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Leeds Beckett community members honoured in New Year list
Shanaz Gulzar, creative director of the incredible Bradford 2025, receives an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to culture in Bradford. She graduated in Fine Art in 1995.
Julia Heap, principal of Hopwood Hall College, receives an OBE (Officer of the order of the British Empire) for her contribution to skills and further education. Julia studied accountancy on day release at Leeds Beckett before a career change which saw her dedicate the last 30 years to transforming opportunities and outcomes in Rochdale and beyond.
Trailblazing rugby league referee and women's rugby league advocate Julia Lee receives an OBE for services to Rugby League. She was the first woman to referee male open-age games, taking charge of over 500 games before her retirement. She graduated with a Sport and Exercise Science degree in 1996.
Lorna Armitage receives an MBE for services to cyber security. The Secondary Information Communication Technology graduate from 2009 is the co-founder of Capslock. She has been in the cyber security industry for over 20 years now and has contributed in shaping policy, driving innovation, and championing diversity in a field where women and LGBTQ+ professionals remain significantly underrepresented.
Meera Syal, an Honorary Graduate of our university in 2002, receives Damehood for services to literature, drama and charity. Her most prominent works include British Asian comedies Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, and her work often explores themes of Indian culture and heritage.
Divine Charura receives an MBE for services to inclusion and to the advancement of counselling and psychotherapy in research and practice. He spent a large part of his career at Leeds Beckett, as Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Leeds Met and Course Director from 2010 to 2020.
Professor Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said: "Congratulations to everyone in the Leeds Beckett University community who has been recognised for their achievements in the New Year Honours today.
"We're delighted to see Shanaz Gulzar, Julia Heap and Julia Leehonoured for their incredible efforts across culture, education and sport.
"With over 250,000 alumni across 163 countries, our graduates are part of a truly global network, and we are proud of all their achievements."
In this article
Professor Peter Slee
Professor Peter Slee joined Leeds Beckett University as Vice Chancellor in September 2015. Peter was educated at the University of Reading, gained his PhD in Modern History from the University of Cambridge and was a postdoctoral fellow at Manchester and Durham. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an award-winning author, teacher and trainer.
Peter joined Leeds Beckett from the University of Huddersfield where he had been Deputy Vice Chancellor since 2010. He has held a number of senior roles in higher education management at Northumbria, Durham and Aston universities and at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) where he was Head of Education Policy.
