UCO honours editor and housing boss

Oldham Evening Chronicle managing editor David Whaley.

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OLDHAM Chronicle managing editor David Whaley and Cath Green, chief executive of First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), are to receive honorary fellowships from University Campus Oldham in its 10th anniversary year.

The pair will receive the title at tomorrow’s graduation ceremony at Oldham Parish Church.

They are being honoured for services to the community and vocational education respectively.

Cath was appointed First Choice Homes Oldham’s chief executive in November, 2010, and completed the final negotiations for the transfer of thousands of council houses in the borough to the organisation.

She originally did vocational training with the Chartered Institute of Housing before working in local government for 25 years.

This has resulted in a commitment to vocational education which includes opportunities for UCO students to take part in work placements and mentoring programmes at FCHO, taking on apprentices and encouraging colleagues to complete vocational qualifications.

“I was thrilled when I found out about the honorary fellowship,” said Cath.

“I feel incredibly honoured and proud to be given this award, as I believe that vocational training is such an important part of education and invests in the future skills of the people in the town.

“I can’t wait to get my cap and gown.”

David (54) first joined the Oldham Chronicle straight from North Chadderton School as a trainee in 1979. He then worked at papers in Lincoln and Birmingham from 1985 before returning as deputy editor in 2000.

Married with two children and two stepchildren, he became editor in 2010 and managing editor three years later.

David was diagnosed with throat cancer in April, 2014, and won a special award at the North-West Media Awards for his series of “Keep Smiling” features written throughout his treatment.

He said: “Receiving news of the fellowship was a shock but I am excited to be taking part in the ceremony as I came into journalism straight from school 36 years ago and never went to university.

“The Chronicle holds a special place in the fabric of Oldham life and I am proud to be part of a hard-working team that delivers week-in week-out.”

Around 100 UCO students will graduate tomorrow. The celebrations start with a town centre parade at 10.30am followed by the ceremony.

Previous people to have received honorary titles from UCO include former actress Shobna Gulati and physicist Professor Brian Cox.