Latest Alumni Updates
Connections: Duncan Knowles
"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."
Connections: Tanya Kempston
"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."
Connections: Rob Keeley
"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."
Connections: Phillip Howells
"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."
Connections: Michael Heath
"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."
Connections: Robert Harris
"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."
Connections: Mohamed Omar Hagi Mohamoud
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.
Connections: Tim Guile
"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."
Connections: Geoffrey Goodson
"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."
Connections: Massimo Ferri
"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."
Connections: Saachi Dhillon
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.
Connections: Zoe Dun
"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."
Connections: Iulia Costinescu
"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."
Connections: Kevin Corrigan
"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)."
Connections: Elizabeth Connolly
"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!"
Connections: Dr Jane Clark
"I am excited to announce that I have just published my third book on Astronomy in 2021."
Connections: Jessica Burns
"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."
Connections: Halima Bhayat
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.
Connections: James Bejjani
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.
Connections: Hong Chin Lim
"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."
Connections: Paula Barnes
"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."
Connections: George Argyropoulos
"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."
Connections: Mojtaba Ammari Allahyari
"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."
Connections: Mahmoud AlAli
"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."
Connections: Dr Dunya Ahmed
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.
Connections: Yemi Adeola
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.
Connections: Simon Proops
"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."
Alumni at Resonate
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: Experiences of an international student, GP and writer
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.
Connections: John Lloyd
"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."
Sam Steiner
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.
Anita Panchmatia
Bank of America, Global Markets Electronic Trading
Product development across Fixed Income, FX and Equities Electronic Trading businesses, globally.
Agraja Magesh
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.
Spotlight on: Professor Sudhesh Kumar
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.
Aishwarya Maurya
"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
Anyarat Nattheeraphong (PhD English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics, 2013) shortlisted for the UK Alumni Awards 2022 (Social Action) in Thailand.
British Council Study UK Alumni Awards: Elyanora Menglieva
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 CBE
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.
Titilayo Majekodunmi
"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."
Gauri Agrawal
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
Voices of the Alliance
Celebrating the Voices of the Alliance:
Anmol Malik: Author, Songwriter and Singer
Alumna and author, Anmol Malik speaks about how her experience of studying at Warwick inspired her love of film and writing.
Spotlight on: Robbie Chandler
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: from dissertation to published book
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.
Spotlight on: Last Mafuba
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.
International Women's Day
We are shining a light on the fantastic achievements of our alumnae.
World Book Day: Librarian Jane Burke
“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.
World Book Day Profile: Children’s author, Christy Kirkpatrick
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.
Spotlight on: Louise Hardy
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).
Warwick Connections: Kingsley Napley
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.
Interview with Bestselling Author Sarah Pearse
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.
Once Warwick, always Warwick
Hear from Warwick alumna and former professional services staff member, Charlotte Beesley (BA History and Sociology, 2014)
Profile - PGT alumnus William Harrop
Hear from recent PGT alumnus William Harrop (MA Global and Comparative History, 2022)
Help make a difference to Warwick graduates
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.
Alumna wins Study UK Alumni Awards Jordan 2021
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
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.
Lynda Thomas
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.
Connections: Mahir Gazdar
"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."
Winter Graduation 2022: Ben Brabyn
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
Winter Graduation 2022: Joan MacNaughton CB
"What you have to offer is precious."
The warmest of welcomes to the Warwick alumni community for all our Winter 2022 graduates from Chair of the Climate Group, Joan MacNaughton CB (BSc Physics, 1972)
Winter Graduation 2022: David Suarez Cuellar
'"I often regard resilience as a superpower." Congratulations to all our Winter 2022 graduates from business founder David Suarez Cuellar (MSc Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2020).
Winter Graduation 2022: Bisman Deu
Will you build windmills or walls? Women's rights advocate and panellist for UNICEF, Bisman Deu (BSc Economics, Politics and International Studies, 2019) shares her congratulations with our Winter 2022 graduate.
Winter Graduation 2022: Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft
'"Your fortitude when pursuing your goals in the face of such adversity is really inspirational."
Hear from our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Croft, as he congratulates all our Winter 2022 graduates and welcomes them into our global alumni community.
Recruitment for new PhD pandemic research scholarships
The new doctoral students will research the best ways for global leaders to respond to pandemics at The Institute for Global Pandemic PlanningLink opens in a new window (IGPP). The Institute combines world-class expertise in Mathematical Epidemiology, Public Health, and Behavioural Science. We are now recruiting our second cohort of students to start on an exciting four-year funded PhD programme in October 2022.
Voices of the Alliance - Dr Emily Pilkington
This year, we are celebrating 10-years of the Monash Warwick Alliance. As part of our Voices of the Alliance series, joint PhD graduate, Dr Emily Pilkington, shares her experience and highlights of the Alliance.
New Year’s Honours for Warwick community
Celebrating members of our community that have been named in the New Year's Honours List 2022.
Spotlight on: Dave Griffin
From science to finance, Dave Griffin (MChem Chemistry, 1999) explains how his time at Warwick opened his eyes to where a Chemistry degree could take him, and how today, he’s still using what he learned as a partner at Deloitte.
Lanaire Aderemi
Poet and playwright, Lanaire Aderemi tells us about her new podcast, Story Story. It currently ranks #1 in the History Category of Nigeria’s Apple Podcasts despite being produced in the UK.
Warwick Marathon Man Makes History
At the age of 74, Warwick MBA graduate Phillip Howells has entered the history books by completing an incredible 300 marathons and achieving the UK’s 100 Marathon Club ‘Triple Crown’ award.
Alumni volunteer hails global mentoring success
More than 450 students from top global institutions including the University of Warwick and Monash University, came together to provide innovative solutions to business challenges through the TeamWork mentoring programme. Over 60 Warwick alumni volunteered to act as mentors and provided projects to develop students’ intercultural awareness, communication and project management skills.
Ruth Adesanya
Warwick Scholar and student, Ruth Adesanya is studying at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, USA.
Warwick in Africa programme announces new Director
Professor Davies will provide strategic direction for the programme with a particular focus on monitoring and enhancing the impact the programme has on both our partners in Africa, and our Warwick staff and students volunteers.
Claire Ridgway
Claire studied for her BA QTS at Warwick, focusing on Religion and English Literature. She's now a well known historian and published author with 12 books under her belt, plus a popular Tudor history YouTube channel.
Natasha Boulding
Co-Founder and CEO of Sphera, Natasha Boulding (MChem Chemistry with Professional Experience, 2015) gives her advice on working in sustainability and her hopes for attending COP26 earlier this month.
Dr Phil O’Donovan
Dr Phil O’Donovan (BSc Electrical Engineering Science, 1971) is a successful entrepreneur and angel investor, providing support and financial backing for startups and other entrepreneurs.
How has the pandemic affected alumni in hospitality?
With the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic far from over for the hospitality sector worldwide, find out how two alumni, Ravi Nahappan (MSc Manufacturing Systems Engineering, 2005) and Edward Rudd (BSc Microbiology and Virology, 1994), have coped with the challenges, adapted their businesses, and made plans for the future.
Future Leader: Samuel Akpan
Listed in the 2020-2021 Top 150 Future Leaders List (Powerful Media), Samuel Akpan (BA Politics and International Studies, 2021) is now in freelance journalism with a focus on sports.
Future Leaders: Tiana Holgate
Having been named in the Top 150 Future Leaders list for 2020-21 by Powerful Media, Tiana Holgate (BA Sociology with Specialism in Race and Global Politics, 2021) is taking a different view on leadership.
Future Leaders: Daniel Nwanebu
Listed in the 2020-2021 Top 150 Future Leaders List (Powerful Media), Daniel Nwanebu (LLB, 2021) shares what he thinks makes a leader and why it's important to pass on opportunities to the next generation
Spotlight on: Jo Walker
Recent graduate Jo Walker (BA Theatre and Performance Studies, 2020) is busy producing original plays and short films with black female empowerment at her core.
Joe Richardson: Student, University of Oxford
Overall, I would recommend the MORSE degree to anyone who has both an interest in theoretical mathematics but is also curious to learn about its real world applications.
Tim Hargreaves: Student, University of Cambridge
If statistics is your calling, in my opinion, it's hard to think of a better place to be.
Spotlight on: Claudia Lussana
To celebrate European Day of Languages we asked our languages alumni to share their stories about Warwick and travels! Claudia Lussana (BA, Hispanic and Italian, 2017)
Future Leaders: Gold Oyelade
Despite only graduating this year, Gold’s already starting to shine with an appearance on the 2021 Powerful Media 150 Future Leaders List. She recently completed a successful summer internship at leading global independent investment bank, Evercore, through the 10,000 Black Interns programme, and has now secured a permanent analyst role. Read on to find out why the challenges of studying and graduating during the pandemic only made Gold (BA Sociology, 2021) more determined to succeed.
Brinda Gulati
Brinda Gulati is a writer and founder of Instagram shop @ThriftyBrinda. Her extensive scope of writing includes opinion pieces for the Kashmir Times, Jammu, freelance projects and now her first novel.
Yash Lohia
Warwick alumnus Yash Lohia (BEng Engineering Business Management, 2009) is Chief Sustainability Officer of Indorama Ventures based in Bangkok, Thailand, having joined the family business in 2013.
Spotlight on: Alistair Rogers
Warwick alumnus Alistair Rogers (BSc MORSE, 2016) is a Senior Data Scientist at LV=, one of the UK’s largest insurance companies. Find out about Alistair’s time at Warwick, his advice for students and recent graduates who want to work in the ever-expanding field of Data Science, and his plans for the future.
Spotlight on: Richard Small
After spending much of his career in supply chain management, Richard Small (MBA, 2002) decided to go-it-alone and start his own business in 2017.
Nanette Yu: Student at London School of Economics (LSE)
The course has smart and self-driven peers to work with and world-class academics to learn from.
Krupa Raikundlia: JP Morgan Equity Derivatives Off-cycle Analyst
Doing this degree has enriched my analytical and problem-solving skills and given me the quantitative foundations for a career in trading.
Theatre and Performance Studies Student Prizes for 2021
2020/21 has been a particularly challenging year, and we are so proud of all of our students who have made it through this year - particularly those who are graduating.
In particular, we are delighted to mark the contributions and successes of this year’s winners of the Theatre and Performance Studies prizes
Humanitarian Engineering Graduates
We want to highlight some of the fantastic work Warwick Humanitarian Engineering graduates are doing to provide support and assistance to those in need.
Professor Robert McGee
Professor Robert McGee completed his PhD in Industrial and Business Studies at the University of Warwick in 1986. Since leaving Warwick, Professor McGee has led a successful career in accountancy and academia. Most recently, at the age of 74, Robert won six gold and two silver medals at the Taekwondo World Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. Discover his inspiring story
Mentoring Tips
Alumnus Justin Onuekwusi (BSc Economics 2000-2003) is Head of Retail Multi-Asset Funds at Legal & General Investment Management. He shares his top five tips on mentoring
Alumni Interview: Dr Andy Palmer CMG
Dr Andy Palmer CMG (Manufacturing Systems Engineering [IGDS], 1990), is an alumnus of WMG and one of the leading and most respected figures in the UK automotive sector. He has had a glittering career at the top of some of the world’s biggest and best-known automobile manufacturers, including Nissan and Aston Martin.
Spotlight on: Gulcan Telci
Meet Gulcan Telci (MBA, 2014) - one of our Warwick Alumni Ambassadors in the USA.
Warwick Arts Centre completes £25.5 million transformation
Warwick Arts Centre has now officially completed its four year long £25.5 million transformational redevelopment and has begun the 100 day countdown to prepare for its new full season of arts events on 1st October 2021.
New 48+ hectare public eco park plan announced for campus
The University of Warwick has submitted a proposal to create a huge new 48+ hectare public eco park on the south side of its campus for consideration in the South Warwickshire Local Plan. The new eco park will help support and develop an even more sustainable future for the campus, its students and staff, and its surrounding communities.
University of Warwick Apprenticeships
If you like the idea of earning while your learn, an apprenticeship could be the perfect opportunity for you to gain experience as well as a qualification to start your career.
From biology student to all that jazz
He’s toured all over the world and released his first album earlier this year, but it was James Hudson’s time at Warwick that inspired him to become a professional jazz singer. Although he studied Biological Sciences, James credits his involvement in societies such as Musical Theatre Warwick and Warwick Big Band for shaping his career.