FORMER leader of Warrington Borough Council John Gartside OBE JP DL – Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Warrington Disability Partnership – has received an honorary Master of Arts in recognition of his contribution to public service in Cheshire.
He received the honour at the University of Chester’s graduating class of 2025 at Chester Cathedral.
The class of 2025 was joined by their family, friends and lecturers to mark their success and were congratulated by Presiding Officers Chancellor of the University, Dr Gyles Brandreth, Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons and Pro-Chancellor Meredydd David.
Professor Simmons said: “It fills us with pride to celebrate our graduates’ achievements alongside their loved ones as they begin their professional journeys. We commend them for all they have accomplished and extend our best wishes for their future endeavors.”
John Gartside
John is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Warrington Disability Partnership.
Following a career in university, higher and further education John became a Board member of the Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation. Since then, he has served as Leader of Warrington Borough Council overseeing the transition to a unitary authority, Chair of Warrington Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Chair of 5 Boroughs Partnership Trust and Chair of NHS Warrington (PCT).
He was also employed as a member of the national Big Lottery Board from 2004-2012. John was also a magistrate (appointed 1979), and was a founder trustee of the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Foundation for Peace, Warrington Wolves Foundation and a trustee/director of The Spirit Trust 2012 (national Olympic legacy organisation). He was granted the Freedom of Warrington (Freeman) in 2004.
Commenting on his honour John said: “I am proud and delighted to be recognised by Chester’s outstanding university, which adds value to and enriches the entire county. Cheshire has been part of my identity for many years and in many ways: in this wonderful county my wife and I raised our family; I served as a magistrate, had a long and varied career, and have the honour to be a Deputy Lieutenant.”
