Trailblazing woman of leadership is honoured by the University of Leicester

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

Dr Bridget Towle CBE received 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 different governance roles. She sat on Council from 2000 to 2019, including serving as University Treasurer 2009-2013, then as Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council 2013-2019. She is also a Life Member of University Court. 

Recognised as a trailblazing leader, Bridget was the first female Chair of Council and preceding that its first female Treasurer.

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

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

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

“As someone who was born and bred in Leicestershire, I’ve been very proud to witness the University’s growth in my time here. It’s an honour to be associated with such an outstanding seat of learning that is such a force for good, locally, nationally and internationally.”

Bridget, who comes from a Leicestershire family, studied economics, law and politics at Exeter University. Following her degree, she served with 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 longstanding advocate of the University and over the years she has supported many appeals and projects, and has provided invaluable strategic direction to many developments including the Brookfield and Freemen’s developments. 

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

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

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

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

“Bridget’s devotion to the University of Leicester cannot be underestimated, she has been a key influence in shaping it into the institution we see today.

“Not only a trailblazer for women, this inspirational colleague of mine has also thrown herself into charity work and civic duties. The University and wider world owes this Citizen of Change a substantial debt of gratitude.”