King’s Foundation chair and nominee peer admits ‘misleading’ doctorate claim

The chair of the King’s Foundation Dame Ann Limb has admitted being “misleading” about her doctorate qualification.

The education specialist, who was recently nominated for a life peerage by Labour, told the Sunday Times that she had not completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool, despite this appearing on her since-amended CV.

“To be completely upfront and honest about it, I never completed my PhD at Liverpool University,” she told the newspaper, adding that she used the Doctor title because she had been conferred with honorary PhDs by other institutions.

The BBC has contacted Dame Ann for comment. The King’s Foundation declined to comment.

Dame Ann was among nominees to the House of Lords announced by Downing Street earlier in December, having held a number of senior public and private roles.

The King’s Foundation – which offers courses in practical skills to young people – announced last week that she would be stepping down from her role as chair, which she had held since January, to become a peer.

An old version of her online CV, seen by the BBC, refers to her with the “Dr” honorific and lists a PhD from the University of Liverpool in 1978 as among her qualifications.

She was referred to as Dr Ann Limb by the City & Guilds Foundation, which she also chairs, in 2020, and in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list announcing her damehood in 2022.

However, a new version of her CV – made in July 2024 – omits the Dr honorific and the supposed 1978 PhD, stating that she received honorary PhDs from Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Northampton.

Her website still says that she began her teaching career in further education “whilst undertaking a PhD at the University of Liverpool”.

She told the Sunday Times: “I have used the word ‘Doctor’… because I have got several honorary PhDs and that’s been clear to me that they’re honorary.

“Perhaps my own website is not very helpful, I don’t pay a lot of attention to it, but if there’s anything misleading… on that I’m very happy to correct [it].”

The newspaper also reported she claimed to have gained an MA from the Institute of Linguistics, which she also admitted was untrue.

Recipients of honorary doctorates tend not to use the Dr honorific despite technically being able to out of deference to those who have undertaken the academic work to receive a PhD.

When approached for comment, a No 10 spokesperson directed the BBC to a document listing the reasons why Dame Ann had been nominated for a peerage.

That document notes she has been the chair or non-executive director of several public, private and charity bodies.

Dame Ann grew up in Moss Side in Manchester and is currently the pro-chancellor of the University of Surrey and chair of institutions including the Lloyds Bank Foundation.

She was made a dame for services to young people and philanthropy, having spent much of her career in higher education.