University of Chester Vice-Chancellor nominated for Change Maker of the Year award
The University of Chester’s Vice-Chancellor has been nominated for a top business award.
The DIB Cheshire & North Wales Business Awards have returned for 2026, following a successful inaugural ceremony at Chester Racecourse in 2025. Organised by Downtown in Business, the awards bring together and celebrate the region’s cream of the crop.
And the University of Chester has been recognised, with Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons being shortlisted for Change Maker of the Year, a new category which celebrates those making a positive impact for their organisation.
As Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive since 2020, Professor Simmons leads on the implementation of the University’s Citizen Student Strategy which aims to transform futures and regenerate local and regional economies. She ensures that the University’s core national and international activities – teaching, research and knowledge exchange – are of the highest quality, producing excellent outcomes for students and external stakeholders. Graduates are now making significant contributions across the public, private and community sectors and the University is a key partner for many regional organisations.
Beyond the University, Professor Simmons is proud to be the founding Chair of TASO: Transforming Access and Student Outcomes, a national charity working with over 100 universities to ensure students get the opportunity to succeed in higher education from every background. She has stayed close to her environmental roots by chairing the Mersey Forest Steering Group; bringing nine local authorities together across 3,000 km2 from Southport to Crewe to create greener, nature-rich environments for their citizens.
Professor Simmons said: “It is a great honour to be nominated for this award, and my heartfelt congratulations go to my fellow nominees. It’s hugely gratifying to see the positive developments at the University of Chester being recognised; work which is only possible due to the enthusiasm of staff and students for the region in which they live, work and study.”
Downtown in Business Event Manager Casey Scott added: “After the success of last year’s event, we are once again bringing together the region’s most dynamic businesses, influential leaders and outstanding entrepreneurs for a day of celebration, connection and recognition.
“We’ve had plenty of nominations for this year’s awards and we’re looking forward to rewarding those who have helped drive growth and innovation, making Cheshire and North Wales one of the UK’s most exciting places to live, work and invest.”
Voting is now open for those wishing to cast their vote in the awards, which will return to Chester Racecourse on Friday, June 5. Winners are selected based on which nominee receives the most votes. To vote, visit: https://downtowninbusiness.com/canwba/#vote.
The charity partner for this year’s awards is personalised support cause Nugent. Based in the Liverpool City Region, Nugent offers a series of services for families from birth to end-of-life support.