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Dawn Airey, Chancellor of Edge Hill University.

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Edge Hill University Chancellor Dawn Airey recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

June 19, 2024

The Chancellor of Edge Hill University Dawn Airey has been awarded a CBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for services to theatre and charity.

 

Vice-Chancellor John Cater congratulated Dawn and said the University was “immensely proud” to have her as Chancellor. 

Dawn, from Preston, is Chair of the National Youth Theatre and the educational platform Digital Theatre+, a Fellow and Vice President of the Royal Television Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. 

She said: “I was humbled and thrilled to receive this honour. But I regard it as a collective recognition for all the great work of the charities I work with.” 

As an internationally-respected executive in the broadcast and media industries Dawn has been CEO of Channel 4, Channel 5 and Getty Images and worked at the highest levels within ITV, Sky and Yahoo. 

She also chairs the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Championship Board. 

Edge Hill University awarded Dawn an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in 2018 in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the media industry and she officially became Chancellor in 2023

Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater said: “Dawn has long been a role model. Her interest in, and commitment to, the creative industries is evident in her many years of service not only in the media and the arts but also in her passion to nurture talent and give back to society. 

“Because of the breadth of her interests, Dawn is an inspiration to our students across many disciplines – sport, media, business, creative arts and more – and this public honour confirms why, when we came to appoint a new Chancellor, Dawn was the undeniable first choice.” 

Edge Hill has a long history of championing women which aligns with Dawn’s standing as a female leader who has the tenacity to challenge inequality and break down gender stereotypes. 

The University also congratulated Alison McKenzie-Folan, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, on her OBE for services to local government. 

Alison was instrumental in the creation of a civic agreement between the University, Wigan council, Wigan and Leigh College and Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, an important step in the levelling up agenda to boost education, skills and opportunities in the borough. 

Discover more about studying at Edge Hill University.

June 19, 2024

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