Professor Fiona Beveridge, Executive Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, will retire from the University in the autumn.
Fiona, who is an international lawyer by background, joined the University in 1992 as a lecturer in law, having previously worked at the universities of East Anglia and Hull. She was promoted to a Personal Chair in 2007 and served as the Head of the Law School (2008-10), and Head (now Dean) of the School of Law and Social Justice (2011-13), doubling up as Faculty Research Lead from 2012-13 to manage the Faculty’s REF submission. Fiona has held the role of PVC since 2014.
Fiona said: “I never imagined I would be in Liverpool for so long, but my job kept evolving, bringing me fresh challenges, and I have been pleased to witness and support such positive change in the University and the city over this long period.”
Under Fiona’s leadership, Humanities and Social Sciences has grown significantly and improved its national and international reputation. The Faculty’s buildings and teaching facilities on south campus have also transformed following a programme of refurbishment and the addition of the School of Law and Social Justice building, the Yoko Ono Lennon Centre – incorporating the Tung Auditorium – and the fast-emerging Liverpool School of Architecture extension.
Since 2019, Fiona has provided leadership to the University’s race equality work and its successful application for the Race Equality Charter Bronze award. She also leads the development of the Place and Innovation pillar of Liverpool 2031 and has fostered valuable links with cultural institutions across the region, including National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool. She is Chair of the Board of Liverpool University Press and a Non-Executive Director of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.
Fiona said: “It has been a great pleasure and honour to be entrusted with the roles I have held, but above all I have enjoyed working with great people and great teams. Despite current headwinds, the University and city have completely transformed since I first joined and can look forward with confidence.”
Fiona is looking forward to swapping her daily walk up Brownlow Hill with something more scenic, as well as pursuing her passions for reading and gardening. She plans to attend more concerts and exhibitions and spend time with family and friends.
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, said: “Fiona has dedicated a remarkable 33 years of her career to the University and has accomplished an outstanding amount in that time. I am very grateful for her outstanding leadership of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and also for the Place and Innovation pillar of our strategy, Liverpool 2031. She has also played a very important leadership role in our work on race equality. It has been a pleasure to work with Fiona on the Senior Leadership Team and I send my best wishes for her retirement later this year.”