Brotherton Circle Newsletter
2025
Thank you for your support
When I joined the University of Leeds last autumn, I knew that I was joining an institution with a large, global alumni community. What I perhaps did not fully appreciate was what an active role so many former students and other supporters play in the life of the University.
I am grateful that so many of you give up your valuable time to meet prospective students at recruitment events, return to campus to give talks about careers and opportunities, and provide one-to-one mentoring sessions for students. You are the very best advocates for our University and your contributions as volunteers make a huge difference to our students’ experience and the other projects you support.
Likewise, your donations underpin so many of our research facilities and programmes, and enable us to award scholarships to students who might otherwise struggle with the costs of University study.
At one of my first meetings with the Advancement Team, I asked about the University’s legacy programme. I was delighted to learn about the long tradition of bequests to Leeds – stretching back long before the University received its charter in 1904 – and how legacy gifts have been critical to our development ever since.
I also learned about the Brotherton Circle, whose members have pledged to support the University in their wills. It is a wonderful testament to this institution – and to the generosity of our supporters – that so many of you have made this remarkable commitment to Leeds. This commitment will ensure that legacy gifts will continue to make an impact on the University and our students for generations to come.
The Brotherton Circle summer event goes right to the heart of this theme, as we invite you to explore the remarkable treasures of the Brotherton Collection. Some of these items were bequeathed to us in Lord Brotherton’s will, while others have been acquired through the endowment he also established to enable the collection to grow. These books and manuscripts enrich our students’ education, inspire new research and attract scholars to Leeds from around the world.
Thank you for your support. I look forward to welcoming you back to campus in August.
With best wishes,
Professor Shearer West
Vice Chancellor and President
Archive chronicles the art of the deal
An archive of photographs, letters and ledgers, some dating back to Edwardian times, will enhance the University’s unique collection of materials relating to Britain’s antiques trade.
The archive details the history of London dealers Bluett and Sons, one of the most significant traders in Chinese works of art from their foundation in the 1880s to their closure over 100 years later. It will be added to the University’s collection thanks to the generosity of Brotherton Circle member Dominic Jellinek, who spent 14 years with Bluett’s.
Dominic admits that he joined the firm almost by chance: “I had studied English history at Manchester, graduating in 1978, and I didn’t have a career plan at all. Both my older brothers worked in the antiques trade and they heard that Bluett's needed someone to start at the bottom of the heap. It seemed quite an interesting place and I enjoyed history, so it was a good fit.”
Bluett’s were one of the world’s leading dealers in Chinese art, selling to major collectors and museums in the UK, Europe and the USA, and Dominic immersed himself in their world of expertise, passion and provenance. “We had premises in Davies Street in London, near rival antique dealer John Sparks, and this was then considered to be the city’s Oriental quarter.
“It was a time when air travel to the Far East was becoming easier, and we would buy in China and Japan, and sell to collectors in the west. I learned a lot from colleagues who were very knowledgeable.”
At the time, the company was also shifting its focus to include Middle Eastern antiques: “One of our directors made contact with a number of dealers in Tehran, and our collectors bought a lot of that material too.”
But, just as the interest in Iranian collections diminished in the years after the Shah was deposed in 1979, Bluett’s slowly ran out of steam. “In 1988 the business was sold to a consortium and we moved around the corner to more extravagant premises opposite Claridge's. But it was insufficiently financed and they eventually just ran out of money. I was with the company until the bitter end.
“When the receivers came in, Sotheby's valued everything – but they didn't go into the basement, which is where the archives were kept. So along with Roger Bluett, a director of the firm until 1988, we made an offer of £1,200 for the archives which was something of a bargain at the time. Roger kept some of the material relating to his father and I kept the rest.”
Dominic has put it to good use while working freelance for auction houses, verifying the provenance and value of items on sale – and helping him guard against fakes when adding to his own porcelain collection. It also formed the basis of Provenance, a vast biographical dictionary of collectors, dealers and scholars in the field of Chinese ceramics, co-authored by Dominic with Roy Davids, former head of manuscripts at Sotheby's.
“It’s a unique collection,” says Mark Westgarth, Professor of History of the Art Market, who works closely with the University’s unique collection relating to the trade.
The Bluett Archive is extraordinarily important and perhaps the most significant archive on the trade in Chinese works of art in the world. Its addition to the already world-class collections of art dealer archives at the University reaffirms the Brotherton Library as one of the leading resources for art market research.”
When Mark’s research came to Dominic’s attention, he decided the Brotherton Library was the ideal home for the collection. “I hadn’t decided what should happen to the archive after my death,” he says. “Mark was working on his antiques archive project and I read an article that he had written for the Antiques Dealers Gazette. I met him and he was very personable and enthusiastic – and it seemed like a good idea to pledge the archive to Leeds.
“It seemed to make sense if it comes in my lifetime, so I can oversee the transfer. But I don't wish to part with it just yet!”
The green shoots of recovery
As the global demand for food continues to rise, so does farming’s impact on the planet. The legacy of a long-serving lecturer is supporting research into more sustainable agriculture.
“We want to grow plants that deposit more carbon into the soil to create healthier and more sustainable ecosystems,” says researcher Zoë Kitching.
Her passion for plant biology is rooted in its endless opportunities for experimentation. “You can do experiments on plants which for obvious ethical reasons you can't do on animals or humans. The regenerative agriculture trial is applying the results of these experiments to create real world solutions.”
Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is a farming approach that aims to reverse the negative impacts of traditional agricultural practices, such as greenhouse gas emissions, water and air pollution, and biodiversity loss. By improving soil health and restoring soil biodiversity, RA seeks to deliver both environmental and socio-economic benefits.
Yet despite its potential to contribute to sustainable food production, a lack of knowledge and evidence on RA practices is hindering its adoption, as farmers and policymakers are unsure about which practices to implement and support. An RA trial at the University of Leeds farm near Tadcaster is aiming to address these gaps by generating crucial information to help farmers transition to more sustainable practices.
Zoë is exploring the root systems of plants, focusing on how they can enhance carbon sequestration. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon from the atmosphere and transfer it through their roots into the ground. In turn, the carbon helps to bind the soil, improving its ability to retain nutrients and water, and supporting ecosystems of worms and insects.
The project aims to understand whether we can cultivate plants that deposit more carbon into the soil by examining root traits such as size, thickness and depth to identify which characteristics are most effective.”
Her work is funded by the Gosden PhD studentship in Plant Biology, established through the will of Dr Sheila Gosden (1928–2017).
A graduate of the University of London anD Hughes Hall, Cambridge, Sheila began her career as a teacher in Nottingham before joining the University of Leeds in 1958 as a lecturer in the department of education, where she met and married her colleague Peter Gosden.
She also found time to undertake part-time research for a PhD in the biology department, with particular emphasis on the fossil plants of the Yorkshire Dales. Her focus on the education of future teachers was closely informed by her own experiences.
The scholarship means the world to me, without it, I wouldn't be here today. It's truly incredible to collaborate with leading researchers and contribute to groundbreaking research that could revolutionise our approach to a fundamental aspect of human life – food production. I deeply wish I could personally thank Sheila for her support. But in her absence, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who is leaving a legacy to Leeds. Your generosity has an impact beyond measure, and you may never fully realise the profound difference you will make.”
She tried to pass to her students not just the importance of absolute rigour in scientific method, but also the excitement of scientific investigation and discovery, and the joy of uncovering and communicating new knowledge.
On her retirement in 1991, Dr Gosden received the rare honour of a Life Fellowship, allowing her to maintain a close connection to the University. Peter died in 2012 and when Sheila died five years later she left a substantial legacy to support and encourage the study of plant sciences and related subjects.
In Zoë’s case, the Gosden PhD Studentship is not only supporting her research ambitions but also enabling her to broaden her academic networks through travel and conferences.
One of the reasons I wanted to stay in science was to travel and meet inspiring researchers from around the world,” she says. “I was lucky enough to be chosen to join the Feed Care Protect initiative, a University of Montpellier platform which brings together PhD students from around the world. Together we discuss the challenges of delivering food security and the solutions which our respective countries are implementing.”
Zoë is not the only researcher on the regenerative agriculture trial whose academic career is being profoundly impacted by Dr Gosden's generosity and vision. A new Gosden PhD student will join the team in the next academic year.
Dr Ruth Wade, a lecturer in sustainable agriculture in the Faculty of Biological Sciences and one of the leaders of the Regenerative Agriculture trial, reflects on the importance of PhD funding for advancing research: “The contributions of PhD students like Zoë are the bedrock of our research – it enables us to take a deep dive into research questions that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.
“This significantly enhances our understanding of how systems are working and also provides an evidence-base for stakeholders such as practitioners, government and industry on best-practice.
With funding, we can assemble the brightest minds around the table – or in this case on the farm – to tackle real-world challenges that urgently need addressing.”
Through her generous gift, Dr. Margaret Gosden has cultivated a fairer, more inclusive research culture at the University, empowering the next generation of Leeds researchers.
From the meagre to the magnificent
How a public appeal a century ago led to the creation of our spectacular Brotherton Library
This year marks the 100th anniversary of a major University of Leeds fundraising campaign – a public appeal which ultimately led to the most significant legacy we have ever received.
Just 21 years after receiving its university charter, Leeds was already bursting at the seams. Investments in the campus had failed to keep up with the steady increase in the number of students, the vast majority of whom came from Yorkshire.
Nature magazine reported: “The work is handicapped by overcrowding and by the use of unsatisfactory temporary sheds and converted dwelling-houses. It is intended to substitute the chaotic collection of private houses and temporary hutments with a range of buildings suitable for university work and worthy of the
dignity of a university.”
The 1925 campaign appealed to local pride and urged Yorkshire folk to dig deep to redress this balance. They were encouraged to cash in gold, silver and even cutlery, or buy tickets for a fundraising lottery. Trade Unions, Co-Operative societies and other workers’ groups were also asked to contribute to the “democratic education” offered at Leeds.
The centrepiece of the campaign was a 23-minute silent film showing scenes from around campus, interspersed with inspirational messages to galvanise support. It showed the original red-brick buildings of the former Yorkshire College, students enrolling in the Great Hall and working in laboratories and on the University farm. It further played to civic pride by showing children from local schools who might one day attend the University.
The film premiered to a specially-invited audience at the city’s vast new Majestic Cinema in City Square in October 1925.
The event was attended by the Duke of York – later King George VI – who was patron of the appeal. The film was then shown as a curtain-raiser for other public film screenings around the county, during this golden age of early cinema.
The campaign’s target was an ambitious £500,000, though by the date of the launch, pledges already totalled over £150,000, an impressive figure amid post-war recovery and industrial depression.
The film emphasised the importance of building a new library for Leeds, comparing our meagre reading room – described by Nature magazine “the most defective of all” – to the impressive facilities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol.
Whether he was influenced by the campaign or not, Lord Brotherton of Wakefield, an avid collector or rare books and manuscripts, was very soon in discussion with the University about his legacy. In 1927 he made a gift of £100,000 to build the library which would take his name.
Though he didn’t live to see its completion, he spoke of his hopes for the building when he laid its foundation stone: “A great library in a great university is a trust for the nation at large.”
On his death in 1930, Lord Brotherton’s collection of 70,000 books, manuscripts, deeds and letters was bequeathed to the University, along with an endowment which enables the expansion of the Brotherton Collection to this day.
Fostering enterprise for a new generation
Enterprise, innovation and collaboration are the watchwords of our annual Venture Competition which puts students’ business acumen to the test.
The competition is run by our business support service Spark, whose dynamic series of initiatives are designed to inspire and equip students from all disciplines with the skills, confidence and mindset to become the next generation of leaders and founders. A generous legacy gift from the estate of Leeds resident Arthur Hock provided prizes for this year’s winners.
Open to all students, from undergraduates to PhDs, the competition uses software to simulate the experience of running a business. Students form teams or work individually to tackle strategic decisions and grow the value and profitability of their virtual companies.
68 students from a wide range of disciplines signed up for the contest – a three-fold increase on 2023. After an initial weeklong challenge, 38 of them progressed to a finals day where they faced a fresh business challenge and pitched their insights to a panel of judges.
The winning team, Team Innovix, comprised first-year students from Computer Science and the Business School.
Leading Team Innovix to the top of the leaderboard was a thrilling and rewarding journey. The simulation challenged us to think strategically and collaborate effectively – skills that will be invaluable for the future.”
The legacy gift enabled Spark to award cash prizes to the top three teams and recognise outstanding performances in leadership, problem-solving and communication.
The time of your life
Did you have unforgettable nights in the Refectory? Conquer the infamous Otley Run? Cross the stage of the Great Hall on graduation day?
Last year, we celebrated 120 years since the University of Leeds was founded by Royal Charter of Edward VII in 1904. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have called Leeds their home – whether for a few months, a few years, or a lifetime. Many have told us they had the time of their lives here, carrying the experiences, skills, and friendships they formed at Leeds into the wider world.
Last month, we launched our annual Scholarships Appeal to celebrate exactly this: what it means to be part of the Leeds community, and how profoundly your connection to the University shapes lives – your own, and those who follow after you.
Gifts to the appeal help students like Dawit, who arrived in the UK as a refugee at just 17 years old, completely alone and speaking little English. With determination, he rebuilt his life, made new friends, and pursued his dream of studying science. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporters, Dawit received a lifechanging scholarship and is now studying Biomedical Sciences, determined to pay forward the support he has received and contribute to important research in healthcare.
The Leeds alumni community saved me and my dream with the gift of a scholarship. There are many other people like me, who just want the chance at a better life. A better future.”
Your support ensures that students like Dawit can thrive at Leeds and make the most of every opportunity.
Whether you studied at, worked for, or supported Leeds, tell us: what’s your favourite Leeds memory? Share your story, or even photos, and find out how you can help future students have the time of their lives.
Translating science into new treatments
A gift from Brotherton Circle members Peter and Susan Cheney is giving new insights into human disease.
Funded by Peter Cheney (Bacteriology and Biochemistry 1969) and his wife Susan, the University’s new Cheney Biomedical Accelerator will provide an unparalleled environment where key research questions critical to understanding human diseases can be addressed.
Professor Francesco del Galdo sets out the ambitions for the Accelerator: “Our ambition is to have translated at least one project from fundamental knowledge to a clinical development within 10 years.”
The vision for the Accelerator grew from a new development in imaging methods which, for the first time, allows us to study the structure, function and interactions that molecules make in their native environment. This means examining how a molecule’s structure changes in the complex, crowded environment of a human cell or tissue. This is precisely where proteins have evolved to work – and where they go wrong in disease.
The Cheney Biomedical Accelerator will bring together researchers in both medicine and biology to explore research and clinical needs to ultimately improve patient outcomes. It will prioritise bold, innovative research that underpins the development of more targeted and effective therapies and diagnostics across all disease areas.
Part of the funding is supporting a PhD programme aimed at training the next generation of researchers to better understand disease and use that knowledge to make real world impact.
This exciting work wouldn't be possible without the exceptional generosity of donors Peter and Susan, who have contributed £11m towards the project. After his graduation, Peter initially worked in the pharmaceutical industry before moving to Mars Inc where he worked his way up to become Co-President of the business. Susan enjoyed a successful career both in dentistry and as a paramedic.
We hope this will accelerate the development and the translation of fundamental science into medical treatments that can benefit people in the future. Through my experience here in Leeds over the last ten years, when I've seen what the clinicians do on one side and what the fundamental scientists do on the other, I felt there was a little bit of a void between the two that we could bridge and it’s this translational phase in taking knowledge into reality. Bringing people together through a common facility, through common shared projects between medicine and fundamental science, I think is the way to do this.”
Watch a video where Peter talks about his legacy to Leeds:
Accessing the past, inspiring the future
Brotherton Circle Event, Thursday 21 August 11:00am – 4:00pm
We warmly invite you to join us for the annual Brotherton Circle Event – a day dedicated to celebrating the profound and lasting impact of legacy giving at the University of Leeds. Held in the heart of the University’s Special Collections, this year’s event will shine a light on how gifts in wills continue to preserve our cultural heritage and inspire future generations of students and researchers.
Together, we will explore the remarkable legacy of philanthropy through two exceptional collections. The Brotherton Collection, the cornerstone of our Special Collections, continues to thrive thanks to the Brotherton Endowment, which supports the ongoing acquisition of rare and valuable materials.
Complementing this is the John Evan Bedford Library of Furniture History – a distinguished archive of furniture history generously gifted by eminent art and antique dealer John Bedford.
This collection, along with an accompanying legacy gift, has not only deepened the richness of our holdings but also enabled a transformative redesign of the Special Collections space, creating a more open, inclusive and collaborative environment for all who use it.
Throughout the day, guests will enjoy exclusive access to highlights from both historic and newly acquired materials, while learning from academic experts about the University’s leading research in
the arts, culture, and heritage sectors.
The event will conclude with a traditional afternoon tea, hosted by Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Shearer West – a wonderful opportunity to reflect, connect, and celebrate the power of giving.
We encourage you to bring a guest to share in this special occasion and discover how legacies are helping to shape a brighter, more culturally enriched future at Leeds.
Leaving a gift in your will
Making a will is one of the most important things you will ever do.
By remembering the University of Leeds in your will, you will help make higher education accessible to all and enable Leeds to attract the best academic talent to solve society's most pressing challenges.
Leaving a legacy is a personal and meaningful act of generosity, and we are committed to ensuring your gift has the greatest possible impact. If you are thinking of making such a gift, please let us know. We would love the opportunity to thank you and show the impact of this support in your lifetime.
You can find more information about legacy or in memory giving here alternatively, you can contact Jessica Mifsud-Bonnici via email at give@leeds.ac.uk or phone +44 113 343 8105 to have conversation about the impact your gift could have.
Jessica Mifsud-Bonnici - Senior Development Officer (Legacies)
Jessica Mifsud-Bonnici - Senior Development Officer (Legacies)
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