Wally was born in Toxteth. His Father was a West African seaman and is mother was English. He attended both Primary and Secondary schools in the area.

After leaving school and spending 16 years in the engineering industry, Wally returned to University as a mature student. His University education was spent at the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool. After University, Wally worked initially in Toxteth, as a youth worker and Community Education Project Manager.

Wally left Liverpool to work in Moss Side Manchester in 1982, where he spent eight years as a Community Education Coordinator. He was then moved to Lambeth, South London for a further two years where he was Head of the Adult Education and Youth Services.

He returned to Liverpool in 1991 to become Principal of Liverpool Community College and making history as the first Black Principal amongst the 400+ colleges in the further education sector. He retired from that position in August 2008.

During his time as Principal he lead the 3,000-place higher education college to become one of the best performing colleges in the country. He also transformed the college estate in leading investment, of over £100m at today’s values, over an eight year period.

And for his part in the college’s progression, Wally was awarded a CBE in 2002 for services to further education. But he is equally well known outside the college walls.

He said: “It’s been so enjoyable working with fantastic staff and seeing the college grow”.

“The first landmark was the opening of the arts centre in Myrtle Street in 1999 and things have just gone from there.”

Wally has always been active in community politics within the Toxteth Black Community.

During the 1970s he chaired both the Liverpool Black Organisation and the Merseyside Anti Racist Alliance, both active organisation during the 1970s and 80s. He was also the only Liverpool born Black to Chair the Merseyside Community Relations Council, a position he held between 1980 and 1982.

Whilst in his Merseyside Community Relations Council role he acted as a skilled mediator between the community and local authority chiefs during the 1981 Toxteth disturbances. He was identified as a community leader and later played a leading role in negotiating with the Thatcher government after the uprisings in Toxteth in 1981.

He remained active in community politics in Toxteth up until the present day and has vowed his community work will continue.

He said: “I am privileged to be from Toxteth and feel if there is anything I can give back I should.”

Wally is involved with numerous voluntary organisations in Liverpool including a governorship at the local Kingsley Primary School and also Granby Children’s Centre.

Amongst his other interests, he is a Non-Executive Director of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, a member of the Governing Council at Liverpool Hope University, and he is on the national body overseeing the quality and leadership in the Further Education Sector.

Wally has also served on a number of government advisory committees in the past, particularly in relation to Race and Education.

“A born and bred Scouser, Wally’s commitment to the provision of quality education has provided many opportunities for people across the city.”