Pioneering female leader honored by University of Leicester | News

A University of Leicester stalwart who led the charge for more women in leadership roles has been honored by the institution.

Dr Bridget Towle CBE was awarded a Distinguished Honorary Fellowship during a graduation ceremony held at De Montfort Hall in Leicester today (Thursday 18 July).

For more than 20 years, Bridget has worked tirelessly for the University in various governance roles. She served on Council from 2000 to 2019, including as University Treasurer 2009-2013, then as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council 2013-2019. He is also a life member of the University Tribunal.

Recognized as a market leader, Bridget was the first female board chair and preceded the first female treasurer.

In 1980, Bridget was appointed CEO of Towles, her family’s knitwear and hosiery company, in Loughborough. She was one of three female chief executive officers of a UK public limited company at the time, leading the charge for more women in senior roles.

Speaking about her honorary award, Bridget said: “I am delighted and somewhat humbled to be honored by the University of Leicester.

“The University has been a fixture in my life for the past quarter of a century and it has been a privilege to play a part in its governance.

“As someone born and bred in Leicestershire, I have been very proud to witness the growth of the University during my time here. It is an honor to be associated with such an outstanding institution of learning that is a force for good locally, nationally and internationally.”

Bridget, who comes from a Leicestershire family, studied economics, law and politics at Exeter University. After graduating she served with the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in Uganda before returning to the East Midlands to study textile technology at Leicester Polytechnic and then joining Towles.

Bridget is a long-standing supporter of the University and over the years has supported many appeals and projects and provided invaluable strategic direction to many developments, including Brookfield and Freemen.

Outside of the university, Bridget’s contributions to local and national causes are too numerous to list. She has served as a trustee of the RAF Benevolent Fund, Nyakasura Friends School in Uganda and the College of Optometrists and was named Charity Trustee of the Year in 2000 by the Charity Times.

She was awarded a CBE in 2001 for services to Girlguiding, having been Chief Guide and Chair of Trustees and later Vice Chair of Girlguiding UK. Somehow she found time to serve as Deputy Lieutenant of Leicestershire and as President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Leicester.

The University awarded Bridget an Honorary Doctorate of Laws in July 2022. She also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Exeter and Loughborough University and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “It is a mark of Bridget’s achievements that this honorary award is her fourth from a university – two of those from her beloved Leicester.

“Bridget’s dedication to the University of Leicester cannot be understated, she was a key influence in shaping it into the institution we see today.

“Not just a trailblazer for women, this inspiring colleague of mine has also thrown herself into charity work and civic duties. The university and the world at large owe this citizen of change a substantial debt of gratitude.”