Latest Alumni Updates

After a career in journalism where she launched The Sunday Times Short Story Award, Cathy Galvin (MA Writing, 2015) came to Warwick to explore her interest in short stories and discovered a love of poetry. She now helps other authors through her company, Word Factory.

Alumnus Wayne Snow (BSc MORSE, 1994 and Chief Risk Officer) and his husband Allister Dennis (BEng Engineering (Mechanical), 1994 and Product Manager Electrification and Advanced Power Systems) are passionate about social inclusion and changing people’s lives by breaking down barriers to accessing a university education. Explore their views on STEM inclusion and what motivates them to give to Warwick.

Former trade union activist and political advisor Nita Clarke OBE (BA History and Politics, 1974, MA Comparative Labour History, 1977) had her first experience of public speaking and activism at Warwick. Nita was awarded an OBE for her services to employee engagement and remains a prominent speaker on the subject.

Now working for IBM, Khaled still misses his workshops and study groups from Warwick.

Jinsong now works as Compliance Risk Control Director and Board Secretary at a PE fund Ever State Capital in Shenzhen, China.

Her studies at WBS and interactions with global students led Violeta to start her own company

Savia met Sacha Wyszegrodzki at Warwick and got married seven years later in Brussels.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury during his time at Warwick, Hon Win Woon is now working for Roche as an IT Analyst.

Carol Anne was in the first 3 year training course to go through Canley in the 1960s.

Ken Wharton has written 13 books in which he chronicled the troubles in Northern Ireland from 1969-98.

Over his IT career, Malcolm has held senior IT roles in leading UK and global financial and legal organisations.

"I am an ordinary office worker in a business development position. I spend time working, travelling, reading, doing sports, photographing and listening to songs and podcasts."

Yu learned from Warwick how to brand himself.

Ivan is currently working as an Agile Coach and has discovered a passion for martial arts.

"I never dreamed, coming from a working class background, and the depths of darkest Coventry, that I’d ever be accepted into university."

"Warwick as I read years back is a centre for Excellence in Creativity and a perfect educational hub.

Being there to learn the art of ART/IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) was total ecstasy. The IVF Unit and the teaching faculty were top-level and they were kind enough to transfer the valuable knowledge to deserving students without any quid pro quo. Presently my practice of ART/IVF at Mothercare Hospital, Pune India has grown, not because of my strength, but the tips that I cultivated at Warwick. Thank you."

"I am extremely grateful for the teaching I received at Warwick. Thank you to Geraldine Hartshorne, Rina Agarwal, Sue Montgomery and Sarah Drury. I have been doing great, the course was very helpful. I have since referred doctors from India to this course."

Alicia’s book offers lessons for coping with issues of divorce, bereavement, career change, study changes, and more.

"I am an entrepreneur, best-selling author, qualified lawyer, career coach and commercial/creative consultant.

Before university, I was a full-time musician for a number of years, but after our singer quit, I joined Warwick to study Law & Business. I really enjoyed my degree, from the social aspects and my time running societies, to the broad mix of modules that I was able to study."

A theatre graduate who ended up becoming a chartered accountant with Big Four firm E&Y in London.

John Mason, Paul Sullivan, and Mark Rogerson performed in a rock band along with two fellow students known as "The Interviewees”.

It was Frisbee that drew Derek to Warwick. The University Frisbee Club started in 1976 and must be one of the oldest clubs in Europe.

Learn about Eloise's experience studying Physics at the University of Warwick and her life after graduation.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the University of Warwick. I grew up in a small village in the countryside where I didn’t have the opportunity to meet people from different cultures, backgrounds, or other countries. Warwick has a strong international student base and I learnt a lot from meeting people from all walks of life and seeing the world outside of my sleepy Gloucestershire village!"

Philanthropist Doug Miller, who with his wife Audrey founded the Multicultural Scholars Programme here at Warwick, has created a global venture philanthropy network with more than 1,000 members and 100 team members across four continents.

Over the last 4 years after graduation from the University of Warwick in 2017, Nak has been actively volunteering his personal time apart from his full-time professional work to share his expertise and experiences through various mentorship programs and activities to support young women in Asia. Apart from being a mentor, he has a strong passion in volunteering and supporting STEM Education in Cambodia as a robotic trainer, a judge for various STEM and Robotic competitions, Chief STEM Project Supervisor. He is also a member of Southeast Asia Research Academy.

"I have not had a career. I’ve simply had a long list of fascinating projects."

At 26, Sharon Plant was the youngest independent gallery owner in the country. She went on to become an art consultant; interviewing prominent creative figures, including Yoko Ono. She helped launch and direct the New Designers exhibition and was Festival Coordinator for the inaugural London Design Festival.

She is a painter, jazz musician and novelist. She looks back at her working life and shows how a career doesn't have to follow a traditional path.

Stu went his own way after graduating, opting to teach English as a foreign language for many happy and interesting years.

"My favourite memories of Warwick include One World Week where I participated in cultural dance events on stage. I remember performing three dances, which were all from different parts of India. As a British Indian this was a proud moment as I celebrated along with thousands of other students the diverse culture and background that make up Warwick University. The event represented students from across the world and celebrated the One World in which we live in today."

Neil remembers being a programme engineer on Warwick's radio station in the 1970s when it was based in ‘The Shed’ next to Rootes D Block. His job was to have everything ready for the radio presenter. On one occasion, the presenter for a pop music programme never showed up, so he had to go on instead when he had to scramble between the studio and the storage cabinet to find a new song to play before the one I had just launched was over.

"I studied at Warwick more than 20 years ago but I still keep in touch with flatmates at Claycroft. It was so impressive, enjoyable and also a hard time during my life."

"I miss the creative atmosphere of Warwick campus, that feeling that something big in going on in this place. This inner talk that pushed me inside to be as good as possible in order to be part of this ''big'' going on."

"I arrived at Warwick in 1989 and immediately joined the Caving Club (my uni choices were based solely on whether there was a good Caving Club). I also joined the Climbing Club, which was one of the major turning points of my life."

Calum is a political media writer and entrepreneur, setting up a youth-orientated media company, The Speaker, in 2018, seeking to inspire the next generation in politics. Part of his work for The Speaker, has also seen Calum and his co-director write a book, 2020 As It Happened, which was published in early 2021 and looks back at the major stories of the previous year and some of the more bizarre news stories that we might have forgotten.

"I started studying martial arts at age 65. Now, eight years later, I have black belts in eight martial arts and am a World Champion in taekwondo (sparring, forms & weapons), karate (sparring, 2017, 2018, 2019), kung fu (forms & weapons), Yang Style Tai Chi (forms & weapons), Sun Style Tai Chi (forms & weapons) and qigong (forms). My career gold medal count is 500+, hopefully with more to come."

"I am entrepreneur from Mumbai, India. I have recently switched gears in my life to become an author.

During the COVID-19 lockdown, I wrote my first, fast-paced, reality-based fictional thriller called ‘Lynchpin: The Best Laid Schemes of Mice and Men.'"

"I think I was the first student Entertainment Secretary at Warwick. I helped to get the student discos off to a flying start with many top bands at the time, such as Cream, Pink Floyd and many others performing there."

"After graduating, I spent two years at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and then the next two years working (and resting) as a professional actor. In 1983 I started teaching English at The King's School in Worcester, staying there for my entire career until retirement in 2018. I was a housemaster for 21 of those 35 years and was involved in school sport and especially school drama, directing nearly 50 productions. I completed an MA at The Shakespeare Institute in 2012. I married Sarah in 1984 and we have two daughters, one a teacher and the other a lawyer."

"I started at Warwick in 2014, and a quick four years later, I graduated as a Master of Mathematics. While my degree was in pure and applied Mathematics, I knew that I always wanted to go into tech after I graduated. A lot of my friends were looking for jobs in finance, but I knew that wasn’t for me. I heard about an event that TPP were running at the University with a speaker that I was interested in going to see. I went along to see the speaker, make the most of the free food, and learn a bit more about TPP."

After graduation, Nat worked in the finance and legal industry. She then founded Mochy Group (STEM specialist that provides kids workshop services and designs educational toys) and OhMyClass (course finding tech platform that connects teaching providers with learners). Being nominated for AmCham Women of Influence Awards (Leading Woman in STEM), her go-to motto is 'try and fail, but never fail to try'!

"I have recently written a book on commercial banking, "Banking Matters: An essential guide to commercial banking in an age of disruption".

The book provides an overview of commercial banking and the role that banks play in the economy, and would be useful for anyone starting a career in banking, hoping to challenge incumbent banks, or providing services to banks. It briefly reached #1 for banking books on Amazon in the UK, and was #2 in terms of ratings for such books. It has been publicly endorsed (on LinkedIn) by senior bank executives as a useful resource."

"I left Warwick in 1982 and took up a career in teaching. After a couple of years in Basingstoke, I became a Head of Department in a school in Nuneaton. After six years in this job and a promotion, I was headhunted to become a senior teacher at the prestigious City Technology College in Kingshurst. During this time I was directly involved in writing sections of the then new National Curriculum."

"I am now a Lecturer in the Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong. I recently received my Faculty’s Emergency Remote Teaching Award for my work in 2019-20 - the first time this Award has been given. One thing the Panel though especially worthy of mention was a project I set up in May 2020 called Hear This! A Festival of Radio Drama on Zoom."

"Having published several novels, short stories and picture books for children, I have just published my first novel for adults, Death at Friar's Inn, in eBook! I'm hoping a paperback will follow."

"I am MBA graduate of the 1990s and at the age of 74 I completed my 300th marathon and the earned rare achievement of the UK’s 100 Marathon Club ‘Triple Crown’ award. I started my marathon adventure over 40 years ago when I set myself the goal of completing two marathons during my thirties. After a huge life change when my wife sadly passed away, I returned to running. Despite several set-backs along the way, I have run 9,192 miles during 100 road marathons, 100 trail marathons and 100 ultra-marathons."

"Absolutely irreplaceable memories from all four years at Warwick, start to finish.

Fantastic experiences with amazing people that I will treasure forever, cumulating in meeting my future wife (Rebecca Jones, PGCE 2003) in our shared accommodation whilst both training at Warwick to become teachers."

"I have recently retired from a rare career, designing the acoustics of international opera houses, concert halls and theatres.

This has traceable routes to my time at Warwick, lighting student plays in Benefactors Hall and then the (new) Warwick Arts Centre, running the disco on the roof of the Senate building during the 1975 occupation, doing a noise-related summer placement and a project on the physics of concert halls."

Mohamed is a Somali diplomat, politician and academic currently serving as the Chief Representative of the Republic of Somaliland Representative Office in Taiwan. Mohamed combines considerable distinctive feats of being a professional person with extensive experience in the various fields of diplomacy, academia, policymaking programmes, and strategic governance systems.

"After a working life teaching, I have turned my attention to research and writing about the late medieval/early modern period of history. I founded a Facebook page and group called British Medieval Christian Tradition."

"I was born in South Africa, although all my education was in the UK, having attended Winchmore Hill Secondary Modern and Southgate Technical College in North London prior to a bachelor’s degree at Hull University."

"My year at Warwick gave me a fantastic boost of my research in Algebraic Topology. Moreover the teaching of Colin Rourke and of Sir Christopher Zeeman were the keystone for my way of teaching once back in Italy."

"I studied Film and Literature at Warwick from 2004-2007 and I have to say it truly was one of the best experiences in terms of setting me up for my future career. I lived at Whitefields and was the girl who took photos and videos of every night out or night in and suddenly realised I should do something with all the media and memories I was acquiring. After my very first term, over the Christmas break, I decided to edit together a short movie with all the material I had shot - just for my housemates - and everyone loved it, so I carried on doing it each term."

Saachi is a marketing communications professional with 11 years' work experience across both MNCs and start-ups in the UK and India. She started her career in London and currently leads brand marketing for the National Geographic network, part of The Walt Disney Company in India.

"My two Masters years at Warwick passed so quickly, but I have many fond memories from them and I reminisce often of my classmates, the seminars, evening drinks at Fusion, the yummy treats and hot drinks at Curiositea, and the campus in general, where I’d spend many walks around and never get bored."

"I have many memories from my too-quickly-passed years at Warwick.

I played in the 1st X1 football team, was Athletics Union Chairman and was many times 'tired and emotional' in the AU bar celebrating wins (draws and losses as well)."

"Delighted to say I am still in touch with some very valued friends I met during my first few days at Warwick. I miss Rootes Hall bar most, as that is where I spent a great deal of my time during my first two years there!"

"I am excited to announce that I have just published my third book on Astronomy in 2021."

"I started a podcast called I Can Relate with Jessica Burns, the intention is to help others feel less alone in what they are going through and to understand what it’s like to walk in the shoes of others."

With a background in Computer Science (a degree at Coventry University, PGCE teacher training at Warwick and Masters in Leading Innovation and Change at St Mary's University, Twickenham), alongside her experience working with international schools, Halima joined the Ursuline High School as Director of Digital Learning and Head of Computing, where she has continued to share her passion for technology and encouraging a diverse range of girls to study and pursue careers in computing.

After Warwick, James moved to the Big Apple to start his career on Wall Street in 2004. Eighteen years later, he is a Senior Partner at a Multi Family Office in Zurich focusing on Quantamental investing across several asset classes. James misses great Friday nights at the Students’ Union and his walks on Campus between the Business School and the Maths Institute.

"Currently employed as Managing Director at Harrisons Sarawak SB (staff strength more than 500).

When I was at Warwick, tutorial classes were weekly and comprised a lecturer with five or six students."

"Loved the chance to network with such a high standard of international learners from all professions. It gave me a deep interest in the various cultures around the world. The standard of lecturing and guest speakers was something that I learned a lot from. I'm very proud of my Warwick MBA."

"After more than 20 years of working with Multinational CPG companies, I've launched PRAXIS121, my own consulting business. I specialise in Commercial and offer solutions for Category Development, Channel Strategy and Capability Development."

"Doing a PhD at Warwick University has significantly changed my life. Finding friends from more than fifty different countries across the globe which we are still in touch was a unique opportunity that I could never achieve anywhere else in the world."

"What I really miss is the campus. I have had a wonderful time there walking around and feeding the ducks. Wandering in the nearby woods is also something I liked most; in the evening I used to attend movies and events at the theatre."

Dr Dunya Abdulla Ahmed is now Assistant Professor and Lecturer in the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Bahrain & Strategic Planning & Development Adviser in Supreme Council for Women.

Yemi is a Legal-Tech Intrapreneur and Future Trainee Solicitor at Clifford Chance. He founded a social enterprise called Project Access (PA) Midlands, which fights inequalities in higher education by widening access to top UK universities for untraditional students, through a tech-enabled mentorship platform. He has been identified by Google as a Top Black Talent and by UNDP as an SDG Global Talent.

"I recently participated in the migration of the Ontario Consent and Capacity Board from in-person to online, virtual operations. I miss the coffee mornings with the other students on the course."

Some fantastic alumni speakers will be giving talks at the Resonate Festival to mark the end of Coventry City of Culture. Take a look at what's on offer!

Dr Afiniki Akanet (MBChB Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery, 2012; PGA Understanding Childhood, 2014) is a General Practitioner (GP) specialising in mental health based in Coventry. Uncover Afiniki’s journey as an international student, her devotion to improving mental health in the community and the motivations behind her love of writing.

"Warwick was where I met my wife. She was in the MBA group a year in front of me. We both went to work in South Africa shortly after finishing the course and wrote our dissertations whilst living there. I based my dissertation on the work I was doing in SA - establishing the Marketing concept of driving experiences as a way of building and promoting a brand profile."

From working in a fish and chip shop to writing a play that’s been performed all over the world, Sam Steiner (English Literature , 2014) learned at Warwick how to take his stories in new directions. Most recently, he’s penned the script for Morning, a film starring Laura Dern and Benedict Cumberbatch set for release later this year. We spoke to Sam about his experience of breaking into playwriting for stage and screen.

Bank of America, Global Markets Electronic Trading

Product development across Fixed Income, FX and Equities Electronic Trading businesses, globally.

I run the new product division (right hand of the CEO) at Lonestar Industries, India's largest Metal Expansion Joint manufacturer. I am also pursuing my Doctorate in Industrial Engineering Technology at Purdue University. With my study, I hope to help contribute to the manufacturing space in India and aid small and medium enterprises in the country. During the pandemic, I was able to help aid the families of our female and male employees equally. I hope to make this EPC/ manufacturing space more inclusive and safe for all.

Professor Sudhesh Kumar is Dean of Warwick Medical School (WMS) and a clinical endocrinologist by background (treating diseases related to hormone problems). He also has several other external roles in the NHS. Sudhesh is passionate about supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue a medical career.

"Every person has to face that moment in life when certain decisions have to be made as they have vast implications. It is in this context that after much deliberation and introspection, I decided to pursue my Masters in Global Media and Communication."

Anyarat Nattheeraphong (PhD English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 2013) shortlisted for the UK Alumni Awards 2022 (Social Action) in Thailand.

An advocate for teaching and children’s literacy, Elyanora Menglieva (MA TESOL, 2019) was a 2022 Uzbekistan national finalist in the British Council Study UK Alumni Awards (Social Action category) and was awarded ‘Ambassadors’s Choice’.

Susan Douglas (BA Qualified Teacher Status, 1987-1991) was awarded a CBE for her services to Education in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours list. She shares her memories of why her time at Warwick was ‘life-changing’, and why being an educator is the greatest privilege of all.

"Last month, I published my first Children's book titled Durotimi the Champion written to inspire children to become whoever they choose and that all roles are available to them."

Congratulations to Finance & Economics graduate, Gauri Agrawal for winning a British Council Study UK Alumni Award (India) for Social Action. Gauri empowers Indian women with her craft brand, Sihori that helps turn waste into high fashion

Celebrating the Voices of the Alliance:

Alex Blades

Emily Pilkington

Godgift Emesi

Hannah Abdel-Hadi

Lewis Mitchell

Shanita Jetha

Alumna and author, Anmol Malik speaks about how her experience of studying at Warwick inspired her love of film and writing.

With a personal passion for community health, Robbie Chandler (BSc Psychology, 2019) is Health Manager at Coventry City Football Club’s charity arm, Sky Blues in the Community. Alongside some tips for standing out from the crowd, discover how his time at Warwick helped Robbie to fulfil his drive to help others and support local communities in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Ella McLeod’s debut novel Rapunzella, Or, Don't Touch My Hair started life as a poem written during her studies at Warwick. We asked Ella (BA English and Theatre Studies, 2017) how she was inspired to evolve the idea from its beginnings to her dissertation and now, her first book.

Inspired to create change in the refugee community, Last Mafuba (BSc Psychology, 2015; LLM International Development Law and Human Rights, 2016) created the Inini Initiative. Inini provides a safe space for refugees to build relationships and find out about mental health and other support services available.

We are shining a light on the fantastic achievements of our alumnae.

“World Book Day is about literacy and its place in a modern, equal society.” So believes Jane Burke (BA History, 1975), whose career has fuelled a passion to promote the joy of reading and access to books for all.

Children’s author Christy Kirkpatrick (BA Philosophy and Literature, 1995) has worked with a number of publishers, including BBC Worldwide, Ladybird and Flying Eye Books. We chatted with her on World Book Day about her career, her advice to budding authors and her co-authored book that uses relaxation techniques to help with bedtime.

From the London 2012 Olympic Park to the High Speed One (HS1) railway and more, Louise Hardy (BSc Engineering (Civil), 1988) has worked on many high profile and internationally renowned construction projects during her career. She was named in the Financial Times’ Top 100 Women of Influence in Engineering and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Women in Construction and Engineering awards in 2019. In November 2021, Louise was the judges’ choice for the ‘Overall Business Woman of the Year’ at the National Business Women’s Awards (NBWA).

With more than 260,000 Warwick alumni around the world, you are never too far away from a Warwick connection. Kingsley Napley, a leading London law firm, has three Warwick graduates at its helm, sitting on the firm’s eight-strong board.

Having written from a young age, bestselling author Sarah Pearse chose to study English and Creative Writing at Warwick, giving her a safe and supportive space in which to pursue her passion. We spoke to Sarah in between a book tour for her debut novel The Sanatorium and editing her next thriller The Retreat.

Hear from Warwick alumna and former professional services staff member, Charlotte Beesley (BA History and Sociology, 2014)

Hear from recent PGT alumnus William Harrop (MA Global and Comparative History, 2022)

Calling all international alumni!

As a Warwick alumnus, we are asking for your help to share your internship and graduate employment opportunities with Warwick students and graduates. You can help us by introducing us to your organisation’s Human Resources Director and by sharing this web link about how our free services to support your organisation’s graduate recruitment needs: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/careers/employers/international/

Or if you have your own organisation, we would be delighted to talk with you about promoting your internship and graduate roles to students here at Warwick. Help us to make a difference to Warwick students and their career.

Congratulations to alumna, Noor Abu-Jbara (MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2019) who was a winner of the Study UK Alumni Awards Jordan 2021.

Laura Walker McDonald (LLM International Development Law and Human Rights, 2006) has dedicated her career to helping others through her work in humanitarian and international aid. Now working for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Laura looks at how technology can have both a positive and negative impact on wellbeing across the globe.

Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Lynda Thomas, began her career in marketing and PR before making the transition into the third sector by volunteering for a children’s charity. Since then, Lynda (BA Psychology, 1986), has dedicated her professional career to helping others.

"I have published up to 10 books for different genres including my latest book, which is a memoir about my experiences following a road traffic accident at the age of 6 that broke off a large portion of my skull."

Former Royal Marine Commando and brain tumour survivor, Ben Brabyn (MBA, 2002) congratulates our Winter 2022 graduates, and shares three simple pieces of advice for staying resilient in the face of adversity