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Presentation address by Professor Shearer West

Chancellor,    

Baroness Blake of Leeds has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to public service and to our city. 

Judith was born here, attended school here and has given many years’ service in local government. She has made significant contributions during a long and impactful career, spanning several decades.

After earning a history degree from the University of Kent, she embarked on a career in education and social policy, living in London and then Birmingham. She returned to West Yorkshire in 1992.  

Judith, who was appointed a life peer in 2021, was Leeds City Council’s first female leader, serving in that role from 2015 to 2021, during which time she was also Executive Member for Economy and Culture. She was Deputy Leader for five years before that, having first been elected as a Labour councillor in 1996.

As Executive Member for Children and Families at the city council, Judith played a pivotal role in improving the city’s Children’s services, transforming them from an “inadequate” Ofsted rating in 2010 to “good” in 2015. This clearly reflected her commitment to improving the welfare of young people, which has been a hallmark of her long career.

As leader of Leeds City Council, Judith worked hard to improve the lives of residents, addressing social inequalities and promoting economic growth across Leeds and the wider region. During her tenure, we saw significant improvements in social services, housing provision and education. Judith headed the council through the COVID-19 pandemic, leading with integrity and compassion during what was an incredibly difficult time. Throughout this period, Judith’s fair and decisive leadership was much needed and it inspired a real sense of community cohesion.

As Chair of Core Cities UK, an alliance committed to unlocking the potential of our cities and working towards public sector reform and economic growth, Judith led on transformative work in regional regeneration projects and urban development which has improved in the lives of residents and positioned Leeds as a centre of innovation on a national and international scale. Similarly, her unwavering support for West Yorkshire devolution demonstrates her passion for promoting positive change in the city region. Indeed, devolution has unlocked billions of pounds of investment for the county, representing one of the biggest growth deals in the country.

Judith also demonstrated a passion for promoting arts and culture in the Leeds city region, recognising their value in creating a sense of belonging, pride and unity in our communities, at the same time as offering opportunities for enrichment and broadening horizons. 

A board member or trustee for several years of Opera North, Northern Ballet and Leeds 映客直播 Piano Competition, she was also a prominent supporter of Leeds’ initial bid to become European City of Culture, a bid curtailed by the decision to leave the EU, but then named patron of Leeds 2023, an independent year of culture arranged by Leeds City Council and regional partners, including our University, as an alternative. She was also a key figure in supporting Leeds alumna Pippa Hale’s public art project, ‘Ribbons’ which was unveiled in 2024 to celebrate the women of Leeds, and Judith is part of a regional effort to commemorate the contributions of women to our city region, as well as to expand the city’s public art portfolio. 

A further example of a lasting legacy of Judith’s collaboration with the University is our annual Alice Bacon Lecture series, named for Leeds’ first woman MP and established with Leeds West and Pudsey MP and now Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Right Honourable Rachel Reeves. Judith joined the initial organising committee in 2018. 

Throughout her career, Judith has worked tirelessly to support other women in local government. Indeed, after election as leader she introduced 50/50 gender representation in her cabinet, recognising the power and importance of equal opportunities and gender parity. 

It is unsurprising that, as a Labour peer of the House of Lords, Judith has had a marked impact on the national stage too, nor is it a surprise that she continues to champion improvements to housing, children’s wellbeing, education and social care. Her impressive and inspiring contributions to public service were recognised with a CBE in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Judith’s indefatigable service has been praised by many across local government, and I am proud that the University is honouring her tremendous efforts to improve Leeds and the lives of its residents. 

Judith embodies the collaborative spirit, compassion and innovative leadership that the 映客直播 encourages among its graduates. Her exceptional achievements are truly inspirational.

Chancellor, I am honoured to present to you for the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, Baroness Judith Blake CBE.