OBE ceremony at Buckingham Palace for Lucy Winskell

Lucy Winskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor at Northumbria University, Newcastle, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) at the investiture ceremony in London.

The recognition is for her services to the North East economy and to higher education. It was presented to her by Prince Charles.

Lucy has been Pro-Vice Chancellor for Business and Engagement at Northumbria since 2010, where she is leading the development of relationships with government, public bodies, businesses and the professions. The role also involves shaping the University’s contribution to regional, economic and social development.

A litigation lawyer for more than 28 years prior to her joining Northumbria University, Lucy is a former member of the National Law Society Council and was the first female President of Newcastle Law Society. She has extensive experience of working with regional, national and international businesses, and has held a number of non-executive Directorships supporting organisations with a particular focus on promoting regional development. In January this year she also accepted the role of Chairman of the Board of North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

Lucy said: “Receiving this award at Buckingham Palace was a huge honour and an experience I shall always treasure. I want to stress though that any contribution I have made to the North East economy and to higher education is entirely down the help and encouragement of the people I have been lucky enough to work with throughout my career.

“A large part of my focus now is ensuring that our students and graduates from Northumbria have the opportunity to work for great companies, or create their own businesses and greater prosperity for the region. Having an outstanding learning experience, actively geared to securing high quality employment is key – and hopefully today’s wonderful accolade recognises the passion we have at Northumbria to keep delivering on this promise.”

A Law Graduate from Newcastle University, Lucy was awarded The Journal scholarship to do an MBA at Durham University in 2004.

She is a non-executive director of Darlington Building Society, Deputy Chair of the BE Group and a non-executive Director of North East Access to Finance Subsidiary companies. Previous roles include non-executive Directorships at Government Office North East, and the Newcastle and Gateshead City Development Company, 1NG. Lucy was also the UK Chairman of the British American Project.