Blueprint Interior’s Managing Director, Rob Day, came to Lancaster for Jamie’s graduation to present the Award. He was joined by Professor Maria Piacentini, the Head of Department for Marketing. Rob was particularly pleased to be able to attend, having missed his own Lancaster graduation ceremony when he had successfully completed his studies in Management Science and Marketing some 30 years ago.

Jamie has secured a graduate role with Tesco.com and will be able to put his marketing and design knowledge and skills to good use there. He said: “I was really honoured to receive this year’s Blueprint Scholarship and would like to thank Rob Day and Blueprint Interiors for providing the award. The scholarship is a fantastic way of supporting the Marketing and Design course at Lancaster, and it was great to meet Rob and learn more about how both disciplines work together at his company.

“It was obvious Rob still has a great deal of passion for Lancaster University and he sets a great example for alumni that hopefully, as I am starting my career, I will be able to emulate in the future.”

The LUMS Marketing Department has been ranked number 1 in the UK for the second year running, which is a testament to Lancaster’s star quality.

The prize of £1200 is awarded every year to the best final-year student on this specific degree programme. Rob Day is passionate about the importance of bringing Marketing and Design together to achieve success. The course teaches both, and gives the students a unique dual perspective.

Rob said: “Our involvement with Lancaster University, and in particular the Management School, in providing the Blueprint Scholarship, reflects our desire to implement and encourage closer collaboration between education and industry. We firmly believe that learning is a lifelong and continuous process whose value is multiplied by the wider experience and practical application and testing obtained in commercial practice.

“The study of Design in a Marketing context is embedded in our own interests and core beliefs; we are delighted to support the course and reward outstanding effort by the most talented and committed students.”

Maggie Wild, Alumni & Development Manager for LUMS said: “It is heartening to see Lancaster alumni helping new graduates in this way, building strong and meaningful connections. It epitomises the friendly and supportive nature of Lancaster University, past and present.”