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CBE for Chair of UEL Governors in birthday honours

Monday 13 June 2011

Picture of Mark Stephens CBE

The Chair of Governors at the University of East London has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2011. Mark Stephens, who has chaired UEL’s Board of Governors since 2009, was given the honour for services to the Legal Profession and to the Arts.

Mark graduated from UEL (then North East London Polytechnic) in the early 1980s and developed a career as a champion of artistic expression. He recently represented Julian Assange, editor of the controversial website Wikileaks, in his extradition proceedings, and has frequently appeared in the media as a commentator in recent months thanks to his expertise in privacy and so-called ‘super injunctions’.

UEL Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee, said: “UEL sends its congratulations to our Chair, Mark Stephens, on his CBE. This is very much deserved and recognition of the work that Mark has done across a wide range of legal issues over several years, and at the highest level. The right to free expression is essential for universities, and Mark has worked tirelessly to defend it throughout his career.”

Mark Stephens said: “I’m thrilled and delighted to receive this honour. What makes it even more special is that it focuses on the two main passions in my life. I have to acknowledge the huge role the School of Law played in setting me on my career path. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

As a leading lawyer in areas including human rights, libel, privacy, art and cultural property and freedom of information, Mark has undertaken some of the highest profile cases in this country and abroad. Now a senior member of the law firm Finers Stephens Innocent, he has practised before every level of Court in England and Wales, and regularly appears before the European Court of Human Rights and the Privy Council.

Mark is also a popular commentator, broadcaster, blogger and writer and his views on arts, law, media and human rights are frequently sought by the media.

Jack Petchey - an Honorary Fellow of the University of East London and founder of UEL’s Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship – also received a CBE for charitable services. One of London’s most successful entrepreneurs, Jack Petchey, has donated £65million over the last ten years to schools, clubs and projects which benefit young people in London, through his charitable trust, The Jack Petchey Foundation.

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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