He was also the First Chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, serving in office from 1992 until his death in 1993.

Catherine (Kate) Cotton had one daughter, Natalie Psillou.

Henry Cotton was also in the Royal Artillery (Territorial Army) where he gained the rank of Lieutenant.

The institution however goes as far back as 1823 to its foundation as the Liverpool Mechanics' School of Arts, entitling it to make a claim in the third-oldest university in England debate.

A statue of Henry Cotton inscribed "Henry Egerton Cotton Esq, (1929-1993) LL.D, JP, First Chancellor of the University, 1992-1993" has been erected outside the Henry Cotton Building named in his honour, on the university's City Campus in Liverpool.