Councillor Helen Holland
Doctor of Letters
Tuesday 1 August 2023 - Orator: Barra Mac Ruairi
Listen to full oration and honorary speech on Soundcloud
Deputy Vice-Chancellor;
Today I stand before you as Barra Mac Ruairí, Chief Property Officer and a Member of the University’s ExecutiveBoard, to celebrate and honour a remarkable individual who has made an indelible positive impact on our city.
It is my honour and privilege to present to you Councillor Helen Holland, a politician, a leader of communities, a champion for all of Bristol– from the most deprived communities to our most successful businesses and institutions. Helen is a symbol of enduring dedication, service, and continuousachievement. She isexceptionally worthy of the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of Bristol.
A Labour Party Councillor for more than 32 years, Helen represents the Hartcliffe and Withywood ward.In this role, she has fought tirelessly for the voices of her constituents, some of the most disadvantaged in our city, to be heardand not forgotten.
Re-elected at eight consecutive elections, she holds the distinction of being the city's longest-serving currently sitting councillor and the longest-serving currentlysitting elected representative of any party and at any level in Bristol.
Before her career in local government, Helen workedas a special needs teacher, displaying a deep-rooted commitment to education and the welfare of her community. Throughout her tenure at Bristol City Council and numerousnational bodies, she has undertaken multiple roles, including Leader of the Council. More recently, she has served as Cabinet Member with Executive responsibility for Adult Social Care. She is also aLead Regional Peer for the Local Government Association, building the capability of other Councils and their teams.
I previously had the pleasure of working for and alongside Helen as a Senior Officer at Bristol City Council and that period left me with great memories. Helen would always listen, valued expertise, allowed for difference, and the independence of your view. She could steer gently and firmly, but with a generous hand. I always remember her ability to move a floundering point on with a smile, to just calmy signal time is of the essence.Her speeches were substantial, her positions and thoughts always considered. Her leadership, knowledge, and wisdom across a vast range of civic areas, from planning, transportation, tourism, skills, and the economy meant that she could deploy great wisdom in an argument or the shaping of policy. She always looked externally to build her knowledge from other cities. Her approach has always been deeply valued by her political colleagues and Councilofficers.
Helen's passion shines through in her current role, where she is dedicated to doubling, at the very least, the number of people with learning disabilities supported into employment in Bristol. Furthermore, she has spearheaded efforts to plan and build much-needed extra care housing and explore innovative solutions like intergenerational housing. Through her collaboration with home care providers, initiatives such as the Ethical Care Charter and ethical commissioning have greatly improved pay, conditions, and recruitment in the sector.
In association withher Adult Social Care portfolio, Helen shoulders numerous other responsibilities, includingrecently taking on Chairing the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Partnership, leading the shared arrangements between the NHS and local authorities in the sub-region.She sits on the Bristol Women's Commission and leads on the Women Safe City. Her broad range of expertise reflects her unwavering commitment to holistic community well-being.
More recently, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Bristol's future governance and leadershipas a member of the Committee Model Working Group, responsible for transitioning from the existing mayoral model to a committee model of governance. Her vision and commitment to collaboration have ensured that Bristol's path forward is guided by the principles of inclusivity and shared decision-making.
She has also left an indelible mark on major projects, including the regeneration of Symes Avenue in Hartcliffe.Her involvement in the development of Harbourside andCabot Circus transformed our city centre, elevating Bristol's tourism, retail, and leisure offerings. Additionally, her efforts in the development of Hengrove Park, including the South Bristol Community NHS Hospital, Hengrove Leisure Centre, and the Bottle Yard Studios, have had a profound and positive impact on the local community and the city.
Her work developing Transport policy in a previous portfolio led to Helen being made a Fellow of the Institution of Highways and Transport and leading on European transport policy networks.
Helen's commitment to fostering leadership and empowering others is evident in her dedication to mentoring new councillors.As a Lead Regional Peer at the Local Government Association, she helps councils across the country build resilience and enhance their political and managerial capacity. Her extensive involvement in various boards and commissions, both nationally and internationally, demonstrates her unwavering commitment to excellence and collaborative progress.
Outside of her council duties, Helen remains deeply connected to her community. She serves as a Governor of Hartcliffe Nursery and Children's Centre, and as a Director of Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures at the Gatehouse Centre; an organisation established to increase opportunities and improve the quality of life in one of the most deprived areas in England.
It is no surprise that Helen's unwavering commitment has been recognised nationally. In 2019, she was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement award for her work as a Councillor.
Helen's long and distinguished political career has not only served her constituents but has also shaped the success of our city. Her unwavering commitment to community-building, expertise in local government, and remarkable leadership make her thoroughly deserving of the honorary degree we bestow to her today.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: I present to you Councillor Helen Holland as exceptionally worthy of the degree of Doctor of Letters honoris causa from the University of Bristol. May her inspiring journey continue to motivate and inspire us all.