Published on 10 July 2018
Businesswoman Lorna Moran who founded Northern Recruitment Group (NRG), the largest privately owned recruitment company in the North, has been made an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration by the University.
She received her award at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
Lorna said: “I hope that ultimately I have helped make a difference – that I have created something that has longevity.”
Newcastle-based Lorna began her career in her teens, working in telesales at the city’s Thomson’s newspaper group.
When a customer placed a job advert looking for people to work in, what was then, the fledgling recruitment industry, Lorna knew immediately this was an environment she could thrive in.
In 1976 Lorna launched Geordie Job Finders, a company that would ultimately evolve into Northern Recruitment Group (NRG). In 1997, the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange before being brought back under private ownership in 2008.
Today, with offices in Newcastle, the business continues to thrive, Three years ago, Lorna stepped down as Chief Executive but continues on as Chairman. With an over-arching national business development remit, and extensive experience at executive and board level, her expertise remains in huge demand.
In 2000, Lorna co-founded the Entrepreneur’s Forum - alongside fellow Sunderland honorary graduate Sir Peter Vardy - to provide a nurturing environment for North East entrepreneurs.
Step away from business and Lorna’s passion to give back still burns bright. While her philanthropy has taken many forms over the years, it is with Maggie’s Cancer Care Centres that her heart belongs. She played a key role in establishing a centre at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.
Lorna’s many other accolades and achievements include North East Businesswoman of the Year in 1997; an MBE for services to Employment Creation in 2000; OBE for services to Enterprise Promotion in 2014; trustee of the International Centre for Life; and board member of Tees Valley Regeneration.
On Tuesday, Lorna joined hundreds of students for the final day of graduations from the University.