Peter Moore, an entrepreneur whose career spans professional football, global entertainment, and technology has launched a new scholarship.
Announced today as he received an honorary degree from the University of Liverpool, the scholarship is a gift to future generations, given on behalf of the more than 6,000 students who graduated this week.
University leaders believe the Class of 2026 and this scholarship reflect the transformative impact of higher education.
Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Liverpool commented: “For many students, a university education is a life-changing experience, equipping them with skills, knowledge and confidence that last a lifetime. It also delivers significant economic value: research suggests that, on average, graduates are around £100,000 better off over the course of their working lives as a result of holding a degree. By helping one student access higher education, this scholarship has the potential to be truly transformative, enabling them to realise their potential and benefit from the opportunities a degree can provide.”
The Peter and Debbie Moore Scholarship – also named after Peter’s wife – will initially be awarded on a competitive basis to one student from the City of Liverpool, who will begin an undergraduate course at the University in 2027.
Born in Liverpool, he visited the United States as a young footballer, before becoming a physical education teacher in North Wales. He then moved to California and began his professional career in sports marketing before rising to prominence in the video game industry. He has held senior leadership roles at global brands including Sega, Microsoft and Electronic Arts (EA), and in 2017 returned to his hometown as Chief Executive Officer of Liverpool Football Club.
Now based in the United States, Peter is founder of Santa Barbara Sky FC and remains active in European football as an owner of Wisła Kraków and advisor to Wrexham AFC.
He also supports community initiatives through Fundación Cielo, Santa Barbara Sky FC’s philanthropic arm focused on youth development and food security. This scholarship reflects his strong links to Liverpool and his commitment to creating educational opportunities for young people.
Peter Moore said: “To receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Liverpool is one of the greatest honours of my life. As someone who grew up in Liverpool, I could never have imagined that the city and university I have always admired would one day recognise my journey in this way.
“Everything I have achieved has been built on the values I learned growing up in this remarkable city: hard work, resilience, community and never forgetting where you came from. I hope this recognition also serves as a reminder to young people that your beginnings do not define your destination. With curiosity, determination and a willingness to embrace opportunity, extraordinary things can happen.
“I accept this honour with immense gratitude and humility, and I hope I have represented Liverpool well throughout my career.”
Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education at the University of Liverpool said concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to Peter and Debbie Moore for this generous donation and for partnering with us to create this opportunity. He is an inspiring figure and this scholarship will make a real difference to a young person from Liverpool, helping them access an education that can be genuinely life-changing. We are incredibly grateful for his support.”
The university has a long-standing track record of improving the social mobility of our students by enabling access to and participation in higher education and the Scholarship complements and adds value to this existing outreach work with local schools and colleges.
The scholarship will be open to one undergraduate student in the 2027/28 academic year and will cover tuition fees as well as an annual payment of £5,000 towards living costs. Applications will be open in January 2027.