A number of individuals and organisations have been approved for civic awards at a meeting of Liverpool City Council on Wednesday 1 April 2026.
They include the Freedom Roll of Associations – also known as the Freedom of the City, and the city’s highest civic honour – for the following organisations:
Liverpool Harriers and Athletics Club – which was founded in 1882 and has been based at Wavertree Athletics Centre since 1990. It has a rich history of national success in cross-country, road relays, and track and field, boasting numerous international athletes, including Olympians Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Anyika Onuora.
Xi’an Jiaotong (XJTLU) – the University of Liverpool’s joint venture with Xi’an Jiaotong University in China, which was established in 2006.
The Open Awards – based in Speke, providing Ofqual regulated qualifications and units across a range of sectors as well as access to Higher Education Diplomas, and the delivery of traineeships and apprenticeships.
It was also recommended that Michael Eakin OBE, who was Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society for 16 years, is made a Citizen of Honour. This award, introduced in 2008, recognises those individuals, from all walks of life, who have devoted their time and made significant, exceptional or unique contributions to enriching the image of the city and/or its citizens.
In addition, the title of Honorary Aldermen and Alderwomen, which recognises former Councillors who in the past have provided eminent service, is set to be approved for the following former councillors:
- Jan Clein
- Paul Clein
- Tina Gould
- Tim Moore
- James Noakes
- Richard Oglethorpe
- Frank Prendergast MBE
- Keith Turner
- Hazel Williams (Posthumous)
Once a nomination is approved, each individual or organisation will be presented with a scroll at a civic function hosted by the Lord Mayor at a later date.
Lord Mayor, Councillor Barbara Murray, said: “Liverpool is fortunate to have so many organisations and individuals who make a significant contribution to life in the city.
“The civic honours provide us with an opportunity to shine a spotlight on their work and recognise the positive difference they make, or have made, in leading, promoting or bettering life for those living or working in our city.
“It gives us a chance to acknowledge the dedication that people give to our city, and the talents and skills that make our communities better places.”
Kristina Van Steen President of Liverpool Harriers & Athletics Club, said: “On behalf of Liverpool Harriers & Athletics Club, I would like to convey our absolute delight in being nominated for this prestigious award. We are truly honoured that our efforts over the last 143 years are being acknowledged and that we are able to stand alongside the esteemed organisations that have previously received this award.
“Liverpool Harriers has always been built on the passion, dedication and unwavering commitment of our volunteers. Every individual who gives their time to the club does so with the shared goal of nurturing, guiding and inspiring our athletes, both young and old, to perform at their very best. Their hard work has had a profound impact not only on our local community, but also on the wider world of athletics.
“We are grateful for this nomination, which reflects the collective spirit, history and ambition of everyone who has contributed to the club’s journey so far and who inspires and encourages the next generations.”
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool said: “We are incredibly proud of all that Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) has achieved over the last 20 years. One of the first Sino-UK joint ventures, it has grown to become one of the most recognised and successful transnational ventures globally. Each year over 26,000 students study at XJTLU towards a University of Liverpool award and several hundred also choose to spend part of their studies here in Liverpool.
“The success of XJTLU has also brought significant economic and cultural gains to the Liverpool City Region, both through the students we welcome here each year and through the connections fostered with Suzhou and the wider region. I am absolutely delighted that these – and other – contributions are being recognised through this prestigious award.”
Youmin Xi, Executive President of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, said: “We are deeply honoured that Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is set to be granted the Freedom of the City. This prestigious distinction is a remarkable tribute to our university and resonates profoundly with our ethos: to syntegrate, transcend boundaries, and create new possibilities.
“This award is both a recognition of our transformative journey through XJTLU 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, and a powerful inspiration for our next chapter. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary and confidently enter our third decade, we are actively advancing XJTLU 4.0—building a future-oriented, learning and innovative social ecosystem that reimagines the role and impact of universities in the world.
“This Freedom belongs to the City of Liverpool, to our founding partners Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, to our students past and present, and to every colleague, partner and friend who dared to envision something truly new.
“This honour will not simply be displayed; it will be carried forward as motivation, as responsibility, and as a reminder that the boundaries we break today lay the foundations for others to build upon tomorrow. We accept this privilege with immense gratitude—and with even greater resolve to honour it through our actions in the decades ahead.”
Open Awards Chief Executive, Heather Akehurst OBE, said: “Absolutely thrilled to learn that in our 45th year, Open Awards has been awarded Freedom of the City of Liverpool. Thank you to all our trustees and colleagues both past and present.”
Michael Eakin OBE said: “My sixteen years leading the team at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic were the most rewarding of my career and much of that is due to the people of Liverpool.
“I can think of no city which embraces and values its music and its cultural organisations as much as Liverpool does. So to receive this honour from this city is particularly special to me.”
