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Alumni Awards

The University's Alumni Awards recognise Lancaster graduates who have made a substantial contribution in their field and have developed an outstanding national or international reputation amongst their peers.

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Alumni Awards 2024

The following awards were made in 2024:

  • Lucy Briers

    (Independent Studies, 1988, Cartmel) Lucy is a versatile stage and screen actor, who has appeared in some of British TV's most iconic shows, alongside an enviable list of theatre credits. See video 36 mins in.

  • John Curtin

    (Environmental Sciences, 1990, Fylde) John is the former Chief Executive of the UK's Environment Agency who also held roles as Executive Director of Flood & Coastal Risk Management and Director of Incident Management & Resilience. See video 29 mins in.

  • James Grime

    (MSci Mathematics, 2003, Cartmel) James Grime is a mathematician with a personal passion for maths communication and the promotion of maths in schools. He is the co-creator of 'Numberphile' one of YouTube's most popular science channels. See video 44 mins in.

  • Tanya Steele CBE

    (Management Science-Marketing, 1990, Cartmel) Tanya leads the UK office of the World Wildlife Fund, the world's largest independent conservation organisation, a role she has held for over seven years. See video 33 minutes in.

Alumni Awards 2023

The following awards were made in 2023:

  • Vanessa Ganguin

    (LLB Law, 1992, Grizedale) Vanessa is a highly respected leader in the field of immigration law; a tireless champion for decency and compassion, with an impeccable record of service (see video 56 minutes in)

  • John Hogan

    (History, 1983, Furness) John recently retired from his role as Registrar & Secretary of Newcastle University, a post he held for 20 years. In 2019 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from the Association of University Administrators (see video 58 minutes in)

  • The Reverend Canon Dr Rachel Mann

    (BA/MA Philosophy, 1991/1993, Cartmel & Graduate) Ordained into the church of England in 2005 and currently Archdeacon of Bolton and Salford, Rachel Mann is a high-profile speaker on religious, philosophical and trans matters plus an acclaimed author and poet (see video 35 minutes in)

  • Samantha Renke

    Samantha Renke is an actress, broadcaster, writer, disability rights campaigner and inclusion consultant. She was a trailblazing student, helping Lancaster to think more about how to accommodate diverse needs, both in the physical sense and in learning practices (see video 45 minutes in.)

  • Thomas Buberl

    (MBA, 1999, Graduate) Thomas has held the role of Chief Executive Officer of AXA since 2016. He started his career at the Boston Consulting Group, before joining the Winterthur Group Management Board. He was then CEO for Switzerland at the Zurich Insurance Group.

Alumni Awards 2022

The following awards were made in 2022:

  • Funke Amobi

    (MBA, 2008, Graduate College) Funke is a multi award-winning Human Resources specialist who currently serves as the Regional Head for People and Culture, Nigeria and West Africa for Standard Bank Group, Africa's largest banking group (see video 52 mins in.)

  • Dr Mark Ritson

    (PhD/MSc Marketing, 1996/1993, Graduate/Grizedale) Mark is widely acknowledged as one of the world's best marketing instructors and has received multiple awards for his teaching in London, Melbourne and Massachusetts (see video 19 minutes in.)

  • Dr Graham Ryan

    (PhD Environmental Sciences, 2002, Graduate College) Graham is Director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory. He is a highly regarded volcanologist and geophysicist and has worked at the British Geological Survey, University of Auckland and University of West Indies (see video 23 minutes in.)

  • Nick Hope

    (Psychology, 2005, Grizedale) Nick is a successful sports writer and broadcaster who presents both live coverage and news reports from major events for national and international outlets, notably for thirteen years with the BBC (see video 39 minutes in.)

  • Andrew Worrall

    (Applied Physics with Electronics, 1992, Lonsdale) Andrew is the Fuel Cycle Technology Leader in the Nuclear Science and Technology Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States (see video 53 mins in.)

  • Tom Cheesewright

    (Mechatronic Engineering, 2000, Lonsdale) Tom is an Applied Futurist who advises global brands and businesses on the trends of tomorrow. He is an experienced writer, broadcaster and presenter (see video 29 mins in.)

  • Wendy Parmley

    (BEd (Hons) Education and French Studies, 1978, Pendle) Wendy is a champion for improved educational outcomes across the globe. A former Lady Mayoress of London and as Master of the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists she actively promoted IT careers for women (see video 1:03 mins in.)

Alumni Awards 2019

The following awards were made in 2019:

  • Ronke Lawal

    (International Business, 2002, Fylde) Ronke is Director and Founder of Ariatu Public Relations and has dedicated her life to championing diversity and inclusion.

  • Collette Roche

    (BBA Management, 1997, Furness) Colette joined Manchester United as Chief Operating Officer in May 2018. She was recently highlighted in Vogue magazine as one of the Top 25 most influential females in the UK.

  • Dr Martin Loucka

    (PhD Health Research, 2014) Martin is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding emerging leaders in palliative care in Europe. He is the Director of the Centre of Palliative Care in Prague.

  • Chris Austin MBE

    (MBA, 1993) Chris is a senior civil servant and the Deputy CEO for the Africa Investment Summit. He was previously the Senior Lead, Ebola response with the Department for International Development and was awarded a CBE in 2017.

  • Professor Lucy Rogers

    (PhD Engineering, 2001 & BEng Mechanical Engineering, 1995, Fylde) Lucy is the Royal Academy of Engineering's Visiting Professor of Engineering at Brunel University and a judge on BBC's Robot Wars.

Alumni Awards 2018

The following awards were made in 2018:

  • Joe Gordon

    (Business Studies, Lonsdale, 2004) As Head of First Direct, the telephone and online bank, Joe is one of the youngest people ever to make it to the top of the UK banking industry.

  • Tony Heaton OBE

    (Visual Arts, Pendle College, 1989) Tony is a highly acclaimed sculptor, performance artist and champion for disability rights having worked in disability, diversity and social justice for his whole career.

  • Donna Munday

    (Theatre Studies, Pendle, 1992) Donna is a highly respected theatre manager and producer whose career encompasses London's West End and leading provincial repertory theatres.

  • Dr Sanaa Alsarghali

    (PhD Law, Graduate, 2016) Sanaa was the first Palestinian woman to receive a PhD in Constitutional Law and is the only female doctor teaching law at the An-Najah University Law School.

Previous Years

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