Claire McColgan CBE has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Edge Hill University in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the arts and culture sector in the UK and her transformative impact on Liverpool’s cultural identity and economy. Claire, currently Director of Culture and Major Events for Liverpool City Council and Associate Director of Liverpool City Region, has worked for the council for 23 years, playing a pivotal role in the city’s dynamic arts and cultural revival.
Speaking about receiving the award, Claire said:
“I am proud because you don’t ever expect anything like this, it’s a real honour.
“I really looked forward to visiting Edge Hill, it’s such a beautiful campus and it was a great day out. These days are special and if I look back at my 19-year-old self who first came to university, I’d have never imagined that I would be invited back to receive an Honorary Doctorate. It’s incredible.”
In 2000, Claire developed the successful participation programme ‘Creative Communities’, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s successful bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2008. She went on to serve as Executive Producer for the landmark year, curating and delivering a world-class programme of events that embedded culture deeply within communities.
Since then, Claire has spearheaded some of the UK’s most spectacular cultural events including the Royal de Luxe Giant Spectaculars, named Visit England’s Tourism Event of the Year in 2016, and the globally-acclaimed One Magnificent City programme. These events attracted millions of visitors to Liverpool and brought tens of millions of pounds into the regional economy. Most recently, Claire led Liverpool’s successful bid to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, which attracted 500,000 visitors.
During her visit to Ormskirk, Claire was interviewed by fellow honorary doctor Chris Kirkland, former professional footballer and mental health campaigner, about how it felt to be recognised with an honorary doctorate and her work at the forefront of Liverpool’s culture and events.
Claire said: “I’m really proud of what I have gone on to achieve for the city, myself and my family.
“I’ve got two children who have both grown up in this brilliant city and hopefully for students, when they see where I’ve come from and what I’ve done, they can think that ‘I can do the same’, because they can.
“It’s all possible. It’s having the right attitude and opportunities and grabbing it with both hands.”
Claire McColgan’s career as a leader in the arts and culture sector aligns closely with the values of creativity, innovation and community engagement that Edge Hill University fosters in its students.
Through her work in Liverpool, particularly in leading major events such as European Capital of Culture and Eurovision 2023, Claire has played a pivotal role in shaping the region’s cultural identity and inspiring future generations of cultural leaders.
As a champion of the North West, her dedication to widening access to the arts mirrors Edge Hill’s mission to broaden participation in education.
Claire added:
“I know a lot of Edge Hill University students come from a similar sort of background to me. I was the only person to go to university from my family. I have done really well by committing to a place, remaining there and growing my career.”
Claire was awarded the honorary doctorate at Edge Hill’s summer graduation ceremonies on its Ormskirk campus in July 2025.
Find out more about studying Creative Arts at Edge Hill University and sign up to an Open Day. The next one is on 16 August.
September 11, 2025
