The University of Liverpool regrets to report the death of His Grace The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor.
The Duke, who was awarded an Honorary Degree in Laws in 2000 and was a long-standing supporter of the University, died aged 64 on Tuesday 9 August 2016.
Through his Westminster Foundation, he funded a lectureship in Cattle Health and Nutrition at the University from 1997 to 2001, which was the first of its kind in the country.
In 2005, he was appointed Patron of the University’s Veterinary Science fundraising appeal. The appeal, to which he contributed, raised over £6.5million and supported the creation of the Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) and the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital based at Leahurst. The Duke formally opened the Small Animal Teaching Hospital in 2007.
Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor was Chairman of the property company, Grosvenor Group, which was responsible for the Liverpool ONE redevelopment. The project revitalised Liverpool city centre in time for Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janet Beer, said: “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of His Grace The Duke of Westminster, Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor. He was a wonderful ambassador for philanthropy and a fierce supporter of charitable causes. We are particularly grateful for the support he so generously gave to the University of Liverpool.
“In particular he acted as the Patron for the University’s Veterinary Science fundraising appeal, which made a transformational impact on the teaching and learning facilities and veterinary services we continue to offer from our Leahurst campus on the Wirral.”