Honorary Fellows 2025

Amanda Wilson

(for her outstanding contribution to teacher education and leadership) (July 2025)

Amanda Wilson is Headteacher of Saint Alfege  with Saint Peters Church based in Greenwich, South-East London and also active as a leadership coach and publisher.  She went to college studying a BTec in Business and Finance.  After college, a BSc in Technology Management followed at London South Bank University.

A short spell as a learning support assistant inspired Amanda to train as a teacher.  In 2000, she was offered a place to study a PGCE at the Urban Learning Foundation Centre, part of St Martins, Lancaster and now the University of Cumbria, at their campus in London.

The flexibility of the course delivery allowed Amanda to balance her studies while looking after her daughter and continuing to work.  Upon graduating in 2001 she spent the five years working at a primary school in Canning Town. Later she spent five years working for RM Education as an Education Specialist, then became a deputy headteacher in Greenwich.  In September 2019, Amanda secured her first headship.

Amanda is in the minority of only 1% of Black headteachers in England. This prompted her to write and self-publish ‘Letters to a Young Generation: Aspiring School Leaders’, where Black headteachers from across the UK have written letters sharing their advice to the next generation of Black school leaders.  In 2022 Amanda set up the ‘First 100 days Head Teachers Conference’ to support new and aspiring leaders on their journey to headships. In 2023 she graduated with an MA in Coaching and Mentoring Practice from Oxford Brookes University

Amanda holds a number of non-Executive positions with the Royal Borough of Greenwich including the Educate against Racism Partnership, the Schools Forum and is co-Chair of the Headteachers Conference Committee.  She is also a Mentor for the Church of England Like Us programme.

David Beeby DL

(in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Cumbrian economy and the charitable sector) (November 2025)

David Beeby was brought up on a mixed/dairy farm in Nottinghamshire.  After leaving school he went to college to study finance and accounting, before joining a local firm of Chartered Accountants and progressed to becoming a qualified Chartered Accountant.  After a few years he moved into industry in a finance role though quickly advanced into more commercial, then general management roles within larger groups. David has spent 50 years in the print and packaging industry which brought him to Cumbria in 1987 to run Smith Brothers (Whitehaven) Ltd. 

In 2004 he moved to run the Innovia Group, headquartered in Wigton, Cumbria. He retired from running the business in 2015 at which time there were manufacturing sites in Wigton, Belgium, USA, Australia and Mexico and sales to over 100 countries. The business was sold to CCL Industries in 2017, and David was able to maintain his contact and interest in the business by becoming an advisor to the board.

David has held several charitable roles. He is currently Chair of Cumbria Confederation of British Industry, Chair of the Cumbria Economic Growth Board, Chair of the Employment Advisory Board at HMP Haverigg and involved in working with a variety of companies, most notably as Chairman of Aqua Power Technologies Limited.

David spent nine years as Chair of Trustees of Cumbria Community Foundation before stepping down in 2025. David was honoured to play a pivotal role in supporting many disadvantaged individuals and communities as well as providing an excellent vehicle for those who wish to financially support life changing work through the Cumbria Community Foundation. 

David served as High Sherriff of Cumbria in 2021-22 and continues to be a Deputy Lieutenant for the county.

Colin Glover

(in recognition of his lifelong and outstanding contribution to civic, cultural and community engagement in Cumbria) (November 2025)

Colin is an inspirational leader and visionary who, over nearly three decades, has helped to bring communities of interest together to strengthen partnership working. 

Born in 1957 and educated at Inglewood Primary, Harraby Comprehensive School then Carlisle College.  After leaving formal education Colin began his working life in the rail industry where he served 23 years for InterCity West Coast and Virgin Trains.

Between 2000 and 2003 Colin worked for Age Concern before moving to Cumbria County Council and contract management, commissioning and service development roles specialising in support services for vulnerable adults with complex needs.

Colin became a City Councillor in 1998 -a duty he fulfilled for 25 years.  During that time, he served as the Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio holder for Economy and Enterprise. Under his steady leadership as Leader of the Council the city was able to emerge from the devastating 2015 floods, with community spirit and teamwork driving recovery.

Colin was Leader of Carlisle City Council from 2013 until 2019.  He was honoured to serve a term of office as Deputy Mayor for Carlisle between 2022/23 in the final year of Carlisle City Council. 

Passionate about the arts, cultural and heritage developments in the county, Colin is a Trustee of Tullie, a Director and Trustee of Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, based in Carlisle Castle. He is also Chair and Trustee of Currock Community Association, a position he has held since 1999 and a Trustee of Carlisle Society for the Blind.  Since February 2025 Colin has become a Director of Carlisle Matters, an organisation that creates positive change, innovation and growth within communities.