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

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

2

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

3

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

4

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

5

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 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
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

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

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

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 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 LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin