National broadcasters and King’s representative to receive Honorary Fellowships

By Rob Kelly

09 Dec 2024

Geeta Guru-Murty

Two BBC broadcasters and one of the King’s representatives in the county are to be honoured by the University of Central Lancashire this week.

Geeta Guru-Murthy, chief presenter for the BBC News Channel, and Steve Saul, who works for BBC Radio 5Live and BBC North West Tonight, will receive Honorary Fellowships during the Institution’s upcoming graduation ceremonies.

 Helen Bingley OBE JP DL, the current High Sheriff of Lancashire, is also being recognised with the prestigious award.

 Between 10 to 12 December, 2,400 students will don their academic caps and gowns across eight graduation ceremonies in the transformed Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre.

Graduates and their guests will enjoy their post-event celebrations in the university’s state-of-the-art Student Centre, based in the heart of the university’s Preston campus.

 If family and friends around the world can’t travel to Preston they can still join in with the celebrations as live streaming will be available on the university’s YouTube channel.

 Geeta, who grew up and was schooled in East Lancashire, has anchored some of the most significant events of the past century, including the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Born in Liverpool, she has worked for the BBC for 25 years and this year was appointed as a chief presenter for the BBC News Channel, the most-watched news channel in the UK. 

Geeta will receive her award on Wednesday 11 December to acknowledge her significant contribution made to broadcast journalism.

 University of Central Lancashire alumna and former staff member Helen rose through the ranks from nurse to executive director, chief executive and non-executive director of several NHS Trusts.

Her passion for access to good healthcare and education led to her establishing the Abaseen Foundation which supports some of the poorest populations in rural North West Pakistan to find a path out of poverty.

 Helen, who received an OBE in 2019, will take to the stage on Wednesday 11 December to accept her award for the significant contribution she has made to the NHS in the North West.

 Award-winning journalist Steve started as a volunteer on hospital radio at the age of 13 and his first professional station was Red Rose Radio. He then moved to BBC local radio stations and progressed on to presenting news bulletins on BBC Radio 5 Live. Nowadays, he is a senior presenter, reporter and producer for BBC North West Tonight.

 The proud Prestonian, who completed his law for journalists’ qualification at the university, regularly comes back to help journalism students by providing feedback on their news day projects. 

Steve, who will don his academic cap and gown on Thursday 12 December, will receive his award to recognise the significant contribution he has made to regional radio and television broadcasting

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

Hundreds of jobs losses will be 'crippling blow' to town Oliver Ryan MP for Burnley

Hundreds of jobs losses will be 'crippling blow' to town

29 Aug 2025

2

Council praises Animate's boost to city centre six months since opening Animate

Council praises Animate's boost to city centre six months since opening

28 Aug 2025

3

Morgan Sindall completes work at first phase of Accrington Town Square regeneration Accrington Town Square

Morgan Sindall completes work at first phase of Accrington Town Square regeneration

27 Aug 2025

4

Plans submitted for Lancashire's tallest building Artist impression of the new scheme

Plans submitted for Lancashire's tallest building

27 Aug 2025

5

Expanding construction business doubles size of Blackpool HQ Evolution

Expanding construction business doubles size of Blackpool HQ

26 Aug 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
Linkedin Cover.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
03 Sep 2025 - 03 Sep 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Harewood House , Leeds, LS17 9LG

09:30 - 16:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin