Joe Docherty, who served as Chair of our governing University Council until summer 2025, has been made a life peer.
Lord Docherty has joined the House of Lords, the UK Parliament’s second chamber, which is responsible for examining proposed legislation, scrutinising government action, and investigating public policy.
Lord Docherty is one of 34 new life peers announced by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday 10 December. He was formally introduced to the House of Lords early in 2026.
Lord Docherty served as a member of our governing University Council for 16 years, including seven as Chair.
Lord is an experienced non-executive director and chief executive. He is Chair of the Northern Powergrid Foundation and a Trustee of the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
Also to be made a life peer is Richard Walker OBE, Founder and Chairman of Bywater and Executive Chairman of Iceland Foods. Mr Walker studied Geography at Durham, graduating in 2001.
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