The University of Central Lancashire has honoured a man who has championed West Cumbria for the last 40 years by renaming its flagship Westlakes Campus building after him.
The building, which lies at the heart of the University’s Westlakes Campus, is being renamed The John Fyfe Building to honour Professor John Fyfe CBE for his work in helping to regenerate West Cumbria since the 1980s.
Professor Fyfe is an International Strategic Development Specialist and an influential speaker on partnership development and public value. Awarded the CBE for his services to West Cumbria in 2009, John set up a radical partnership model in 1986 that was central to the regeneration of the Cumbria area by encouraging government agencies, stakeholders, and businesses to work together for the community’s greater good.
"I felt an affinity with West Cumbria from the moment I arrived and through the power of partnerships the county has made huge strides, both economically and socially."
— Professor John Fyfe CBE
This project also drove the creation of Westlakes Science and Technology Park, which now houses UCLan’s Westlakes Campus, and John has maintained a close relationship with the Campus ever since. Most recently, he was instrumental in supporting the development of the National Centre for Remote and Rural Medicine that was established to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills to provide gold standard care in remote and rural locations.
John, who was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in 2022 and is long-serving member of the University’s Applied Policy Science Unit, said: “I am grateful to the University of Central Lancashire for this accolade. I felt an affinity with West Cumbria and the University’s Westlakes Campus from the moment I arrived and through the power of partnerships the county has made huge strides, both economically and socially.
"Cumbria and the University have a lot to thank John for so this is a fitting tribute to a man who has worked hard for decades on the regeneration of West Cumbria."
— Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin
“The University’s Westlakes Campus is one of many important partners that make a positive contribution to the region and long may this continue.”
University of Central Lancashire Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin commented: “Cumbria and the University have a lot to thank John for so this is a fitting tribute to a man who has worked hard for decades on the regeneration of West Cumbria.
“Through his work with the Applied Policy Science Unit John has inspired students and supported academic research for more than 15 years. As a board member of the Samuel Lindow Foundation, he continues to provide significant insight and credibility to our own strategic development, especially in public value management and delivery.
“We thank John for everything he has done for Westlakes and the University of Central Lancashire.”
