Warwick Alumni and Friends

Summer graduation season comes to an end today, and we were delighted to welcome our 20th and final speaker Dr Graham H***e OBE (Engineering Business Management [IGDS], 1993).

Graham delivered an inspiring speech that left our graduates feeling motivated and empowered: “As you step into this new chapter of your lives, carry these lessons with you. Believe in yourselves, embrace opportunities, and never underestimate the power of collaboration. Congratulations, Class of 2024. The world is waiting for your brilliance.”

We couldn’t agree more! Congratulations to all Summer 2024 graduates and welcome to your alumni community like no other!

And just like that we have come to the final day of graduations Summer 2024, and what incredible alumni speakers we welcomed back today!

First up, Joe Wee (BSc Computer Science, 1996) who is now CEO & Director of Tyga.Cloud and SPLACE.WORLD took to the stage to inspire our alumni, and received a double round of applause for his impactful speech.

From humble beginnings to global success, Joe reminded our graduands that "Disruption and innovation goes hand in hand" and that each of them leaves Warwick "with an enriched set of skills to make a change".

"What you’ve achieved at Warwick has not put you in a box, and you don’t have to be what you think you should be right now."

Innovator and entrepreneur John Hammersley (MPhys Mathematics and Physics, 2004) never thought his degree would lead him on the career path he has taken so far. He is currently Co-Founder of Overleaf, the cloud-based, collaborative writing and work platform for scientific documents that has over 16M users worldwide. He was also this afternoon's graduation speaker.

"You are now part of a new super group – the alumni of Warwick – and that really does mean something."

Welcome back alumna and VP Head Regulatory Affairs, Blue Earth Diagnostics Dr Helen Barker (BSc Microbiology and Microbial Technology, 1993) who delivered this morning's graduation speech.

'You are, after all, the main character in your own story. You might not always be able to control the narrative. But you can decide who your character will be - your values, your decisions, the characters around you.'

Completing our winning line-up of inspiring alumni speakers today is Equity & Inclusion Director, Brentford FC , Kaammini Chanrai (BA PPE, 2013).

Graduation will be a game of two halves today - both brilliant - as we kick off Wednesday with not one, but two incredible alumnae who have had a huge impact in the world of football.

Kelly Simmons OBE (BA Sociology with Social Policy, 1990) may not have achieved her dream of becoming number 7 for Liverpool FC, but she did go on to become FA Director of the Women’s Professional Game and now a Sports Consultant.

Today's ceremonies celebrated students graduating with the School of Economics, and we were delighted to welcome back two esteemed alumni to deliver today's graduation speeches.

This morning Martin Li (BSc Economics, 2017) told graduands to "get ready for your world to change, don't be scared to change and keep in touch with your network."

Caroline Escott (BSc EPais, 2006) spoke of the lessons she learnt at Warwick and the "power of simply showing up". She urged graduands to "make the most of their Warwick degree" and let it lead "you down paths you never thought you’d travel – but that you’re so glad you have."

What advice would you give your younger self if you were graduating today?🎓🤩

It was an utter privilege to welcome Attal Shams (BA Social Studies, 2016; MA International Relations, 2018) to the stage at this afternoon's graduation.

After a journey of conflict, displacement, and resilience led him to seek asylum in the UK, Attal is living proof of how to use your experiences and perceived obstacles and turn them into opportunities to help yourself and others.

He reminded graduands to "hold dear the values of democracy, compassion, and tolerance—principles that are deeply woven into the fabric of Warwick's philosophy and British society."

You can read Attal's story here: https://warwick.ac.uk/alumni/alumni-news/news/a_journey_to

We kicked off the second week of graduations by welcoming Freddie Betley (BASC Sociology and Global Sustainable Development, 2019) back to deliver this morning's alumni graduation speech.

Having graduated five years ago as part of the first cohort of Global Sustainable Development from University of Warwick, Freddie highlighted the impact the faculty had had on him:

"This faculty planted a seed in me, and the seed is inside of all of you too. If you nurture it, it will grow and spread to your friends and family and throughout your workplace and all of the communities that you hold dear. For me, it’s a seed of hope and awareness."

And just like that, we are halfway through our graduations fortnight.

We ended week one on a high with two fantastic alumni speakers taking to the stage at today's ceremonies.

This morning Kate Davidson MBE (MBA, 2020) told our University of Warwick graduands that without her time here she would not be where she is today. Recently awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Years Honours for services to bereaved people during Covid-19, Kate is CEO at Dignity - one of the UK’s largest bereavement services and end-of-life care providers.

This afternoon's speaker was John Curtis (BA (QTS), 1991) who reminded graduates that Warwick is "a University like no other and one that maintains a wonderful reputation throughout the UK and around the world."

John is now a barrister and In-House Counsel with the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) where his work covers the investigation of potential miscarriages of justice in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

We'd like to send a huge thank you to all our alumni speakers from week one of graduations...what a brilliant group of people you are.

We are delighted that Professor Richard Wilding OBE (PhD Engineering, 1998) came back to campus today to deliver this afternoon's incredible alumni speech, where he encouraged graduands to seek wisdom, embrace failure and get sharp.

Richard is recognised as one of the world’s foremost supply chain experts and has received multiple awards for his work.

Describing himself as University of Warwick and WMG through and through, Richard (and his family) have had a long working and academic history with us. It was an honour to welcome him back.

Deputy Editor for Nature Medicine, Dr Liam Messin (BSc Biochemistry, 2012; MSc Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, 2013; PhD Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research, 2017), was our alumni graduation speaker this morning.

Before heading into the ceremony to deliver his speech, we spoke to to Liam about his favourite memories from University of Warwick and the importance and joy of staying connected to your fellow Warwick alumni.

Do you still meet up with your Warwick contemporaries? Comment below. 🥰

5 years to the day of his first graduation at University of Warwick, we welcomed Nathan Moore (BSc Management, 2019) back to campus for this afternoon's alumni speech.

Nathan was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 and 2022, before making the coveted Forbes 30 under 30 list in 2023. He has returned to Warwick every year since graduating to deliver lectures on raising investment for start-ups.

Accompanying Nathan was his fiancée, and fellow Warwick alumni, Sofia Goldspink ((BSc Management, 2019). They will be celebrating their wedding at The Shard next year, but in the meantime they returned to campus to inspire the next generation of graduates and relive some memories. 🥰

It's day three of summer graduations and the sun has finally decided to shine! 😎

We welcomed a wonderful alumna, Jessica Rasmussen (BSc Management Sciences, 1989), to deliver the alumni speech to our graduands this morning.

Now Co-Founder & CEO, Two Magnolias Venture Capital , Jessica delivered a heartfelt, impactful, and inspirational speech to the audience and encouraged them all to stay connected to one another and the University of Warwick.

We'll be releasing all of the incredible alumni speeches on our YouTube channel over the coming weeks.

Fresh from 15 days non-stop coverage of Wimbledon, our brilliant alumni speaker this afternoon is Chetan Pathak (BA English and Theatre Studies, 2005).

Having spent the last 20 years working as a sports anchor and broadcast journalist, you've probably seen Chetan taking the sporting reins on BBC One Breakfast, BBC News at Six and BBC News at Ten.

It's always wonderful to welcome our alumni back to campus to hear their memories - how Warwick TV set Chetan on his career course - and show them how campus has changed, but still feels very much like the University of Warwick they know and love.

Day two of graduation and we've welcomed a literary superstar to deliver the alumni speech at this morning.

A distinguished writer for both adults and children, Anne Fine (BA History 1968; Hon DLitt, 2005) has written countless books and received numerous awards and accolades for her work.

Anne was the first in her family to go to university, and she was part of the very first cohort of students to graduate from the University of Warwick. It was an honour to invite her back to campus and hear her speech.

The University of Warwick kicked of Summer graduations 2024 in a flurry of celebration today. 🎓

We welcomed back two of our esteemed alumni to deliver the inspirational graduation speeches to our graduands:

Dr Benjamin Hamilton (BSc Mathematics, 2009; MSc Systems Biology, 2010; PhD Systems Biology, 2014) is a conductor and music educator. Ben started his career under the guidance of Paul McGrath, Director of Music at University of Warwick and, after conducting his first opera on his own graduation day, Ben has gone on to have a successful career bringing musical experiences to the masses.

Dr Azzedine Dabo (MSc Analytical Science, 2013; PhD Chemistry, 2019) is the recent recipient of Black British Business Award STEM Rising Star and works as an Investigator at GSK. He also developed the ‘Future Scientists: Diversifying Pharma’ programme which enabled 19 students from ethnic minority backgrounds to get laboratory experience at GSK.

The alumni comms team will be out and about all through graduation interviewing our incredible alumni speakers, so look out for content on social media and in upcoming newsletters.
🤩

A trio of Warwick alumni, and two current University of Warwick students, will be going for gold at the upcoming Paris Games.

Kare Adenegan (BA History, 2022) and Tom Hall (MChem Chemistry, 2013 and PhD Chemistry, 2018) will both be representing GB in their specialisms of wheelchair racing and archery, respectively.

Alumna Noor Slaoui (BA Politics and International Studies, 2017) is the only Arab athlete qualified to ride in eventing at the Games and the first Moroccan rider to compete internationally in the sport.

Plus Warwick students Joshua Bruyns who is competing in Speed Climbing for South Africa and Lubjana Piovesana competing in Judo for Austria.

We wish every one of you all the luck in the world for your events in this year’s Olympics and Paralympics.🥇

Read more:
https://warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/meet_the_athletes
📸shows our alumni athletes - (l-r) Kare, Tom and Noor.

🌟We are delighted to announce that twelve University of Warwick alumni have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in the recent King’s Birthday Honours.

Each has been celebrated and honoured for their tireless work and commitment, as well as the incredible impact they have on the world around them.

Including (from left to right below) Alex Jennings CBE (BA English and Theatre Studies, 1978 / Hon DLitt, 1999), Elizabeth Hambley CBE (LLB Law, 1991), and Gregor McGill CBE (LLB Law, 1984)

Read more:

Where would you advise our 2024 graduands have their photo taken?

Let us know in the comments below! 😊📸🎓

Are you looking for the perfect place to take your graduation photos? 🎓

Here are some of our students' favourite spots:
💜 triangular porch of the NAIC
💜 FAB staircase
💜 the pond by WMG
💜 in front of the Oculus
💜 Tocil Woods
💜 Heronbank
💜 the Piazza
💜 Lakeside.

Where would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments 💬

Please join us in congratulating Tom Hall (MChem Chemistry, 2013 and PhD Chemistry, 2018) who has qualified for this year's Olympics and will be representing Team GB in archery this summer.

Tom took up the sport whilst studying at University of Warwick.

We wish him a host of luck for Paris 2024.

Team GB at Paris Olympics: Who are the British athletes to watch at the 2024 Games? Great Britain will be aiming to continue their recent Olympic success at the first summer Games in Europe since London 2012

Huge congratulations to alumna Paula Deas (Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Leadership and Management, 2007), on receiving an MBE for services to the West Midlands community. 🤩

Congratulations to alumna Paula Deas (Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Leadership and Management, 2007), who has been awarded an MBE for services to the West Midlands community 🎉

A Coventry girl born and bred, Paula is an enthusiastic champion of the city “which feels like a town” and adept at promoting the region’s automotive and digital expertise, and its other assets – from energy innovation hubs through to universities.

She received her medal from HRH The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle in May.

Read more ⬇️
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/news/alumni-paula-deas-mbe/

It's almost July and that can only mean one thing in the University calendar...graduation!🎓🌟
It's a month of celebration and we'd love to involve our incredible alumni community (that's you!) as we congratulate our upcoming graduands.
This we'd love for you to share your graduation images from over the years, in the comments below, and help us reminisce across our University of Warwick social media channels too!🌟🎓

Are you new to consulting and entering the industry, or are you within the industry seeking a change to your business line? Perhaps you’re transitioning out of the industry and considering a career shift?

Join Warwick Business School online on Thursday 27th June at 12:30pm, where an experienced co-chairs of the Strategy and Consulting Professional Network will explore key topics on how to successfully find your correct consulting fit.

To find out more and book a place, visit

WBS S&CPN Presents-Navigating Your Consulting Path: Finding the Perfect Fit The WBS Strategy & Consulting Professional Network Presents this insightful webinar discussing 'Finding the Correct Consulting Fit'.

It’s International Women in Engineering Day. Join us in honouring the remarkable efforts of female engineers!

Discover how engineering has impacted the life of Deeksha Sampath, (MSc Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, 2020). Since graduating, Deeksha has taken on the role of Technology Transfer Engineer with the SME Group at WMG. She uses her technical skills to engage and collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders in the engineering sector.

Watch here:

Meet our Alumni - Deeksha Sampath WMG graduate, Deeksha Sampath, (MSc Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management, 2020) talks about how engineering has enhanced her life.Since graduatin...

Curious about the future of sustainable transport? Watch our recent webinar - The Drive to Sustainability. Our panel of University of Warwick alumni speakers discussed innovations, circular economy, electrification challenges and much more.

Led by Professor David Greenwood from WMG, University of Warwick, the panel included industry leaders:

Dr Andy Palmer, WMG graduate (Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IGDS) 1990) and former CEO of Aston Martin

Eszter Haberl, WBS graduate (MSc in Marketing & Strategy, 2010) and now Director of Sustainability Strategy at Motherson Group

Aditya Jairaj, WMG graduate (MSc in Engineering Business Management, 2007), and CEO of Stellantis India.

Watch here:

The Drive to Sustainability From charging your electric car to affordability and efficiency, sustainable transport is one of the world’s greatest challenges. In our latest webinar, we d...

Huge congratulations to Vivien Waterfield (Warwick Executive Diploma in Organisational Change, 2023), who has received a CBE for her work to support families and children.

You can watch Vivien in our recent webinar 'It takes a village: the support needed for early childhood' where she shared her expertise and advice https://youtu.be/tKu1MJ464uw?si=wqup1Ln06tPPfpxc

Congratulations to Vivien Waterfield (Warwick Executive Diploma in Organisational Change, 2023), who has received a CBE for her work to support families and children 🎉

Vivien is Deputy Chief Executive at Home-Start UK, which helps more than 43,000 families across the UK.

Throughout her 26 years with the charity, Vivien has played a pivotal role, working with strategic partners, promoting the organisation’s work, securing generous donors, and ensuring the charity navigates the choppy waters of changing regulation, squeezed funding, and the fallout from the pandemic.

Vivien collected her CBE at Windsor Castle earlier this month.

Find out more about Vivien and her amazing work ⬇️
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/news/executive-education-alumni-cbe-charity/

Eid ul-Adha Mubarak to our Muslim alumni community around the world. We wish you a blessed and joyful Eid.