New award for graduating students making their mark on Cumbria

Graduating from the University of Cumbria with a BSc (Hons) Social Enterprise Leadership degree, Lisa Scargill, of Preston, Lancashire, is the first recipient of The Hensman Prize.

The Hensman Prize has been created and is supported generously by well-known Kendal couple Claire and Peter Hensman. It is among a number of special awards and prizes presented during the university’s graduations taking place at Carlisle Cathedral this week.

Lisa Scargill works for Balfour Beatty after spending early years of her career at Cumbrian charity Inspira.

She initially joined Balfour Beatty in November 2022 to help lead social impact work for its £1.34billion Box Encapsulation Plant project at Sellafield in west Cumbria, after several years working for employability and skills charity Inspira.

Her graduation this week comes a month after Lisa was promoted to the role of regional social impact manager for Balfour Beatty across the North of England.

Lisa, a mature student, is a member of the latest cohort to complete the Aspiring Leaders Programme (ALP), an innovative leadership development programme launched by the Francis C Scott Trust and delivered in partnership with Brathay Trust, University of Cumbria and Common Purpose.

During her time on this leadership programme, Lisa’s achievements have included:

• planning and implementation of a project supporting children in Cumbria with reading;
• hosting Dream Placement students for her organisation, Balfour Beatty; helping to raise aspirations for young people;
• securing donations and funding for places on The Mighty Hike, a fundraising challenge in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support;
• supporting careers education in local schools;
• supporting the Whitehaven Health & Wellbeing Festival;
• volunteering with supporting youth centre career aspiration sessions, mock interviews with Inspira, helping Third Sector apprentices and trainees; and
• allocating £30,000 in a variety of sponsorships to grassroot, community good causes.

Lisa, now 35, enrolled on the ALP programme whilst still at Inspira, after failing to gain a promotion.

She said: “I needed the ALP programme for my own development. Now I’m absolutely thrilled to be graduating. It’s my first degree compared to others who I’m graduating with from the cohort.

“It has been a hard three years but an incredible experience. I see the last three years as being a huge catalyst to fulfilling my potential and of what can be achieved. I’ve been fortunate also to have had the support of both my employers whilst on the programme.”

Lisa has now applied and been offered a place to embark on her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Cumbria in the autumn.

Senior lecturer and ALP academic programme leader Zaeed Mohammed said: “This award is centred about making an impact in Cumbria. Whilst there are many who do this, Lisa is someone who has epitomised this award before it was created. She sees her future continuing to do this, supporting Cumbria and those in the county in any way she can.”

The Hensman Prize will be presented twice yearly to nominated graduating students from the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership. It will recognise a graduand whose impact and contribution has demonstrable benefit to the county’s community through either research, volunteering, projects or a business start-up.

The Hensmans have created this award to encourage University of Cumbria students to consider ways in which they can help to grow the Cumbrian economy and strengthen its communities.

They commented: “We are delighted that Lisa is the first winner of this award. She is a worthy winner; her work helping to raise the skills and aspirations of young people in the county matches perfectly our intentions for this award.”

Claire Hensman CVO is an Honorary Fellow of the university. The fellowship was bestowed upon her a year ago in recognition of her lifelong and outstanding contribution to charity, community, and service to the Monarchy in the county.

She had served as the county’s Lord-Lieutenant, the Monarch’s representative in Cumbria, for a decade before her retirement. Claire has also served as the county’s High Sheriff and held many roles across county.

Peter Hensman OBE is widely known and respected for his roles whilst at the helm of one of the county’s largest tourism and leisure businesses, Lake District Holdings.

He was involved in the family company for more than 40 years, serving a decade as chairman until retiring last year.

Peter has also served the county as a board member for organisations including Cumbria Community Foundation, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency, Furness Building Society, Kendal Futures Board, and the Lake District National Park Authority’s Business Task Force.

ENDS