The Benefactors Award is the University’s highest recognition for alumni whose extraordinary generosity and commitment have fundamentally transformed our campus, empowered our students, and advanced world-leading research. For Ann and Jim, returning to the graduation stage to accept this honour is a deeply personal full-circle moment.
Ann and Jim have long been passionate about helping students in financial need, generously giving £240,000 to fund over 60 Cairns Scholarships. Their most recent gift of £500,000 is also set to make a transformative difference to MND and multiple sclerosis research at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), And they have pledged a further very generous gift to support our Access to Sheffield summer schools in 2027, to help young people aged 16 aspire to and achieve a place at university. Their extraordinary, transformational philanthropy to our University has now reached an amazing £1 million.
Beyond her philanthropy, Ann continues to inspire our community as a dedicated alumni volunteer. By sharing her global leadership expertise through initiatives such as The Boardroom, she ensures the next generation of Sheffield graduates is prepared to lead with the same vision and values she has demonstrated throughout her remarkable career.
To mark this special occasion, we spoke with Ann about her memories of Sheffield, the personal motivation behind her family's philanthropy, and what it means to be back in the Octagon today.
You were the first in your family to attend university. How does it feel to be returning to the graduation stage to receive the Benefactors Award in front of the Class of 2026?
It feels incredibly special and very emotional. Our parents left school at 14 and worked hard all their lives. They were so proud that both Jim and I went to university, and they came to our graduation ceremonies in the 1970s.
So standing on this stage again brings all of that back. We know how important today is — not just for the graduates, but for their families too. University changes lives, and for people like us, it opens doors we never imagined possible.
I loved my time at the University of Sheffield. It built my confidence, widened my circle of friends, and gave me opportunities that shaped the rest of my life — despite the fact that I once turned up to the wrong venue for a final exam and had to race by bus from the gym to Cutlers’ Hall, arriving 28 minutes late! Coming back now and seeing the next generation graduating is a real privilege.
You’ve been such a champion for our scholarship students. What is the one piece of advice you’d give to the students graduating alongside you this summer?
Life is full of change — embrace it.
Push yourself to do the things you dream about, even if they feel daunting at first. In my case, that meant building a career that took me all over the world. In Jim’s case, it meant sailing around the world. We built that life together, and we’re proud to have a daughter who is a world traveller, who is building her life as a theatre entrepreneur.
Your degree is important, but so is your willingness to stay curious, take opportunities, and sometimes step outside your comfort zone. You never quite know where life will lead you — and that’s part of the excitement.
You’ve said that ‘in the North, your money makes a bigger impact.’ How does it feel to see your support for SITraN and scholarships recognised officially by the University of Sheffield?
Of course, we never did any of this for recognition, but it is lovely to know the work matters.
Both Jim and I were on full grants, but even then we still couldn’t afford halls of residence, so we supplemented our income by working — Jim on building sites and me in cafes. We understand what it feels like to have ability and ambition, but not always the means.
Now that we are in a position to give back, it gives us enormous pleasure to help students make the most of their university experience. We are also tremendously excited by the work being done at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience and thrilled to see it continuing to grow and expand. What Sheffield achieves — both in research and in supporting students — genuinely changes lives, and we’re proud to play a small part in that.
You’ve had an incredible career with many accolades — where does receiving this award from your alma mater sit for you and Jim personally?
This one feels very personal.
Awards connected to your career are wonderful, but recognition from the place that helped shape your life means something different. Sheffield gave me confidence, friendships, opportunities and experiences that stayed forever.
So for both Jim and me, receiving this award from the University of Sheffield is deeply meaningful. It feels a little like coming home.
We extend our warmest congratulations and deepest thanks to Ann and Jim for their extraordinary generosity and their continued commitment to our students and research.