OBE awarded to Lucy Winskell

Northumbria University Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lucy Winskell, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday 2014 Honours List.

The recognition is for her services to Higher Education and the regional economy in the North East.

Lucy has been Pro Vice-Chancellor for Business and Engagement at Northumbria since 2010, where she is leading the development of relationships with government, public bodies, businesses and the professions. The role also involves shaping the University’s contribution to regional, economic and social development.

A litigation lawyer for more than 28 years prior to her joining Northumbria University, Lucy is a former member of the National Law Society Council and was the first female President of Newcastle Law Society. She has extensive experience of working with regional, national and international businesses, and has held a number of non-executive Directorships supporting organisations with a particular focus on promoting regional development. In January she also accepted the role of Chairman of the Board of North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

Lucy said: “I was completely taken aback but absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to receive this honour. For me there is no better place to live and work than in the North East. I have worked with so many fantastic people and organisations over the years, and if this recognises any contribution I have been lucky enough to make to the region’s educational, economic and social well-being, it is entirely thanks to their help and support.

“One of my key priorities at Northumbria is the employability, enterprise and entrepreneurship agenda and preparing young people for work. Ensuring our graduates have the ability and opportunity to work for great companies, or create their own businesses, is hugely beneficial for them and for the prosperity of the region. I hope this award will help me deliver on this commitment.”

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Northumbria, added: “I am delighted for Lucy. This is a richly deserved award for her, and it is an honour for the university to see its wider contribution as an anchor institution in the region recognised. Lucy has translated her skills, talents and more than 30 years of business experience in the region to the university sector.”

NECC Chief Executive, James Ramsbotham, added: “Lucy has been a tireless servant and ambassador for the North East over the years and on behalf of the Chamber I would like to extend our congratulations to her on this achievement. The region’s fortunes are greatest when we work together, and Lucy continues to make a significant contribution through the business partnerships and engagement she is promoting at Northumbria.”

A Law Graduate from Newcastle University, Lucy was awarded The Journal scholarship to do an MBA at Durham University in 2004.

She is a non-executive director of Darlington Building Society, Deputy Chair of the BE Group and a non-executive Director of North East Access to Finance Subsidiary companies. Previous roles include non-executive Directorships at Government Office North East, and the Newcastle and Gateshead City Development Company, 1NG. Lucy was also the UK Chairman of the British American Project.