Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, said “We’re absolutely delighted that Helen has received this award for services to Higher Education. Her contribution to the University and its success over the years have been significant, in particular her strong creative vision and leadership of our academic strategy and the development of the Verena Holmes STEM Building at the University, which opened to students in January 2021. Helen’s OBE is wonderful recognition of her achievements and contributions over a long and distinguished career.”

Professor James was appointed to the Senior Management Team at Canterbury Christ Church University in September 2014, initially as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education and Student Experience), before being promoted to Deputy Vice-Chancellor in October 2019. 

With a distinguished career in STEM, both within the engineering industry as a mechanical engineer, Professor James has over 20 years’ strategic leadership experience in roles in universities in South East England and also North East Wales, where she led high profile engineering projects. A Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), she was named Woman of the Year 2005 for Science and Technology, Wales, in recognition of outstanding services to engineering. Professor James has also held many national directorships and board membership roles related to STEM and widening participation.  

As senior strategic and founding lead for the Kent and Medway Engineering, Design, Growth and Enterprise (EDGE) Hub Project (a partnership between the University and industry), Professor James has led the seven-year development of the recently opened £65 million Verena Holmes STEM building on the Canterbury Campus. The building offers state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, learning and research across STEM disciplines, including the new Kent and Medway Medical School. Providing this much needed facility marks a significant shift in STEM education for the region, with the aim of increasing diversity in STEM education and careers, and supporting Kent and Medway’s future workforce development, retaining high-quality graduate skills in vital science, technology and health sectors. Professor James has also led strongly on widening participation across the University’s academic portfolio.

Professor Helen James said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this honour. Thank you everyone, north and south, England and Wales, industry, further and higher education who has been part of my journey. My passion for engineering, learning and widening participation started when I was 16 and I began my apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer in Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in Furness.

“Education genuinely transforms lives. It has been a dream come true to be able to lead the vision for the development of an inclusive STEM ecosystem for Kent and Medway. Serving as Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, an ambitious university that has widening participation in its DNA, enabling access to all professions for its graduates and transforming lives is a huge honour. Thank you staff, students and communities.”