education 1992, MPA campus to see some of the results of We meet two families for whom studying at the University of Liverpool has become something 1995). Along with… Dave Brailsford CBE our £600 million capital development plan of a family tradition. (BA Hons 1991), the Team GB cycling first hand. More details of these events coach, you can see why the University’s can be found on page 21, but please do Sporting Hall of Fame is filling fast! sign up to receive our e-newsletter, as A new driving force in Formula 1 16 more will be announced later in the year. Combining a passion for sport and a head for business: MBA graduate Alex Sauber tells Watching the Olympic opening We hope to meet as many of you as insight about becoming Marketing Director for the Sauber F1 team. ceremony reminded me of the sheer possible at these events, and hope you diversity of our global alumni population, enjoy reading this issue of insight. and that sport, like education, really has no boundaries. 20% of our alumni Women in Engineering 36 population now lives outside the UK, and we have representation in more than Karen Brady Alumna Lesley Paterson tells insight about the importance of inspiring future female engineers. 40 different countries across the world. Director of Philanthropy Through our partnership with Xi’an & Alumni Relations To contact the Philanthropy & Alumni Relations team please call Jiaotong-Liverpool University and the +44 (0)151 795 4639 or email: [email protected] 8,500 students studying online, our global T: +44 (0)151 795 2348 To contact the Editorial team call network has never been stronger. E: [email protected] +44 (0)151 794 2250 or email: [email protected] UNIVERSITY NEWS Liverpool-Lancaster Top British Further collaboration update artist gives Since the last edition of insight and demonstration following extensive discussions between £65m the University of Liverpool and Lancaster at VG&M University, it has been agreed that the two investment into student accommodation institutions will not proceed with a federal The UK’s leading taxidermy model of collaboration. artist, Polly Morgan, gave a live However, it has been agreed that both s part of its commitment demonstration of her work at the universities will continue to explore the to providing a world-class Victoria Gallery & Museum as benefits of joint international collaboration student experience, the part of Liverpool’s Light Night, A word from the and the potential for a joint graduate school. when the doors of the city’s University has started work on Collaborations between the institutions will galleries, museums and heritage a new residence at the heart Vice-Chancellor continue in the areas of medical education, sites stay open until late. As alumni who may be familiar with our campus, of the campus on Brownlow particle physics, zoonosis, eco-innovation Polly has been hailed as I'm sure you'll be delighted to hear about the Hill and Crown Street. It will and through the North West Doctoral Training Britain’s top taxidermist by street completion of a number of exciting capital projects Acomprise 1,259 en-suite rooms as well as Centre in the Faculty of Humanities and artist, Banksy, and her other to support the student experience. retail outlets, and will be at the cutting edge Social Sciences. celebrity fans include Kate Moss We are making a significant investment in of design. and Damien Hirst. student accommodation; our £44 million Vine Steve Dickson, Director of Facilities She is one of the most Court residences, which opened recently, and we Management, said: “It is important that we collectable artists of her are also investing a further £65 million in student make this investment to meet demand in the generation and was art historian residences on Brownlow Hill. future. The University remains heavily over- Tim Marlow’s nomination for best The first phase of our £70 million scientific subscribed, but it’s important that all aspects Facelift for University up-and-coming artist. research facility – the Ronald Ross building – has of our student experience, including been completed and is now home to the Institute of accommodation, remain world class.” sports facilities Infection and Global Health. The facility provides an The development forms part of an inter-disciplinary environment to enable researchers overall £250 million investment for The University’s swimming pool and to contribute more effectively to the major health new accommodation. The first phase, changing area have undergone a £2.5 million challenges of the 21st century. Vine Court, on Myrtle Street, opened in makeover. PepsiCo chief visits campus Our £23 million Central Teaching Laboratories are September. It includes 749 en-suite rooms Andy Craig, Director of Sport Liverpool, about to open and will transform scientific teaching as well as a restaurant and retail outlets. said: “The pool has been an important Chief Scientific Officer of PepsiCo, Dr Mehmood Khan (MBChB 1981), across a wide range of disciplines including physics, community asset since it opened in 1966. visited the campus and met with scientists, academics and Management chemistry, environmental sciences and archaeology. The refurbishment has given the pool and School students. The facilities, which support interdisciplinary science, the changing facilities a modern facelift, as Dr Khan, who is also Chief Executive Officer at PepsiCo’s Global Nutrition are a new innovation in the sector and have attracted well as making it environmentally friendly.” Group, took a tour of the University’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and interest from universities across the UK and as far The renovation, which is part of a wider met academics from a range of disciplines including psychology, plant afield as Australia. investment in sports facilities on campus, microbiology, engineering and environmental science, as well as members The School of Veterinary Science has also includes the replacement of the glazed of the Food Security Network (see page 12 for more information about the undergone a £10 million redevelopment and now panelling on the Oxford Street side of the network). He also gave a talk to Management School students on the subject boasts a new Small Animal Practice, a newly designed pool with an environmentally-friendly of innovation and challenge for the food industry. School home, a larger teaching suite and enhanced insulating cladding system. Dr Khan said: “I have many fond memories of my time at Liverpool so it is research facilities at Liverpool Science Park. The second phase of the improvement will wonderful to return We are also investing in a new £10 million more than double the size of the fitness area, to the city and visit redevelopment of the Guild of Students, which will as well as provide an integrated, state-of-the- my alma mater – be completed in November 2013. art weight training facility and dance studio. the place which To support these developments across the contributed campus, we rely heavily on the support of alumni immensely to and friends of the University. The impact of fees where I am today. on higher education has been enormous, and we It has been are now in an extremely competitive marketplace.