Distinguished alumni
Meet some of the progressive people who’ve gone on to change the world of business since leaving us.
Every year, we recognise a handful of our alumni for their outstanding contribution to moving business with purpose forward.
Since 2012, the University has given out Distinguished Alumni Awards to a select group of graduates. These awards are given to people who’ve demonstrated outstanding inspiration, merit, achievement or commitment in a particular role, or who’ve made a difference through their contribution to society, education, knowledge or research.
2023 Distinguished Alumni Award winners
![Andrew Clarke](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/850_3860-3-160x160.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding career and leadership of a global retail business.
![Jane Fordham](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/jane-fordham-160x160.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding career in communications and driving change within organisations.
![Dalraj Nijjar](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/dalraj-nijjar-160x160.jpg)
In recognition of his extraordinary achievement leading a climate tech company in his early career.
![Adelina Zotta](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/adelina-160x160.jpg)
In recognition of her extraordinary achievement in ecommerce and the pet industry in her early career.
2022 Distinguished Alumni Award winners
![Bob Carnell](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Bob-Carnell-Professional-Photograph.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to retail and commitment to charitable work and volunteering.
![Margaret Eyres](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Margaret-Eyres.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding career in finance and support for alumni and students at the University.
![Mary Earps](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Mary-Earps.jpg)
In recognition of her contribution and achievement in women's professional football.
![Nirmal (Nims) Purja](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Nimsdai-headshot-1.jpg)
In recognition of his exceptional and inspiring career as a world record breaking mountaineer, his commitment to UNEP and the mountain community in Nepal.
2019 Distinguished Alumni Award winners
![Brian Yip](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/brianyip.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding achievements in retail, support of education and commitment to inspiring and developing the next generation of leaders in retail.
![Helen Bierton](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Helen-Bierton.jpg)
In recognition of her dedication to banking, passion for helping women into business, and Olympic achievement.
![Wimboh Santoso](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/wimboh-santoso.jpg)
In recognition of his career in banking, finance and public service across a series of senior and executive positions.
2018 Distinguished Alumni Award winners
![Paul Holohan](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/paulHolohanv1.jpg)
In recognition for his 30 years of experience in the printing and packaging industry at CEO and Managing Director level.
![Michael Tye](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/MikeTyev1.jpg)
In recognition for his successful and transformative career in the retail industry.
![Andrew King](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/AndrewKingv1.jpg)
Recognised for his exceptional contribution to the food and beverage industry.
Previous Distinguished Alumni Award winners
![Gay Deuchar](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Gay_Deuchar.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding commitment to coaching and mentoring women in business.
![Louise Cooke](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/LouiseCooke_DA.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding loyalty to the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
![Jill Ross](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Jill_RossDA.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to the retail consulting industry.
![Tim Dyson](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/TimDyson_DA.jpg)
In recognition of extraordinary achievement and innovation in the communications field.
![Patricia Jackson](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/PatriciaJackson_DA.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding service to economics and the banking industry.
![Laura Unsworth MBE](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/LauraUnsworth_DSC9636.jpg)
In recognition of her contribution and achievement in both university and world-class sport.
![Sarah Branquinho](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/SarahBranquinho_DA.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding career and services to travel retail.
![Tony DeNunzio CBE](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/1218184_Tony_DeNunzio_portrait.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding career and global business leadership.
![Dr Ian Shepherdson](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/IanShepherdson_DA.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding career and contribution to economics.
![Nick Bunker](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/NickBunkerDA.jpg)
In recognition of extraordinary achievement in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.
![Andrew Fisher](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/AndrewFisher.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding leadership of a technologically innovative business.
![Paul Philpott](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/PaulPhilpott.jpg)
In recognition of extraordinary achievement and innovation in the motor industry.
![John Dunford](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/JohnDunfordv1.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and ability to motivate others.
![Martin Strzelecki](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/MartinStrzeleckiDA.jpg)
In recognition of his outstanding achievement and contribution to further developing an innovative retail business.
![Jean Tomlin OBE](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Jean-Tomlin-cover.jpg)
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to human resource management and commitment to corporate social responsibility.
![Mark Brown](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/MarkBrown_DA.jpg)
In recognition of his contribution to the finance industry and investment banking strategy.
![Peter Dawkins](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/PeterDawkins_DA.jpg)
In recognition of his contribution and commitment to economic and social policy issues.
![Christine Hodgson](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/Christine_resized.jpg)
In recognition of her commitment to inspiring women in business.
![Stuart Miller](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/StuartMiller_DA.jpg)
In recognition of outstanding achievement in enterprising business.
![Percy Mistry](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/PercyMistry_DA.jpg)
In recognition of his dedication and extraordinary vision in developing innovative approaches in international finance.
![Jeff Prestridge](/media/media/schoolanddepartments/business-school/images/alumni/160x160-profiles/D3381-17.jpg)
In recognition of his commitment and contribution to personal consumer finance.