alumnimagazine

issue 28 Autumn 2013

On track for LondonLoughborough’s new campus in the capital

The Glendonbrook Centre Helping students become innovators

Life on the small screen Introducing Loughborough’s broadcasting talent

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Alumni Association, Hazlerigg, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK

Tel: +44 (0)1509 228497 Fax: +44 (0)1509 223983 Email: alumni@lboro.ac.uk Web: www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni

The views in this magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor or the University.

Editor: Matthew Inglesant, Development and Alumni Relations Office. Publisher: Loughborough University.

Design and Production: Design and Print Services, Loughborough University. Photography: Design and Print Services

Printed by Sterling. Printed by an ISO 14001 printer using vegetable based inks on FSC certified material.

With thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue.

T55492 DPS Nov13

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News from Loughborough 04

Alumni News 14

Alumni Events 20

Global Networks 22

Loughborough Sport 24

Life after Loughborough 28

R e g u l a r s

F e a t u r e s

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Enterprise at work 02

Developing the Vision 12

You’re live on air! 18

My life after Loughborough 26

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Welcome…

It gives me great pleasure to write this introduction for the Alumni Magazine. It has been a year since I joined the University. It’s not only staff and students who have made me feel so very welcome but also the alumni.

I have been immensely fortunate to meet alumni from across the world: Brunei, Canada, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, as well as the UK. The range of events where I have met alumni and supporters of the University have also been diverse, for example: the Reunion Weekend, held annually in September, the BOND (Business Opportunities for Networking and Development) reception held with Clive Woodward, and the launch of the Thompson Circle, for alumni who have remembered the University in their will.

Over the last year I have come to love Loughborough and realise that it is a special place. As one student recently said: “We may not be the biggest University in the world but we’re quite definitely one of the best.” As I walk across campus I am constantly met by a procession of happy smiling faces – a sign that the Loughborough Experience is still very much alive.

I have learnt a tremendous amount about our University, and there is so much to be proud of. Here are some of my reflections:

We have an outstanding reputation for the relevance of our research, which has led to changes in industrial practice, brought about improvements to the quality of people’s lives, and is at the forefront of the environmental sustainability agenda. We lead the world in areas as diverse as sport, health and exercise; many aspects of engineering and technology; and child welfare policy.

In enterprise we have one of the country’s most successful science and enterprise parks, where we’ve created over 1,100 jobs from both spin-out and spin-in companies. Our innovation space is also home to a growing number of student entrepreneurs, who frequently win national and international prizes for their bright ideas.

One of the distinctive features of Loughborough is that our teaching and research activities are inextricably linked. It’s our aim as part of the Loughborough experience, to equip students for every aspect of their life and career. Employers are invariably impressed by the energy, enthusiasm and competitiveness that Loughborough students demonstrate.

It would be remiss of me not to mention our sporting prowess. Last year our Students’ Athletic Union won the British Universities and Colleges Sports competition yet again. This makes it 33 consecutive years when Loughborough has won the competition.

I am very proud to be leading your University, and to be part of the University’s extended family around the world. One of the things that alumni often say to me is “Vice-Chancellor…. Loughborough is for Life”. This is a phrase I have now taken to heart.

You are welcome on the campus at any time, our door is always open. May I also encourage you to look at the list of events which are taking place and not to be a stranger, please keep in touch via letter or email.

Finally, every year so many of you give back to the University by sitting on advisory boards, mentoring or donating, for which I would like to say a heartfelt thank you.

Best wishes

Professor Bob Allison

Vice-Chancellor and President

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F e a t u r e

In August 2011, Loughborough University established the Glendonbrook Centre for Enterprise Education, following a generous donation of £1 million from Lord Glendonbrook. Based in the School of Business and Economics, it is ensuring that undergraduate and postgraduate students not only acquire academic knowhow, but also develop skills in enterprise and innovation with which to put their knowledge and expertise to good use.

Two years on and the Centre is now delivering an extensive programme of formal enterprise education across the whole University, and supporting an increasing number of extra-curricular activities to encourage entrepreneurial behaviour.

How THe Glendonbrook CenTre is CHanGinG THe learninG experienCe of louGHborouGH sTudenTs

enTerprise aT work

L-R: Emma Bagley – Schools’ Outreach Officer (Enterprise), Amanda Berry – University Teacher and Julie Holland – Glendonbrook Centre Director

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Formal enterprise education comes in the form of academic modules in enterprise and innovation management, entrepreneurship and small business planning. Support is also provided through stand-alone specialist enterprise workshops and courses. As well as using its own staff to deliver these sessions, the Centre regularly draws upon its close links with the Careers and Employability Centre, the Pilkington Library and an extensive network of business experts, many of whom are Loughborough alumni.

Much of the learning takes place in the form of small team exercises, where vital skills can be developed within a fun and safe environment.

There are also opportunities for students to work on and pitch their own business ideas, through the Business Planning for New Ventures module. Whether students want to become self-employed or work for somebody else, they can learn about the principles of business planning and are encouraged to think about problems faced by society and how the development of new business ideas can help resolve these.

As well as benefiting students, the Centre gives Loughborough the opportunity to demonstrate to business how it is developing its teaching programme to increase the employability of its graduates and address the growing wish amongst graduate employers for recruits who display entrepreneurial behaviour.

In addition to the work happening on campus, Loughborough University is also delivering enterprise outreach sessions in secondary schools. In April 2013, the Glendonbrook Centre recruited Emma Bagley to focus on enterprise education for able school students who have the potential to go onto higher education. Emma gives pupils an insight into how enterprise education is embedded into Loughborough University’s programmes.

“Employers want their recruits to be enterprising whatever role they are going to perform. Our job is to instil confidence in our students and to enable them to fulfil their potential. Our graduates will be the business leaders of the future!” commented the Glendonbrook Centre Director Dr Julie Holland.

abouT lord GlendonbrookLord Glendonbrook is the former owner of BMI. He has also been Chairman of Channel 4 and director of Airtours (now MyTravel). He was awarded the CBE in 1986, knighted in 1991 and received an Honorary Degree from Loughborough University in 1989. He was appointed as a ‘working peer’ in October 2010.

Lord Glendonbrook is no stranger to philanthropy. His charitable foundation supports a range of organisations across the arts, education and health sectors, including the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Cancer Research, The Terrence Higgins Trust, and D’Oyly Carte Opera.

The Centre is one example of how Loughborough and its supporters are committed to developing an enterprising culture on campus.

Factbox

Enterprise is a crucial part of the Loughborough Experience and this is reflected by the number of students who run their own businesses or get involved in social enterprise alongside their studies. Enactus Loughborough is a very active student society that is supported by academics and local business experts to transform lives and enable progress through entrepreneurial action. They have been recognised nationally for the projects they have undertaken both in the local area and in Africa. http://enactuslboro.co.uk/

‘The Studio’, based in Loughborough’s Design School, provides a dynamic and highly supportive environment for our new graduates taking their first steps in business. Every year, it selects graduates that will really benefit from professional office space, access to the University’s specialist facilities, mentoring and a business support programme that’s tailored to their needs.

Lord Glendonbrook meeting students and staff at the School of Business and Economics

Lord Glendonbrook with former Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Pearce

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The Thompson Circle Launch

Exciting developments on the Science and Enterprise ParkAt the west end of campus, close to the M1, is a thriving community of businesses with a combined workforce of 1,500. Together, with a number of University research facilities, they make up Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) – one the UK’s largest science parks. In spite of its success, LUSEP has been something of a well-kept secret. Plans are now in place for an ambitious expansion to create up to 200,000m² of work space for up to 6,000 people. Around 4,000 of these spaces could be for new jobs.

LUSEP’s development has been underway for many years, with significant activity in the energy sector, beginning with the opening of the British Gas Research and Technology Centre in 1995. LUSEP is still home to many energy organisations including GL Noble Denton – a leading independent technical advisor to the oil and gas industry – the Energy Technologies Institute and CENEX, the Centre of Excellence for low carbon and fuel cell technologies.

LUSEP also houses the global headquarters of Intelligent Energy, whose origins date back to a fuel cell technology breakthrough at Loughborough University in the late 1980s. Dr Paul Adcock and Dr Phil Mitchell, then lecturers in Transport Technology and Chemistry respectively, are still part of Intelligent Energy which provides clean energy solutions to global consumer electronics, automotive and stationary power markets.

A sports cluster has also developed at LUSEP, with the opening of the University’s Sports Technology Institute in 2008 and SportPark in 2010. Progressive Sports Technologies is another company with Loughborough origins based at LUSEP. Professor Mike Caine, now Dean of Loughborough University in London, and Ross Weir, who is completing a Sports Technology PhD, founded the company in 2002 and have recruited several Loughborough graduates. Progressive works at the forefront of innovation in sport, with projects including the helmets worn by the Olympic gold and silver medalists Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, and validation of football and rugby world cup shirts for Umbro and Nike.

LUSEP’s expansion begins with an eight hectare site. The long term plan includes a further 24 hectares within 15-20 years. Plans are at an advanced stage for the first new buildings, including a new Innovation Centre. This will have twice the space of the current Centre and will give advanced technology start-up companies room to grow.

The expansion offers organisations the unique opportunity to move into purpose-designed buildings in a corporate environment, closely integrated with the academic community – a compelling proposition outlined by Professor Steve Rothberg, the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise:

The development of LUSEP is a natural step for a University whose reputation for links with business and industry can be traced back to the vision of Herbert Schofield, Principal of the Loughborough Colleges from 1915-1950. Leap forward to the present day and Schofield’s influence is not hard to find.

“Our site offers an outstanding environment with excellent transport links and proximity to major businesses across the Midlands. The campus location facilitates engagement with the staff of a world-class research-intensive university and a vast pool of graduate talent, complemented by high quality sports and conferencing facilities and endless professional development opportunities, all on LUSEP’s doorstep.”

Find out more at www.LUSEP.co.uk

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On 10 October, Ana Botin, Chief Executive Officer of Santander, UK visited Loughborough University to mark the fifth anniversary of Loughborough’s partnership with Santander Universities. During the last five years, over £1 million of philanthropic funding has supported Loughborough University’s staff and students. Santander Universities Global Division was launched in 1997 with the aim of supporting higher education’s contribution to the development and prosperity of society. Today, over 1,040 universities in 20 countries across the world are members of the Santander Universities network.

Visit marks fifth anniversary of University partnership

To mark this occasion, together with Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Allison and Simon Bray (Deputy Director of Santander Universities UK), Ms Botin attended a celebration reception with past and present scholars and staff that have benefited from Santander funding. She also had the opportunity to meet some of the University’s successful entrepreneurs – Ross Kemp (ASAP water rescue craft), Becky White (onesixeight:fitness) and Thomas Munday (Tom’s Fudge) – to hear about their work and offer them advice.

Professor Allison presented Ana Botin with a commemorative gift and a publication highlighting the achievements, successes and impact of Santander Universities’ charitable donations since 2008. Loughborough University are delighted to have signed a new three year agreement to continue the partnership with Santander Universities.

Whilst on campus, Ms Botin gave a special lecture, ‘The Future of the UK Economy and the Role of Entrepreneurs’, to over 100 guests where she spoke about the importance of education, SMEs and banks in creating sustainable economic growth.

Ms Botin went on to visit Loughborough’s Sports Technology Institute’s golf laboratory where her golf swing was analysed by academics and students.

“I would like to thank Loughborough University for giving me the chance to speak to some of its students and staff today. The partnership between Santander and the University is going from strength to strength and I have no doubt that the renewal of the agreement will make a big difference to the professional and academic development of many students and researchers at Loughborough.”

Ten small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the local area also benefited from Ms Botin’s expertise as part of the Santander ‘Breakthrough’ initiative. The scheme is a package of funding, business support, events and consultancy helps high-performing SMEs leap to the next level of sustainable growth.

The partnership is highly valued by the University and has supported many areas across the University, including:

Scholarships Staff and student research awards Sports teams Student and enterprise business awards Enterprise initiatives London 2012 Olympic Medal Makers programme Internationalisation projects

Between 2008 and 2013 nearly 200 scholarships have been funded for students and staff from over 11 different countries. The partnership also gives the University access to the worldwide Santander Universities network and offers national enterprise and internship opportunities for Loughborough University students and alumni.

“It was a great privilege to have Ana Botin on campus to join us in celebrating our five year anniversary with Santander Universities and to present an exclusive lecture in which she shared her expertise on Entrepreneurism. Loughborough is very proud of the strong and dynamic relationship we have with Santander and we look forward to continuing to work together to enhance the Loughborough Experience.”

Meeting Loughborough

University’s young

entrepreneurs

Signing of the new three year agreement

Ana Botin, Chief Executive Officer, Santander, UK

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison

Visiting the Sports

Technology Institute’s

ProVantage golf

laboratory

The Vice-Chancellor presenting Ana Botin with a commemorative gift

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alumnimagazine Loughborough university

newsOur best wishes go to Jim Overend, who left his role as Head of Alumni Relations in September to join Leicestershire County Cricket Club as their Commercial Manager.

Jim was appointed in September 2009 and has led the development of Loughborough University’s alumni events programme, with over 2,500 attendees coming to more than 60 events held both on and off campus in 2013.

Amongst his achievements were the management of the Centenary Honorary Degree Ceremonies in 2009, the development of Loughborough Sporting Club (LSC), and the setting up of our annual Alumni Challenge Weekend.

Asked about his time at Loughborough, Jim said:

Good luck for the future, Jim

“It has been an honour and privilege to represent Loughborough Alumni. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Loughborough and enjoyed meeting so many interesting and inspiring students and graduates alike.

“I will remain in contact with Loughborough and continue to support and watch its future with interest.”

Congratulations to Robbie Epsom (Chemical Engineering, 2009), Kevin Hogan, (Physics, 2002), Charlotte Mason (Manufacturing Engineering and Management, 1991) and Depal Patel (Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying, 2006) who were elected as new members of the Alumni Advisory Board at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

All four will serve on the Board for a period of three years, after which they will be entitled to stand for re-election for a further three year period.

Our thanks to everybody who stood for election and to everyone who took the time to vote.

We would like to thank Mike Charleston, John Freeman, John Gillespie and Chris Hallam, who stood down from the Board in September. We are extremely grateful to all four members for the commitment and dedication they have shown during their service.

For further details about the Alumni Advisory Board, including how to get involved and profiles of all the members, visit www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/AAB

Enterprising students and staff from Loughborough University have launched Lamplight Press, a brand new publishing company.

Lamplight Press is a not-for-profit general trade and academic publishing company dedicated to promoting new fiction, non-fiction and academic writing by students, academics and authors from around the UK. Lamplight will publish across a broad range of genres and are on the look-out for interesting manuscripts.

The company will be run on a formal basis with an editorial board comprising academic staff and students, with students operating in key functions such as editorial, marketing and design. Books will be traditionally printed and/or produced in digital form.

Rebecca Wheeler is one of the students involved. She said: “Lamplight Press is an amazing opportunity for students to gain an insight into the publishing trade and learn valuable skills that could be applied in most media and project management jobs.”

Lamplight Press currently accepts unsolicited manuscripts from both unpublished and established authors. Questions or queries can be sent via e-mail: info@lamplightpress.co.uk

New members join the Alumni Advisory Board

Loughborough University launches publishing company

The role of the Board The Alumni Advisory Board was established to represent the interests of Loughborough alumni and to give its members a clear ‘voice’. It works in partnership with DARO to develop a ‘World Class Alumni Association’, helping to increase alumni awareness and involvement and to expand and engage the global alumni network.

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The Thompson Circle

Every year, gifts to Loughborough help us to deliver academic excellence and an award-winning student experience. Here are some of the latest stories about how donations are making a difference across campus:

Donations making a difference

Heads Up! With thanks to donations to the Loughborough Fund, the Heads Up! project was set up by the University’s mental health support team. The project is an award-winning student-led mental health and wellbeing group that has supported students across campus. The group aims to promote positive mental wellbeing among all students, and to raise awareness of mental health issues through campaigns and regular events.

Caterpillar Foundation The Caterpillar Foundation has generously donated £17,000 to fund six student scholarships in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering. The scholarships remove financial barriers, enabling students to move from the BEng to the MEng course, improving the level of education gained and increasing their employability on graduation. The scholars began their studies in September 2013 and took part in a welcome event at Caterpillar where they met other scholars from across the country and Caterpillar staff from the Desford plant.

More stories like these can be found in the Your Gift magazine, published in July 2013. ‘Your Gift’ was sent to all the University’s donors to highlight the many projects and initiatives that have benefited from their gifts.

Your Gift magazine can be found online at www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/yourgift

Development Trust Scholars Gifts to the Development Trust Scholarships Fund have supported life changing scholarships for ten students who started at Loughborough University in September 2012 and 14 more scholars who started in September this year. Development Trust Scholars are academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The students are studying a range of undergraduate programmes from engineering and science to sport development and the arts. Donations through this year’s Telephone Campaign have also supported the Development Trust Scholarships.

“I was a high achieving student from a low income family and received a bursary from Loughborough. I had the best experience of my life, got a good degree and now a great job. I happily give to the Development Trust!” Laura Blunt (Sport and Exercise Science, 2006)

Shirley Conran Travel Award We were pleased to announce the launch of the Shirley Conran Travel Award earlier this year. Both individuals and groups are able to apply for the award which provides financial support for the recipient(s) to travel within the UK or abroad and extend their knowledge of their chosen area within textiles. We are pleased to announce that two awards have already helped students to travel to Sweden and South America.

Professor P Warwick and Professor D Read Over the last three years Professor P Warwick and Professor D Read have generously donated £30,000 from their company, Enviras Ltd, to the Department of Chemistry. Their support has had a significant impact in the Department, most recently enabling research in the chemometrics of bottled drinking water.

We were delighted to launch the Thompson Circle in June this year. The Circle has been established to thank all those who have left a gift to Loughborough in their will and is named after Annie Thompson, the first person to leave a legacy to Loughborough in 1935. Her gift helped to provide scholarships to those who wanted to study at Loughborough.

Legacy gifts to Loughborough are of huge importance and have an invaluable impact on every aspect of the University.

The launch of the Circle was a special occasion, during which the Vice-Chancellor updated guests on recent developments at the University and spoke about the importance of the Thompson Circle in the University’s future.

Entertainment was provided by alumna and talented harpist, Madeleine Buckley (Fine Art, 2010).

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The University Counselling Service (UCS) will soon be celebrating its 40th anniversary. UCS has been in promoting students’ psychological and emotional wellbeing over the years and has grown from a single counsellor to the current team of 11 counsellors and two secretaries. Over 700 students and staff accessed the service this year.

Dr Bernard Ratigan, psychoanalytical psychotherapist, was appointed on 1st January 1974 after pressure from the Students’ Union to provide counselling for students. He established the service, which was one of the first in the UK, with the support of the Registrar, Captain Dermott Muspratt.

UCS moved to its present location in Holywell Drive over 20 years ago. It has been a refuge in times of stress for many students and staff over the years.

‘End of an Era’ A dedicated website has been established at http://holt.lboro.ac.uk, to record a history of the building – featuring images dating back to the 1930s. If you were a resident of The Holt and would like to submit your memories of your time there, please contact Professor Kalawsky at r.s.kalawsky@lboro.ac.uk

Roy has not left Loughborough University and continues his role as a Professor of Systems Engineering and Associate Dean of Enterprise in the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering.

Life begins at forty!UCS is compiling a history of the service and would appreciate any memories from alumni who may have benefited from using it. If you would like to contribute your comments on how it may have helped you, please contact ucs@lboro.ac.uk

The Holt Family 1997

“It is a fantastic service and I don’t think I could have survived without it”Anonymous

40THANNIVERSARY

International students outside The Holt in 2006

Acquired in 1918, The Holt – Loughborough’s oldest hall of residence expanded in the 1960s, and was sold to the Unite Group (who re-built the blocks surrounding ‘The Old Holt’) in 2003. It offered en-suite rooms to 262 students on a self- catering basis.

However, as the University, who leased the rooms from Unite, found itself in an increasingly competitive student accommodation marketplace, it made the difficult decision not to renew the lease from the beginning of the academic year 2013/14. The University’s longest serving warden, Professor Roy Kalawsky, and his wife Christine have left the Holt but remain in touch with many former students via email and Facebook. Roy said that living in close proximity to students and being at hand to help them settle into university life had been a very rewarding experience.

Holt alumni extend to all corners of the world. Two famous alumni to have resided at The Holt include the highly respected Civil Engineer and Honorary Graduate, Sir John Gains and former Olympic athlete and Trustee of the British Olympic Foundation, Don Anthony MBE.

Hazlerigg-Rutland Hall suffered a major blow when Holt students undertook a secret mission to capture the weather vane. The one on Hazlerigg today is not the original version!

Holt fact

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Loughborough named University of the Year for SportLoughborough has been named University of the Year for Sport by The Times Good University Guide 2014.

Loughborough topped the league and was featured in a special supplement focusing on the best universities for sport, after gaining the most points in each of The Times’ three criteria – success in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) championship, in cup competitions and in individual performances in non-team sports.

Peter Keen, Director of Sport at Loughborough University, said:

“Naturally I am delighted that Loughborough has been awarded the accolade of University of the Year for Sport in The Times Good University Guide for 2014. Sport is in the DNA of this University and it is what we have built our reputation on. So for me this award validates all that we do to ensure that our students have a life shaping experience through sport.

This experience is achieved on a heritage of success and excellence, alongside unrivalled sporting opportunities from recreational activities and up to the highest levels of elite performance. Simply put, at Loughborough we just get sport, and play it more than anywhere else.”

Loughborough has an unparalleled record of excellence in sport. Its students have won the BUCS title for 33 consecutive years, finishing more than 2,000 points ahead of the second placed university in last year’s competition.

At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, past and present students and Loughborough-based athletes won a total of 44 medals – a success so great that if the University had been a country it would have finished 8th in the medal table – and at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic

Games, 90 athletes with Loughborough connections competed, winning a total of 13 medals.

The University was also the Official Preparation Camp Headquarters for Team GB prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games, with over 520 members of Team GB passing through the campus to collect their kit and several sports basing themselves in Loughborough for their pre-Games training.

© AndyThompsonPhoto.com

International Sports Management MBALoughborough University

An executive MBA for sports industry leaders, delivered part-time over 2 years.The global sports industry requires dynamic managers with strong leadership capabilities who not only understand the particular challenges of sports management, but who also possess wide ranging business acumen.

Loughborough University’s International Sports Management MBA equips you with core business and management skills as well as industry-specific skills (media management, sports funding, managing sports technology and international sports governance) to fast track your career.

Scholarships available for our next intakes in 2014.

Vicki Unwin T: 01509 222160

E: V.E.Unwin@lboro.ac.uk

www.lboro.ac.uk/mba

@LoughboroughMBA

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alumnimagazine Loughborough university

newsAs an SME you can take advantage of the support available via our new graduate recruitment project, developed in response to feedback from local employers. Whatever your business goals and whatever your sector we can help you succeed. Hosting a graduate intern is a great way for your organisation to benefit from the up-to-date skills and knowledge that a graduate can offer.

Our high-calibre graduates can bring fresh ideas, energy and skills to your organisation. Many companies are so pleased with the quality of their graduate intern, they have offered them a job at the end of the project.

The Graduates in Business project provides practical support to help employers recruit a recent graduate, together with grant funding of up to £1,600.

If you’re looking to recruit, the process is simple: We meet to discuss your skills requirements and draw up a suitable job description

We advertise your vacancy, shortlist suitable applicants and send you details of a selection of pre-screened candidates

You make the final appointment decision, then employ and pay the graduate directly

You provide us with evidence of the salary paid to the graduate each month, and receive a grant.

All our services are free of charge.

If you’ve graduated within the last three years and are looking for employment, Graduates in Business can help you find a graduate level job in a small or medium sized company.

Interested? – the process is simple:

Complete the online application: www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness/graduates

We match your details against the employer profiles and current vacancies on our database, and forward details of suitable opportunities for you to consider

Following a successful interview, the company employ and pay you directly

All our services are free of charge.

If you’re interested in boosting your career, get in touch to discover how we can help:

T: 01509 223110 E: kt@lboro.ac.uk www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness

Are you a graduate looking for new opportunities?

Are you an SME looking for financial support to help recruit graduates into your business?

Find out more at: www.lboro.ac.uk/graduatesinbusiness

Get in touch to discover how we can help: Call the Business Development Team on T: 01509 223110. E: kt@lboro.ac.uk

“Employing a graduate brought

a fresh set of eyes and a fresh

approach to our organisation.

We believe that is a valuable

asset. Employing a graduate

with no industry experience has

its advantages. They bring with

them the ability to question.”

Kevin Bush, Senior HR Manager

at Synseal Extrusions Ltd.

” One of the most attractive things is that the graduate brings new ideas with them. Because they are young and relatively untainted by previous work experience, they are able to take a fresh look at what we are doing. I have been impressed with the way James has put his ideas into the ring.”

Matt Symonds, TBAT Director

Management education tailored for professionals

At Loughborough, we develop leaders with the skills to drive business performance, whatever the economic climate.What we can offer you and your business Accredited Certificate, Diploma and Masters qualifications Bespoke company training and short courses Part-time delivery for minimum disruption to your business Work-based assessments for immediate return on investment

Our areas of expertise Management and Leadership Company Direction for Directors (IoD) Finance, Accounting and Banking Retail, Marketing and Management Healthcare Management Automotive Management Occupational Health and Safety Management Security Management

Vicki Unwin T: 01509 222160

E: V.E.Unwin@lboro.ac.uk www.lboro.ac.uk/exec

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Tracking and mapping the mood of the nation through Twitter

Loughborough University joins the FutureLearn revolution

Academics at the University have developed a new computer program that can map the mood of the nation and its reaction to big events through Twitter.

The system analyses up to 2,000 tweets a second, using complex software to extract from each tweet a direct expression of one of eight basic emotions: anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, shame and confusion.

As well as tracking initial public reactions to events, such as the 2011 riots and the murder of soldier Lee Rigby, the system can also analyse how the public mood changes over time following subsequent incidents or interventions.

There are many applications for the new system, from use by the police to track potential criminal behaviour or threats to public safety, to guiding national policy on the best way to react to major incidents.

Principal investigator, Professor Tom Jackson from the University’s Centre for Information Management, based in the School of Business and Economics, says social media has enabled us to track very accurately how and what people are feeling.

“Through the computer program we have created we can collate expressions of feelings in real time, map them geographically and track how they develop.”

Richard Taylor has been appointed as the Chief Operating Officer at the University.

Richard, who is a trustee of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), left a position as Deputy Registrar at the University of Leicester to take up the role.

Of his appointment, Richard said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Loughborough University. It is an organisation that has enjoyed significant success in recent years and has huge potential to build on that record. I very much look forward to working with new colleagues and students.”

New Chief Operating Officer appointed

CREST celebrates in styleOn July 5th this year, the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, known around the world simply as CREST, celebrated its 20th anniversary. Today renewable energy and sustainability engineering is routinely accepted as vital for the future of mankind but 20 years ago the idea was still very much in the ‘long hair and sandals’ camp.

Local business man, Tony Marmont, felt so passionately about the need to secure future green energy that he donated £1.25 million of his personal money to the University to create a new specialist centre for research and education. His pioneering vision and philanthropy bore fruit and, from modest beginnings, CREST flourished into the world-renowned organisation, of which we are so justifiably proud today.

Over a hundred former colleagues and students gathered with current ‘Cresties’ at Holywell Park to recall the early years, to celebrate CREST’s many achievements and to consider and debate future challenges. Having fun was on the agenda too as guests built and raced solar powered cars and enjoyed making their own smoothies with pedal-power.

Guests of honour, Tony Marmont and his

wife Angela, were invited to cut the cake

If you missed it, you can still enjoy the highlights, including presentations by Tony himself and special guest Jonathan Porritt, plus information about CREST today, at www.lboro.ac.uk/crest

FutureLearn, the first free, open, online platform for courses from several UK universities and other leading higher education institutions has announced a further five partners including Loughborough University and the British Museum.

Loughborough and the British Museum join other universities, the British Council and British Library, as part of FutureLearn, with each committing to providing engaging and entertaining courses to the public.

Loughborough will offer courses in mathematics, enterprise and innovation – areas in which the University already has a well-established reputation for excellence.

FutureLearn was founded in December 2012 and now has 24 partners.

F e a t u r e

alumnimagazine

alumni returning to campus regularly comment on the rapid expansion of the 400 acre site since they graduated.now, a new chapter in the history of loughborough university is about to begin.

In 2015, a campus based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London will open its doors to prospective students. A distinctive portfolio of postgraduate study options will be delivered from an inspirational location. The London campus will provide an outstanding ‘Loughborough student experience’ combined with the dynamism and employment opportunities afforded by the capital. The London base will position the University to fully utilise its excellent research and innovation capability to attract new business partnerships and to expand its global reach.

L o u g h b o r o u g h t o o p e n c a m p u s o n o Ly m p i c pa r k s i t e i n L o n d o n

d e V e L o p i n g t h e V i s i o n

a b o u t t h e L o n d o n c a m p u s Loughborough University in London (LUiL) will be housed in 7,000m2 of the former Broadcast Centre on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

It is part of the iCITY development, which will transform the buildings into a world-class centre of innovation and enterprise to deliver a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympics for local residents, local businesses and the wider economy in the UK.

The new campus will complement and expand Loughborough’s existing academic provision, enabling the University to further its research and innovation activities.

Teaching and research disciplines confirmed to date include business and management, media and creative industries, digital technologies and sport – including an international sports MBA, with a number of other subject areas also under consideration. A culture of innovation and entrepreneurship will be fostered via curricula content and extra-curricular activities in partnership with business and the professions.

Loughborough graduates applying to study at LUiL will also be eligible to receive an alumni bursary towards the cost of their study, with details to be confirmed at a later date.

W h y L o n d o n W a s t h e r i g h t c h o i c eLoughborough University in London will attract students from both the UK and overseas seeking a London-based education combined with an outstanding wider student experience.

With iCITY estimating that circa 5,000 employees will be working on site within the next five years, there will multiple opportunities for students based at LUiL to work alongside and in partnership with many of these organisations, allowing students the chance to develop their own innovative ideas and enhance their potential for recruitment into a relevant field.

The new campus will build on Loughborough University’s existing commitment to innovation by placing it alongside some of the leading players in the media and creative industries, including BT vision, who are already employing circa 350 staff at its state of the art studios on the iCITY site.

© Main image courtesy of the London Legacy Development Corporation

© Architects elevation courtesy of Hawkins\Brown for iCITY

An architect’s illustration of how the exterior of the ICITY Development will look

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o u r v i s i o nEMBRACING A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE

A DIFFERENCE

“Education has the power to unlock potential and transform lives.

“At Loughborough we excel in delivering high-calibre education

that is developed with business and other partners to meet economic,

business and social needs. Our presence in London will enable us

to diversify and expand the high quality education we offer to both postgraduate students and those

looking to advance their professional development.

“Loughborough also has a long history of working in partnership

with business to drive forward research and innovation for

the benefit of society and the economy. Our London site will allow us to connect with many

more organisations to enhance our research and enterprise activity,

thereby delivering greater benefit to even more communities.”

Professor Robert Allison Vice-Chancellor and President

of Loughborough University

Being based at the Olympic Park site will also put students in close proximity of, and give them access to, world class facilities including the Copper Box, Aquatic Centre and Velodrome.

Gavin Poole, Chief Executive of iCITY, said:

“We are thrilled that Loughborough University has confirmed they will establish an academic campus at iCITY. The University has an incredibly impressive track record of pioneering research and innovation. Loughborough’s decision to come to iCITY is an exciting development in delivering our vision of creating a world-leading digital hub where higher education, start-ups and established companies will be working side by side. We very much look forward to welcoming Loughborough University to iCITY.”

o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o d e V e L o p n e W pa r t n e r s h i p sLoughborough has a long history of working in partnership with business to drive forward research and innovation for the benefit of society and the economy. A site in London will enable the University to connect with a wider range of organisations and to further the impact of its research and enterprise activity, helping to make a real difference to people’s lives, both within East London and beyond.

Loughborough University in London will align closely with the Government’s Tech City initiative, which is set to become a focus for high-tech growth and innovation in East London and is currently home to thousands of businesses in the creative, new media and digital industries. Being close to businesses such as these will open up opportunities for the University to collaborate with some of the country’s leaders in these fields.

The University has recruited a Business Development Manager charged with establishing new partnerships, both nationally and internationally. Dean of LUiL, Professor Mike Caine, is keen to hear from businesses keen to get involved.

“The London campus puts Loughborough University at the heart of the UK’s burgeoning creative and digital sectors and will create fantastic opportunities for individuals, organisations and employers to work in partnership with us, enabling them to tap into an exceptional pool of entrepreneurial graduate ‘talent’ to help develop their products and grow their businesses.”

For enquiries on how you can become part of the Loughborough University in London project, please contact Professor Mike Caine at M.P.Caine@lboro.ac.uk or on +44 (0)1509 222002Further information is also available at www.lboro.ac.uk/london

alumniR e g u l a r s

alumnimagazine Loughborough university

Alumnus solves ancient mystery

Loughborough graduate Dr James George Brianas (PhD Management Studies, 1987) has been on a mission to solve the mystery of Homer’s Phthia, the palace site of Achilles, hero of the Trojan War of 1250BC for over 10 years.

His research – ancient texts, on site visits, local interviews, historical and archaeological evidence – points to the acropolis at the city of Pharsala in SE Thessaly three hours northwest of Athens, Greece. His Achilles Foundation, in partnership with archaeologists from the University of Florida, has begun a 20-year work project at Pharsala. While the tomb of Achilles lies as a 30-foot mound outside Troy (on the Aegean Sea northwest corner of Turkey) his homeland in Greece which Homer identified in ‘the Iliad’ as Phthia has never been found.

The project has faced several barriers, from the scepticism of Greek officials, to obtaining permits to begin excavation and securing funding from a nation in the grip of severe recession.

Brianas explains the background to the project:

“Achilles is the first military hero of Greece and the Western world. Homer’s Iliad was the first book of the Western world,” he says. “It was passed down by singing poets. Bards would go around and sing the story. They still have these bards in Serbia. That’s how the story of the Trojan War was preserved.”

One obstacle, even among believers, is that Achilles’ kingdom was supposed to be in sight of the sea. Pharsala is

Did you come to Loughborough in 1964? 50th AnniversAry reunion event plAnned

The four pictured above l-r; Gary Davies (Production Engineering, 1968), Cliff Sumner (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1968), Ray Davies (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1969) and Tony Jacks (Industrial Chemistry, 1968) all started in 1964. Gary was resident in Rutland Hall, Tony, Cliff and Ray were the first residents at Flat A1 Forest Court.

The very basic kitchen facilities in the Forest Court flats that first year, meant all the students were ‘attached’ to various halls on the campus.

In June this year, the four friends decided to get together and visit campus – the first time they had all been together since 1968. The photograph above, amongst many others, was taken to mark the occasion.

Ray and his friends are attempting to contact more people from the 1964 cohort, with the possibility of celebrating a 50th anniversary. They would love to hear from anybody from this time interested in coming along. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ray Davies at rayd@btinternet.com

Alumnus Ray Davies recently contacted us to see if we could help him get in touch with classmates who started at Loughborough in 1964 and would be interested in attending a 50th anniversary reunion event in 2014.

long-term project looks to reveAl pAlAce of Achilles

Loughborough University’s annual Alumni Reunion Weekend takes place over the weekend of 12-14 September 2014, celebrating 50 years and beyond since graduating. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to catch up with old classmates and see campus through a range of special campus tours and lectures.

Further details are available on the events pages.

Alumni reunion Weekend 50th anniversary and beyond SAve the DAte!

SAVE THEDATE

landlocked. Brianas explains, “The sea has receded. The sea level had gradually dropped about 25 to 30 feet about 1,800 years ago. It happened at Troy; at Ephesus; at Alexandria, Egypt; at Piraeus the port city of Athens, which was once an island; at the port of Rome and more. The Mediterranean Sea dropped. That has high significance in researching and piecing the Achilles puzzle together.”

Brianas is keen to present his evidence:

“There is another interesting piece of information. During the second attempt of the Persian Empire to conquer Greece in 480 BC, there was a battle at Thermopylae where 300 Spartans held off 20,000 Persian troops for several days. They were able to do so because, at Thermopylae, the 25 foot pass was between the sea’s edge and the beginning of the steep mountains. Today that spot is about one-third of a mile wide!”

Brianas hopes to have an excavation team on the site by the end of this year. He estimates it will take, at least, another 20 years of careful work to completely excavate the site.

For photos, articles, and contacts visit www.achillesfoundation.org

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Loughborough university alumnimagazinealumnialumni news

Loughborough University Civil Engineering graduate, Caleb Meakins, has been named ‘Graduate of the Year 2013’ in a competition run by UK Job sites Adzuna and Milkround.The competition set out to find Britain’s brightest and best academics, artists, entrepreneurs, sportspeople and social contributors. Caleb beat off thousands of entrants from over 100 UK universities to win the title following a public vote.He was nominated for his ‘My 40 days’ campaign. His idea was to undertake and document 40 challenges submitted by the public deemed ‘impossible to achieve’. This was to shape the way Caleb dealt with failure and to inspire optimism amongst graduates across the country, showing failing can be a valuable experience.Caleb graduated from the University in 2012 and is currently employed as a Global Poverty Ambassador at the Global Poverty Project.

caleb crowned ‘Graduate of the Year 2013’During his time at Loughborough Caleb also won one of the University’s ‘Think Big’ awards which celebrate student enterprise. On hearing he had won Caleb said:“I am delighted to have won. I never thought I’d be in with a chance of winning but one thing the ‘My 40 Days’ project has taught me is – if you don’t try you

don’t get, hence my new motto – ‘he who dares wins’ has paid off! I have been overwhelmed by the support I have received, especially through social media.”

Andrew Hunter, Co-founder of Adzuna said: “Competition among graduates is tougher than ever for university leavers, with over 50 graduates fighting it out for every job. It’s great to see exceptional talent like Caleb carving his own path, inspiring other graduates and thinking

in an entrepreneurial way. It’s young talent like this who we are proud to be supporting straight out of the blocks.” Alex Sydney, Head of Marketing at Milkround said: “We were blown away by the talent this year and the whole initiative has been a real testament to the hard work from all the finalists. Caleb’s entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiasm really shone out. I have no doubt this is the first of many achievements for him and he’ll continue to inspire the next generation of graduates.” The University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, Professor Steve Rothberg, commented: “I am delighted that Caleb’s entrepreneurial drive and enthusiasm has been recognised with this award. We also recognised Caleb’s talents in 2012 when he won the Social Enterprise award in our Business Ideas competition. I wish him all the success for the future.”As winner, Caleb will receive a cash prize as well as an internship with one of Britain’s top companies and a CV clinic with a top UK entrepreneur.

More to Loughborough than

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alumniR e g u l a r s

alumnimagazine Loughborough university

Keeping it in the familyAlumni couple celebrAte son’s grAduAtion from loughborough

Alumni Stephen and Jane Parry (Mechanical Engineering and Social Psychology, 1985), who met on their first day at Loughborough, were delighted to be able to return to campus in July to help son Michael Parry (Automotive Engineering, 2013) celebrate his graduation – almost 30 years after attending their own.The couple married in 1986 and had two sons. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming their grandchildren to Loughborough in the not too distant future!

Scouts and Guides Club celebrAtes 60th AnniversAryThis year, Loughborough Students’ Scout and Guide Club (SCOGUI) proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary. The Club offers members the opportunity to try traditional activities such as climbing and archery, plus newer ones including salsa dancing and circus skills. Additionally, members volunteer their time as leaders to Scout/Guide groups in the local community.To mark the occasion, the Club produced special merchandise and held an Anniversary Dinner, which was attended by some of the Club’s founding members. A special thanks to all the committees who have ensured the smooth running and survival of the society. We wish SCOGUI all the best for the future and look forward to celebrating its centenary in 2053!The Origins of SCOGUIThe predecessor to SCOGUI was the Loughborough College Rover Crew. Alumnus Roy Warren (Civil Engineering, 1955) explains how the change came about:

“I joined the Rover Crew on arriving at Loughborough in 1952. Established by Baden-Powell in the 1920s with no upper age limit, Scouts HQ was now looking to phase out Rover’s altogether.

“In response, members of the Loughborough Rover Crew met in 1953 to discuss a possible alternative, with a decision made to launch a Scout and Guide Club in September of that year.

“The lack of female students to recruit at the time presented problems, so joint events were held with other teaching colleges in the East Midlands.

“Following a review of all options, a decision was made on the name for the new group and SCOGUI was born.

“In my career spanning over 40 years, I have met with many alumni who have assured me SCOGUI is still going strong.

“My best wishes go to the fellow founder members and the many alumni who have supported the development of the club.”

China for a few years learning Mandarin. On a boat going down the Yangtze River, Lucas is attracted to a young local woman, Wang Hong. The film charts the story of what happens once the couple leave the boat. It charts Lucas’s troubled pursuit of Wang Hong and his dream, of opening a coffee house in Wushan.

Asked how the offer of the film offer came about, Philip commented:

“I had just returned from Beijing after participating in the China Central Television (CCTV) Chinese competition, China Bridge. During the two-week competition I had exhausted myself to the point that I had to go to a clinic for treatment. Whilst there, I got a phone call from a producer who had seen me on TV. Coincidentally, she was looking for a Chinese-speaking Western male in his late twenties to play the lead role in a Zhang Ming film. At first I thought she was joking, but when she came to the clinic with her assistant 20 minutes later and started interviewing me I knew she wasn’t. A few months later, after gaining back the 10 kilos that I had lost from being sick, I began shooting ‘China Affair’ in Wushan.”

Graduate Philip Burkart (International Relations, 2008) was the toast of this year’s Shanghai Film Festival, where the film ‘China Affair’, in which he played the lead role was one of only a few films to sell out.

Shortly after graduating from Loughborough, Philip moved to China where he has been living for the past four years. During these four years, Philip studied a second Masters, this time in Chinese languages. As a result of his language abilities (and, according to Philip, a lot of luck), he was asked by a Chinese producer to make a movie.

The film, directed by Zhang Ming, is set in central China. Philip plays Lucas, a young American from Wisconsin who has been travelling around

Masters graduate steals the show in Shanghai philip’s film A sell out At film festivAl

Philip was also joined in the credits of the film by his mother and father, who played Lucas’s parents in the film.

‘China Affair’ is due to be released in February or March 2014.

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Loughborough university alumnimagazinealumnialumni news

USA Rugby recognises the contribution of founding members

At the USA v Ireland match in Houston in June 2013, USA Rugby took a moment to look back and honour its founding members and to celebrate what they started almost 40 years ago.During the 1960s and 70s, rugby saw a resurgence in the United States, and it became apparent that a more centralised structure was necessary. In 1975, the regional rugby unions met in Chicago, to form the United States of America Rugby Football Union, which later became USA Rugby. There they set the rules and regulations that would govern the sport in

the United States and built the foundation upon which the American tradition of rugby could be re-established and grow.Pictured (left) is alumnus Peter Baigent (B.Ed, 1969), who along with fellow founding members, was presented with a commemorative plaque by the current CEO of USA Rugby, Nigel Melville, and International Rugby Board Executive Committee Member, Bob Latham. Congratulations to Peter on receiving this well-deserved recognition.

Loughborough alumnus and former world no.26 men’s squash player, Tim Garner (PE and Sports Science, 1991), pictured left, joined former World no.1 Peter Nicol MBE in April 2013 to complete the gruelling Xodus Seven Continent Challenge.

The challenge raised the profile of squash’s Back the Bid 2020 for Olympic inclusion and demonstrated squash’s globalism. The two men played a challenge series of seven full matches on seven continents in seven days! In addition to highlighting the 2020 Bid’s profile, the challenge raised funds for deserving projects. Tim was inspired to take on the challenge by Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Seven Marathons challenge and so kicked off where Sir Ranulph had started, deep in the Atlantic on the Falkland Islands (given honorary ‘Antarctica’ status). The players then headed to Santiago (Chile, South America), Sydney (Australia, Oceania), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia, Asia), Cairo (Egypt, Africa), London (England, Europe) and finally Stamford (USA, North America). Commenting on the challenge, Tim said: “The enthusiasm all the way round the world was incredible and despite being constantly on the go, Peter and I managed to survive relatively unscathed though I have a feeling it is going to hit us both now that we have stopped! One of my best moments was discovering that the club in Santiago had taken some of building’s windows out so that they could build temporary seating into the car park such was the interest in attending!”Over the course of the challenge the players travelled over 40,000 miles, spent 73 hours on planes and 138 hours travelling in some shape or form and played 32 games of squash across seven matches lasting in the region of seven hours, not including the odd promo hit that venues sneaked in! The series went to the wire, with Peter winning the final match in New York to claim a 4-3 victory.

Squash profile raised by global challenge

Sean Hardeley

Loughborough alumni claim nAtionAl teAching AWArdsWe are delighted to announce that Loughborough alumni have achieved an incredible national ‘double’ at this year’s Pearson Teaching Awards, widely recognised within the education sector as its industry’s ‘Oscars’.

Our congratulations go to Crispin Chambers (Modern European Studies, 1986) winner of the award for ‘Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School’ and Sean Hardeley (Sport and Exercise Science, 2007; PGCE 2010), who was named ‘Outstanding New Teacher of the Year’.

Crispin was nominated by his Head teacher at Tavistock College in Devon, who commented:

“Crispin lives and breathes teaching. In his class, students are so immersed in their learning that they almost don’t realise they are doing it.”

Sean began working at Holy Cross RC High School, Chorley, three years ago, teaching all three sciences (physics, chemistry and biology) from the outset – something rarely attempted by a new science teacher.

The award judges were particularly impressed by one of Sean’s innovative science projects. Through the school’s STEM Club, which promotes science, technology, engineering and maths, he initiated a project to send a weather balloon into space to record images of the Earth and its weather systems.

Sean was nominated for the award by the Head of Science, Matt Power.

Matt said: “Sean brings innovation, excitement and drive to the science department, inspiring students to be more, want more and achieve more in his lessons. It has been a privilege to work with him.”

Crispin Chambers

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F e a t u r e

So from hurtling head first down an ice track he moved to hurtling head first into a presenting career.

Having successfully presented shows on LSUTV and LCR, Radzi’s show reel earned him an audition for Blue Peter in mid-2011, when he was one of just three to be screen tested. He was unsuccessful.

Undeterred, he turned his hand to being a TV runner before his biggest gig to date. Hosting Weightlifting and Powerlifting at London 2012.

“Working at the Olympics was beyond belief,” he beams, “Normally you would have to work for a decade before getting an opportunity to present in front of thousands on a daily basis. The country came together during

2012 and I felt at the heart of it. I learned an incredible amount and became a better presenter.”

A better networker too it seems. An industry conference introduced Radzi to CBBC’s Head of Presentation Ewan Vinnecombe, which led to great contacts and work experience opportunities as a ‘runner’. “Whilst working as a runner at CBBC, I was eating microwavable rice and tinned mackerel – my staple diet for four months. I couldn’t afford to do anything. I was barely breaking even, spending all my time and money travelling to meetings and auditions, and trying to put myself in the right place at the right time.”

Blue Peter is the most iconic programme in children’s television. Its presenters travel the globe, meet celebrities, complete amazing challenges and become a dab hand with sticky back plastic. For Radzi, it is literally a dream come true, “When I was younger I dreamt that I was a Blue Peter presenter.”

With his crazy hair and beaming smile, he attended six different schools, and yet, despite the challenge of always being the new kid, Radzi’s bullish self- belief shone through. In his Year Six leavers’ book, he wrote “Do you want my autograph because when I become Blue Peter presenter, it’ll be worth something?”

The 27 year old is just one of those annoying people that excel at pretty much everything. As a Loughborough graduate, it’s no surprise that Radzi is also an accomplished athlete. Not satisfied with breaking county long jump records or achieving a national standard in karate, Radzi also competed on TV’s Gladiators. Later he turned his natural speed to the daredevil sport of Skeleton racing, proving his willingness to sacrifice everything for the ultimate goal. “I committed to Skeleton during my last year at Loughborough and then trained full time,” says Radzi, who also worked for the University’s Sports Development Centre after graduation. “I had to train in Bath regularly and also travelled to Germany, Salt Lake City and Norway. I wanted to compete in the Europa Cup, the entry level of the sport. Things culminated when I came top 10 in the GB trials in 2010/11 but was told to come back next year. It was then that I realised I couldn’t keep giving years of my life away.”

alumni profile: radzi CHinyanGanya “i was eaTinG miCrowavable riCe and Tinned maCkerel for four monTHs... nine monTHs laTer, i’m presenTinG blue peTer.”

“Growing up, I always wanted to be a Blue Peter

presenter. That sounds clichéd, but it’s a fact.”

Loughborough’s growing presence on the small screenThe recent appointment of Radzi Chinyanganya (Economics, 2009) as the latest presenter of the long running children’s TV show, ‘Blue Peter’ highlighted the growing number of Loughborough alumni currently working in the media.

Alumnus Ben Croucher caught up with Radzi to discuss his prestigious appointment and with fellow alumni Ore Oduba and Joe Tidy about their careers spent in front of the camera lens.

His first major breakthrough came early in 2013, fronting a new CBBC wildlife show, ‘Wild’. He didn’t know it at the time but ‘Wild’ would transform his career.

Radzi excelled at presenting ‘Wild’. After appearing at CBBC Live, he caught up with the influential Ewan Vinnecombe again. “I had a meeting with Ewan, just a catch up,” he recalls. “With him were the Controller and Commissioner of CBBC. I thought I was about to get the sack. All three of them never turn up together. They made me fill out a confidentiality agreement. Then they told me Helen Skelton would be leaving and would I like to be the 37th Blue Peter presenter? I cried my eyes out.”

Billed as one of the best jobs in the world, presenting Blue Peter is something that only 36 people have done. The 37th of that exclusive club is Loughborough alumnus Radzi Chinyanganya (Economics, 2009).

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alumnimagazine

We asked alumni involved in broadcasting to get in touch and let us know what their involvement was. Listed below are some of those involved, with a full list available online at www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/media

Bruce Parry (PE and Sports Science/Recreation Management, 1995) Bruce is a renowned documentary maker and presenter, known for his BBC productions Tribe and Amazon, which examine the lives of indigenous populations.

Mike Wedderburn (Sports Science, 1989) Mike presented on Channel 4 and ITV before joining Sky Sports in 1998. On Sky Sports News he usually presents Good Morning Sports Fans.

Lynsey Hooper (English and Sports Science, 2003) Lynsey is a sports presenter who has worked for Sky Sports, BBC, ITV and ESPN

newsround: THe sprinGboard for a media Career

From Royal Weddings to Olympic Games, they have reported the biggest stories in world news to prime time audiences of children. As they move onto pastures new, the duo reflect on how the BAFTA winning show has honed their presenting skills.

“Newsround teaches you good journalistic principles,” says Joe, who has moved to Sky News. “You don’t assume knowledge and learn ways to make boring topics exciting from a blank canvas.” Ore, who has recently been working for BBC Radio 5Live, adds, “People recognise that CBBC nurtures young talent. It is five years since I started and I’m still learning every day from a great team.”

Fronting the 42 year old programme has opened doors for the pair to branch into mainstream broadcasting, Joe reporting for BBC News and now Sky and Ore counting BBC Sport among his major credits.

“You’ve got to capitalise on the head start Newsround gives you,” Joe continues. “As you mature, you move away from your target audience. By leaving now, I’ll keep the momentum of my career going.”

So what of the future? Joe is building a career in television journalism at Sky, whilst Ore is expanding into radio work in addition to broadcasting with BBC Sport.

They are both grateful for the experience the Loughborough Students’ Union Media Centre was able to offer. “I would have been a lot worse off had it not been for Loughborough and the Media Centre,” says Ore.

“It’s been brilliant,” adds Joe. “Ore was my best mate at Newsround. We’ve got all those years of messing around in the Media Centre to look back on. We do have a good laugh.”

Ore concludes, “I am fortunate to have one of my best friends as part of the team. We will stay close and fly the Loughborough flag.”

ON AIRON AIR

roll Call

ore oduba (Sport & Social Sciences, 2008) and joe tidy (English, 2007) have regularly

presented newsround in recent years.

Specialising in sport, Ben Croucher is a broadcast journalist and writer currently working for the BBC.

A former Head of Loughborough Students’ Media (2010/11), he has gone on to host Diving, Water Polo and Wheelchair Basketball at London 2012, and to work full time for BBC Radio Kent.

Ben has met and interviewed many household names including Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince Charles and Dame Kelly Holmes and reported on national sport from around the country. bencroucher.co.uk

Radzi’s disbelief at this unbelievable offer still resonates, “I didn’t have to fight, it was just given to me. So many uncontrollable factors all came together. It was surreal.”

As fate would have it, his first project for Blue Peter was filming at Loughborough University. He credits the University with his development into the presenter and person he is today. “Loughborough Students’ Media gave me access to great facilities, equipment, equally ambitious people and a legacy of success. It was very inspiring.”

What are Radzi’s ambitions now? “I just want to do a phenomenal job but you can’t really plan it. Later in my career, I’ll look for opportunities in sport, hip hop or politics but my ambitions are focused exclusively on Blue Peter for now.”

And what would he say to other fledgling presenters? “My advice to others? Are you willing to accept that it may not happen? If you can embrace that and survive living a lifestyle beneath that of your friends for a while, you will achieve success. It’s easy to call it quits but you must be ready when the opportunity comes. If I’d been given Blue Peter when I first started at Loughborough, I would have bombed.”

That’s Radzi in a nutshell. Honest, driven and modest. Somehow Radzi, I don’t think you would have bombed.

abouT THe auTHor

R e g u l a r s

alumnimagazine Loughborough university

THE 2013-14 EVENTS SERIES IS NOW UP AND RUNNING WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO AN OCCASION SOON.

alumnievents

Coffee MorningsJOIn LOCAL rETIrED STAFF AnD FOrMEr STUDEnTS FOr InSIGHTFUL UPDATES On LOUGHBOrOUGH

The 2012-13 programme saw an amazing 500 attendees join us for 11 different Coffee Morning events covering a variety of topics from the Vice-Chancellor’s welcome to Optimising Sports Performance. Thank you to all who took part.

The 2013-14 calendar launched in September and is now well under way and we would love you to join us. There is something for everyone to enjoy from our annual Christmas Party and Summer Trip to updates on research in sports, ergonomics, social policy and the arts.

To find out more read a review of the most recent 2012-13 Coffee Mornings series, or to register for an upcoming event, please visit:

www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/coffeemornings

BOND (Business Opportunities for networking and Development)

IF YOU ArE LOOKInG FOr THE PErFECT OPPOrTUnITY TO ExPAnD YOUr BUSInESS COnTACTS, rEUnITE WITH FELLOW ALUMnI AnD HEAr KEYnOTE SPEAKErS FrOM ALL ArEAS OF BUSInESS, THEn BOND IS FOr YOU.

Last year’s programme was extremely well attended, especially the last BOnD event which took place in April where over 70 alumni heard Sir Clive Woodward speak about building a World Class team.

To find out more, please visit www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/bond

Alumni Challenge WeekendOVEr 150 ALUMnI TrAVELLED FrOM ALL OVEr THE COUnTrY TO rE-LIVE THEIr LOUGHBOrOUGH ExPErIEnCE PLAYInG In A VArIETY OF DIFFErEnT SPOrTS AGAInST THE CUrrEnT STUDEnTS’ TEAMS In MAY.

The overwhelming winners were the Alumni with a final score of 7-1. This marks the second year the Alumni have triumphed and takes the overall score to 2-2 since the first Alumni Challenge Weekend in 2010.

Alumni were able to enjoy a dedicated FND the night before, a relaxing hog roast after the events and then relive Hey Ewe in Fusion before venturing on to Echos to continue the celebrations.

For more details go to www.alumnichallenge.co.uk

Rutherford Hall – Cheese and Wine Evening Following the success of the Hall’s 50th birthday in 2012, the Warden, Dr Matthew Frost, would like to invite all former Hall students on Saturday 14 December for an enjoyable evening in the Dining Hall, sampling fine wine and cheese amongst friends.

To find out more, and to see who else is going, please visit:

www.rutherfordhall.co.uk/alumni.html

ANNOUNCEMENT For avid attendees and followers of

the Alumni Challenge Weekend – this event will not take place in 2014 but will return in 2015 with more sports,

more activities and more to offer than ever before. We look forward to

seeing you there!

Lufbra in…MEET UP WITH HALL, CLASS Or SPOrTS MATES FOr A DrInK AnD FInD OUT WHAT’S nEW AT LOUGHBOrOUGHThank you to the alumni and guests who joined us in October at the Theodore Bullfrog, Charing Cross.

We are looking to revamp the Lufbra in London series, so if have any thoughts on what you’d like to see at the next event, please email us at alumnievents@lboro.ac.uk

Don’t miss the next social on 24 April 2014. Find out more at: www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/lufbrain

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Loughborough university alumnimagazine

COMiNG Up iN 2013-14decemberUNIVERSITY CAROL SERVICE MONDAY 2ND (LOUGHBOROUGH)

RUTHERFORD HALL CHEESE AND WINE EVENING SATURDAY 14TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)

COFFEE MORNING – ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY WEDNESDAY 18TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)jAnuAryCOFFEE MORNING – UPDATE OF CAPITAL PROJECTS

WEDNESDAY 29TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)februAry COFFEE MORNING – ALUMNI TALK WEDNESDAY 26TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)mArchBOND – INNOVATION AT THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

TUESDAY 18TH (LONDON)LOUGHBOROUGH SPORTING CLUB ANNUAL DINNER FRIDAY 21ST (LOUGHBOROUGH)COFFEE MORNING – ERGONOMIC DESIGN FOR 21ST CENTURY TRANSPORT WEDNESDAY 26TH (LOUGHBOROUGH) AprilLUFBRA IN LONDON – SPRING THURSDAY 24TH (LONDON) COFFEE MORNING – INSIGHT INTO ENGLISH AND DRAMA WEDNESDAY 30TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)mAyLOUGHBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL ATHLETICS

SUNDAY 18TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)COFFEE MORNING – CREST WEDNESDAY 28TH (LOUGHBOROUGH)WWW.LBORO.AC.UK/ALUMNI/EVENTS

Chemical Engineering – Davis-Swindin Memorial LectureHeld in June, this public lecture entitled ‘Drinking Water Chemicals: Discoveries and Challenges’, was supported by a legacy gift from Norman Swindin, a pioneer of Chemical Engineering at Loughborough. It was well received by over 60 alumni, students and staff. To find out more about what’s happening at Chemical Engineering, please email h.j.briers@lboro.ac.uk

alumniReunion Weekends

SAVE THEDATE

MeMORiAL eveNtSEnglish and Drama – Bill Overton Memorial EventIn September, alumni and friends gathered to celebrate Bill Overton’s 36 year contribution to Literary Studies at Loughborough. The department would like to thank all those who attended. For more information about the Bill Overton Memorial Fund, please email billmemories@lboro.ac.uk

iNDepeNDeNt ReUNiONSLET US KnOW IF YOU AnD A GrOUP OF FrIEnDS ArE COMInG BACK TO CAMPUS, WE ArE HErE TO HELPIn the last few months, we have been happy to support:

Royce Hall 50th BirthdayPE & Handicraft 1961/2 – Dave Johnston (Physical Education, 1962)

Sports Technologies Institute 10th Anniversary

Civil Engineering 1963 – Chris Tunaley (Civil Engineering, 1963)

CREST 20th Anniversary1970s group – Nick Jakob (Physics, 1977)

Electrical Engineering 1960 – Dave Halstead (Electrical Engineering, 1960)

1973 intake group – Robert Ayling (Education/Economics, 1977)

To find out more about the help and advice we can offer you, or to take a look at

reviews from previous alumni-led reunions, visit:

www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/independent

2013 REVIEWIn SEPTEMBEr, OVEr 140 ALUMnI AnD GUESTS rETUrnED TO CAMPUS TO CELEBrATE 25, 30 AnD 40 YEARS SInCE LEAVInG LOUGHBOrOUGH. Alumni had the opportunity to re-live their student days by reuniting with the old friends, Hall mates and sport team members they shared great times with at Loughborough.The weekend was packed with a variety of activities from a fun pub quiz hosted by the Students’ Union and a smart gala dinner full of laughs, to a warm welcome from the Vice-Chancellor and fascinating talks and tours by departments who are continuing to lead in research and teaching.A full review of this special celebratory event can be found on the Alumni Association website www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/reunions

2014 SAVE THE DATEOn 12–14 SEPTEMBEr 2014, WE ArE InVITInG BACK THE CLASSES OF 1964 AnD ALL PrECEDInG YEArS TO CELEBrATE 50 YEArS AnD BEYOnD SInCE LEAVInG LOUGHBOrOUGH.Pop the date in your diary and tell all your old classmates. Don’t miss out on this special occasion to catch up with friends and the opportunity to share a story or two!

If you are interested in volunteering by being a Class Champion and getting alumni from your year to come along, please let us know by calling the Alumni Relations Team on 01509 228649 or by email at alumnievents@lboro.ac.uk

We all had such a fabulous time and met up with some old friends whom we didn’t

expect to ever see again

The tours were interesting and informative and brought back many happy memories

R e g u l a r s

alumnimagazine Loughborough university

Global Networks

In May, the Department of Materials hosted a special alumni evening in Singapore. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Department and its alumni and for old friends and academic staff to catch up.

It has been 35 years since the first Singapore student came to study at the Department and 25 years since the Institute of Polymer Technology and the Department of Materials Engineering joined together to form one department known for many years as IPTME and now known as the Department of Materials.

The event was attended by 35 former postgraduate students whose graduation years ranged from 1978 to 2012.

Representing the Department were Dr Noreen Thomas (pictured above far right) who is the current Postgraduate Programme Director, Anne Cullen, Postgraduate Programme Manager and Professor Marianne Gilbert (pictured above centre). Professor Gilbert has been involved with the Polymer MSc programme since 1970.

With a growing number of alumni living and working in Australia, it was decided to host the first alumni reunion in Sydney. The Opera Bar, set beneath the Opera House and with the Harbour Bridge in the background, was the ideal location to bring alumni together.

With a great blend of alumni from varying years, the group conversation quickly turned to hall associations; Royce, Cayley and Towers seemed to be the most well represented, and the usual levels of banter were exchanged across the group and a few old hall songs were sung!

The event was organised through a LinkedIn group created to build a network for alumni or undergraduates, moving to Australia either with their

current employer or on a working holiday visa. The Group is looking to contact people on the ground who may be able to shed some light on the best places to live, work and socialise.

The consensus of the Group was that each person who attended knew at least two or three other alumni in Sydney who would be interested in getting involved in the next event, The hope is that this event should have got the ball rolling for the Group to expand even further.

With a few of the alumni unable to attend due to their commitments to the Manly rugby team, it was decided that the next event should incorporate a trip to the rugby ground to watch the alumni in action and to join everyone for a few beers and a barbecue after the game.

More details to follow on the date and time of the event on the ‘Loughborough Alumni – Sydney Chapter’ group on LinkedIn.

department of materials reunion and distinguished Alumni Award, singapore

sydney reunion – june 2013

new alumni ambassador for indiaAman Dhall (Sports Management, 2011) is the newly-appointed alumni ambassador for India. He is co-founder of sport development organisation Pro4Sport Solutions, that he established along with his Loughborough classmate Suheil Tandon in 2011. Previously he was a successful financial journalist working with India’s leading business daily, The Economic Times. Early in his career, he also played table tennis at the national level in India and represented the provinces of Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

His passion for sport led him to quit his successful career as a journalist in 2010 to study sport management at Loughborough. During his time at Loughborough, where he studied for a masters, he was the sport secretary for the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and worked on a university-led project relating to the 2012 London

Our thanks go to Bryan Coughtrie for writing this review and for all involved in the organisation of the event.

How to get involved with our International Alumni Chapters

We have alumni ambassadors based in over 30 countries from Argentina to New Zealand, who coordinate regular events for alumni based there.For full details on a group local to you, visit www.lboro.ac.uk/alumni/international

No group in your country? Contact us at alumni@lboro.ac.uk for details on how to get involved.

Professor Gilbert, who is due to retire shortly, gave a short speech acknowledging the close relationship the Department has with Singapore Polytechnic and the success of the Polymer Masters programme in particular, as a progression route for graduates of the jointly developed Advanced Diploma in Polymer Technology.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr Jianhong Zhao for his contributions to scholarship in plastics and polymers and leadership in the field of materials in South Asia. Dr Zhao completed his PhD on ‘Solid state extrusion of polymers through convergent-divergent dyes’ in 1991 under the supervision of Dr Leno Mascia.

Games. As an athlete, he made a successful comeback to the sport of table tennis despite a six-year break, and played for Leicestershire as well as the University team during the 2010-11 season.

He was also an active volunteer at the University. He volunteered in the Sports Development Centre to raise the profile of sport and active recreation among University staff and students as well as the local community.

As an alumni ambassador, he is looking to re-connect alumni to the University by strengthening communication between the two through regular events. He is keen to set up an alumni association in India so that the experience and skills of the alumni can be leveraged to provide industry exposure and professional development opportunities to current students.

Loughborough Sporting Club

events – What’s been going on?2013 has been a busy year for Loughborough Sporting Club (LSC) with lots of events taking place courtesy of our Friends of Groups.

join usIf you’re not already a part of the Loughborough Sporting Club, a membership organisation aimed at giving you the opportunity to reconnect with old classmates, colleagues and sporting friends, you can join by visiting

www.loughboroughsport.com/ loughborough-sporting-club/

@LboroSportingC

Loughborough Sporting Club

Loughborough Sporting Club

In 1994 a young and upcoming fitness coach graduated (Sports Science and Recreation Management) from Loughborough University viewing the world as his oyster. In 2013 he now holds the title of Strength and Conditioning coach to the World Number 4 tennis player and Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray.

Jez Green has been Andy Murray’s physical conditioner for the past five years, following a 13 year career dedicated to working with professional

tennis players at all levels.

Between 1994 and 2002 Jez worked through the LTA coaching ranks before leaving to work as a freelance Physical Conditioning Consultant with various players on the circuit including Daniela Hantuchova, Anastasia Pivovarova, Kevin Anderson and Wesley Moodie.

This also included a spell in charge of physical conditioning at the Monte Carlo Tennis Academy.

“I was very proud to go to Loughborough as my grandfather went there too and ended up being an army PT instructor.

“My course was hugely influential to the future direction of my career. I remember principles of fitness and training with Dr Henryk Lakomy being very interesting to me, even though we had to do a few bleep tests throughout the course. Also I have referred back to Clyde’s (Williams) lectures at regular intervals during the last 18 years of travelling with tennis players.

“We were fortunate to have a very strong tennis team in the years I was there. We regularly won the UAU Championships, guided by Rod Thorpe and aided by players such as Jon Haycock, Tim Paton and even the LTA’s current Chief Executive Roger Draper. I remember the Friday night tennis sessions fondly…even if they were sometimes a precursor to a Friday night at the Union!”

Thanks Loughborough! Jez Green

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Courtesy of Rod Thorpe

Annual dinner and hall of fameFor the second annual Sporting Club dinner, former and current staff and students mingled as 12 shining lights of sport were inducted into the Loughborough Sport Hall of Fame

Guests included former 5,000 metre world record holder David Moorcroft and Arsenal’s goalkeeper from the 1971 ‘double’ winning season Bob Wilson, alongside current students including London 2012 Olympic Games triathlete Lucy Hall.

The evening concluded with a key note speech from the University’s new Director of Sport Peter Keen who said

“Six weeks into the job I finally got it! It’s the simple fact that you do sport here. You do it en masse, and you do more than anywhere else that you are likely to go. Sport is woven into the fabric of life here in the most extraordinary way”

With the success of the second Annual Hall of Fame Dinner we are proud to announce that on the 21st March 2014 we will again

be inducting many more influential men and women from the world of sport. To be a part of the evening please visit

www.loughboroughsport.com/loughborough-sporting-club

for regular updates on times, tickets and available spaces.

jez green, going from strength to strength

the friends of cricket group attended the Cheltenham Cricket Festival in July to watch the County Championship match between Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

The henley regatta event provided the perfect venue for LSC guests to relax, enjoy the racing, support the University team and to catch up with alumni and friends.

The loughborough international Athletics meeting offered more than world class athletics this year. A reception was held to induct three members into the Hall of Fame who unfortunately couldn’t attend the dinner earlier in the year. Coaching guru Charles Hughes (Physical Education, 1956) alongside Welsh rugby legends John Dawes OBE (Physical Education, 1963) and Ray Williams (Physical Education, 1944) all returned to campus to take their places in the Sport Hall of Fame.

Finally we were delighted that friends of football turned up en masse (50 former students) to compete in the Eddie Gregg tournament at the Alumni challenge Weekend in May.

Annual Hall of Fame Dinner 2014

alumnialumnimagazine Loughborough university

R e g u l a r s

volunteering and Coaching AcademyThe 2013/14 academic year sees the introduction of the Loughborough Sport Volunteering and Coaching Academies. Whether it is to further existing skills, gain valuable experience for future development or use the opportunity to make connections within the world of sport, both academies focus on student achievement within sport. With over 350 students signed up to the coaching academy and 280 to the volunteering academy, the aim to get more students involved in sport through avenues other than physical exertion, is proving successful.

“We believe it is the drive and desire of our coaches and volunteers that is the key to the success of Loughborough Sport. They are at the heart of everything we do, their achievements are unbelievable and it is our aim to support all of them and reward their hard work. Although a new programme, the concept of volunteering and coaching has shaped many former students careers and we hope to ensure this is carried forward for many generations to come.”

Karen Whitaker, Programme Coordinator

My Lifestyle programmeOpportunities to play sport, grow friendships and increase skills are now available to all students at Loughborough as part of a free programme of recreational sport activities, fitness classes and free to use campus facilities. The My Lifestyle programme has involved over 2,500 students in recreational sport or physical activity over the last 12 months, contributing to an overall increase in the participation rate of students partaking in activity at least once a week.

“My Lifestyle activities create a fun environment, free from competition, expectation and commitment and give users the opportunity to get physically active, stay healthy and play sport” says Dawn Cooper, Programme Director.

“We were ecstatic when we saw the figures from Sport England about our students’ engagement. With increasing fees we are fully aware of the growing importance sport plays in the student experience at University so therefore strive to ensure the best quality and opportunity of any institution in the country.”

The programme links closely with the Loughborough Sport Volunteering and Coaching Academies to provide opportunities for student coaches to deliver activities and coaching sessions to their peers, helping them to gain experience and develop skills that all contribute to their employability.

With everything from Zumba to Cardio Tennis, Beach Volleyball to Boxing all levels, experience and sporting needs are catered for, including a fully dedicated MySwim programme that has been developed alongside on-campus partner British Swimming. Campus running routes are promoted and information on leading a healthy lifestyle is provided to help students and other users of the University make the most of what Loughborough can provide.

LOUGHBOROUGH SPORT – IT’S IN OUR DNA“I am delighted to be introducing these sports pages to our alumni.

So far, during my time at Loughborough I have become acutely

aware of the unique position we are in, both in the UK, and further

afield, made possible by the sporting DNA that runs through the

University. Over many years, we have given so much to the world

of sport and I firmly believe that we are in a position to give even

more during the coming decade.

“For an institution that has correctly adopted the mantra ‘Where History

Begins’ the need to be clear about our core values, and work tirelessly to

live by them, is paramount.

“At Loughborough we are currently looking at the volume, cost and impact

of the sport experience we provide. We are also unlocking the potential

benefits to the University by underpinning what we do really well, tackling

critical areas of under-provision and embarking on new ventures that will

cement our University’s unique position in the higher education sector.

“As we start on this journey I would like to reach out to you for continued

support in our ambition to launch Loughborough into the stratosphere of

the global sporting community. Our vision to make Loughborough Sport

central to development, participation and performance of sport in the

UK can only be considered with your commitment and dedication to this

wonderful institution.”

Peter Keen, Director of Sport.

© Still Sport 2013

© Plumb Images

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sport

Loughborough University is pleased to announce that PwC will be sponsoring the Intramural Sports programme (IMS) during 2013 – 2014.

The exclusive sponsorship agreement supports the free sport programme of over forty different leagues and one day events. IMS includes sports from football and netball, hockey and badminton, to less mainstream events such as ultimate frisbee and ten-pin bowling.

Their support will enable the IMS programme to enhance the quality of the sporting experience and provide more opportunities for students to participate. Nick Wilkinson, Director of the IMS programme on campus said

“I am delighted that PwC have come in as the title sponsor for the IMS programme, they will be an invaluable source of support in the coming year. Having the most iconic professional services firm supporting the UK’s sporting powerhouse makes complete sense.”

Opportunities for involvement

If you are interested in finding out more about Sport at

Loughborough visit the website at loughboroughsport.com. We also have a Loughborough Sporting

Club which you can join to enjoy a whole host of benefits, just visit http://loughboroughsport.com/loughborough-sporting-club

to sign up.

pricewaterhouseCoopers sponsor iMS

Your part in performance SportPerformance at Loughborough is not all about what is left on the field of play, it is about the study, the sport and the student themselves.

Loughborough University is famed for its students’ international sporting achievements, its impact on the global sporting community through research and development and a reputation for producing some of the best sporting educators in the world. However, the background work required to achieve this is not always celebrated and would not be possible without donations to the Loughborough Sport Scholarship Fund.

The Athlete Support structure, guided by Loughborough Alumni Simon Wombwell, provides student athletes with the opportunity to learn about nutrition, psychology, and acquire general life skills. The programme also informs the students about anti-doping rules and allows them to access a large database of athlete mentors, each with their own experiences of sport, life and work. This structure provides the student athlete with the support to achieve their potential and build a future both within and away from sport.

Richard Dawson Smith, a GB hockey player who combined an MSC in Business Analysis and Management alongside training for the London 2012 Olympics states: “My student and sporting experience at Loughborough has been of the highest calibre. Going from being a mentee to having the opportunity to mentor new students on how they can combine a dual career has been great.

“The heading of our Performance Charter is ‘building a lifetime of success’, we aim to provide all our performance student athletes with the skills to define their path through life and the experiences and knowledge to be successful in their chosen fields. We offer a support service that will maintain and grow the number of Olympians, Paralympians and stars of business that develop at Loughborough University and following graduation.”

Simon Wombwell, Loughborough Sport, Education and Development Manager.

PwC is one of the world’s leading professional services organisations. From 158 countries, they advise some of the most successful organisations, entrepreneurs and private businesses and offer an incredible variety of career paths in areas such as Assurance, Tax, Consulting, Technology, Risk and Financial Advisory. Students themselves have voted PwC their Employer of Choice in the Times Top 100 survey for 10 years in a row.

Phil Harrold, Assurance Operations Partner based in the East Midlands, commented

“As an interviewer, I have often observed that those who have taken part in sports tend to be highly motivated, competitive and ambitious – three words I would associate with PwC. I am delighted to be supporting IMS at Loughborough this year, we have a long history of recruiting top talent from Loughborough University and our involvement with IMS recognises this.”

© Still Sport 2013

© Still Sport 2013

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© Still Sport 2013

alumnimagazine

F e a t u r e Daniel Sagués graduated from Loughborough in 2009 with an MSc

in Water and Waste Engineering. He works as a Water and Sanitation Technical referent for MSF (Doctors

without Borders), a worldwide organisation delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by

conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care.

He spoke with the Alumni Team about his experiences before, during and after Loughborough.

Life before Loughborough

“I was raised in Barcelona and studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Catalonia. After graduating, I worked as a Mechanical Engineer within the private sector for three years, but didn’t enjoy the dog eat dog nature of the industry.

“I first got involved with MSF at 25 – much younger than most – and was given a fantastic opportunity to go on a mission for them, put in charge of supplies in a very remote area of Darfur. I subsequently went on a series of six to nine month missions to DRC (Congo), Chad, and Zimbabwe, working very much in a ‘hands on’ capacity, organising the logistics, distributing supplies and helping to build water and sanitation facilities.

“It was a relief to be able to work in an environment where I could be a collaborator rather than a competitor and focus not on making profit but making people’s lives better.”

Coming to Loughborough

“During my missions for MSF, I was quickly promoted through the ranks towards becoming a co-ordinator – but I felt I needed to increase my knowledge and skill base to enable me to perform this role effectively. At 29, MSF offered to sponsor me to get the necessary qualifications, on the proviso that I returned to work for them after graduation.

“With the excellent reputation that the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) had, I chose to come to Loughborough to study a Masters in Water and Waste Engineering.

“Coming to Loughborough was a positive experience, with a lot of the restrictions I faced in humanitarian work lifted from me. I experienced a level of freedom you are unable to have in humanitarian work.

“I missed the openness of people I helped during my work with MSF. I feel this is the most important thing in life – what is happening around you. But I did manage to find kinship amongst like-minded individuals who were part of the course at Loughborough.”

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www.msf.org.uk

On working for MSF

“The experience and knowledge I gained from my time at WEDC meant that in my role managing Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, I was much clearer on what needed to be done and what was possible for me to do.

“I was subsequently offered a position as a ‘Watsan’( a water and sanitation expert), flying into countries and establishing what was needed in terms of logistics, materials and resource to improve situations for those communities affected.

“Whilst the core of MSF’s operations are medical, logistics teams play a big part in ensuring that medical staff can do their jobs properly. This includes the construction of medical facilities, but also drafting a list of scheduled requirements needed to be in place before medical treatment can start and establishing ways in which the spread of disease can be prevented.

“In my current role as an advisor, I coordinate the activity of two ‘Watsans’, who feedback to me as their coordinator, but who also give advice to field workers in the affected areas on the best course of action.

“I miss the hands-on aspect of the work I did when first carrying out missions for MSF, but I understand that the work I do is very important and when I see the results from the work done by the two advisors I coordinate, it shows the bigger picture is most important.”

Education is key

“The lack of relevance people give to water sanitation as a means of preventing disease is frustrating. People look towards the medical intervention carried out by MSF, but less at the preventative side and miss what can be achieved through this.

“Education is key to this and we need to teach people ways in which they can protect themselves from disease. Simple techniques such as rubbing hands with ash where people cannot afford soap, will achieve the same results.

“WEDC are a very friendly organisation, always approachable and always willing to help in any way they can. They have vast resources and knowledge which invariably means they are able to offer solutions to problems I may be having. They have also developed networks within the field which I have been able to utilise from time to time.

“I try to ensure that water sanitation is included in all our support programmes. It has an impact on so many areas of life, both physically and psychologically and it is essential that this is consistently promoted.

“One of the biggest challenges facing MSF is the repetition needed to affect change. Getting the message across of how long term solutions such as building a well can benefit communities affected by them for the long term takes a lot of time.

“It is also essential that those we help buy into their role in supporting a long-term sustainable solution. They not only have to be involved in developing the infrastructure we help to put in place, but maintain this after MSF has gone.”

The effects of being in a remote environment

“In the beginning, everybody suffers. It takes time to adapt and your expectations have to adapt to your environment. Sharing a compound with up to 30 new faces takes time to get used to.

“If you get along with the team you are working with, it can be an extremely enjoyable experience. My personal experiences of working within these teams have been very good.

“Security is a big issue and you have to be wary of the dangers and adhere to the stringent guidelines in place to protect you. There have been serious incidences where colleagues have been involved – the worst of these being two colleagues who were kidnapped in Somalia for two years, but finally released just a couple of months ago thanks to the huge efforts of our dedicated ‘crisis management team’.

“When you come back from missions and question whether it is worth carrying on in the face of such apparent adversity, you remain motivated by the thought that if you are not there to support these communities, who is going to help them in their battle to survive?”

A sense of achievement

“During my first mission as a ‘Watsan’ in Chad, I was tasked with developing a strategy to improve clean water supply for a few drought-affected communities. Rather than implement a solution independent of the community, I negotiated with them, taking into account the communities needs and requirements but also getting them to take ownership and buy into the project.

“It is essential that communities can learn to be self-sufficient and maintain the measures and facilities we help put in place to provide them with long term preventative measures against disease, including finding ways to resource this when we have gone. My current advisory role represents the pinnacle of my career and gives me the chance to make a real difference in the support that we (MSF) provide. There have been many missions in Iraq, Haiti, Uganda, Palestine, Colombia, Yemen that each have their own relevance and importance. I hope by being involved in all of these missions, I have helped to make a difference in some way. The future will hopefully mean I get the freedom to develop my own ideas and continue to improve the situation for communities in the countries I am involved with, and keep enhancing the quality of the service MSF carries out for the most vulnerable population.”

Life after Loughborough

R e g u l a r s

50s 60s 70s

alumnimagazine Loughborough university

After being trained at Loughborough Teacher Training College, Terence Lott (Handicraft, 1959) taught in Swindon for five years. He then moved to a private school in the suburbs of New York for the remainder of his career. After retiring, Terence and his wife bought a house on a hill overlooking Carcassonne in the South of France. Living in France was a memorable experience and they spent a lot of their time keeping teacher friends back in America acquainted by email with the differences in their new life.

After encouragement from friends, Terence decided to publish the couple’s unusual stories. His book ‘Living in France, Sacred Blue!’ is now available through Amazon.

Roger Burrell (Physical Education, 1954) and wife Gillian, née Crane (Loughborough High School, School of Librarians, 1954) recently attended the French Masters Long Course swimming champs in Antibes.

Gillian celebrated her 79th birthday with a 1st place in the 75-79 age group 100m butterfly; and also gained another 1st in the 50m butterfly and three 2nds in freestyle.

Roger competed in the 80-84 years group and won five events. Roger also holds 18 British records, Long and Short course, in this age group and still holds two in the 75-79 group.

Derek Croome was a Senior lecturer in Civil Engineering from 1967 to 1978.

He is currently Professor Emeritus in Architectural Engineering at Reading University and was recently awarded a DSc honoris causa from the University of Debrecen. In June, Derek undertook a work tour of South Africa to present the Dreosti Memorial Lecture and ended the year having two books on Intelligent Buildings published.

John ‘Mike’ Glover (Physical Education, 1964) was awarded the OBE in the June 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to Water Polo. Many congratulations go to John on this award.

A series of coincidences and chance encounters led to this group meeting up at an airfield in Hampshire.

Jane Gifford née Giffin, Caryle Webb-Ingall née Wiseman, Marguerite Colbeck, John Dowsett (all Humanities and Technology 1971) and Logan Colbeck (B.Tech, 1968; Human Sciences, 1972).

Jane, very typically for those who remember her, flew in from Essex, Caryle came by train from London, Marguerite and Logan drove from Hampshire and John from Dorset.

Over a pub lunch the group reminisced about the Ents. Committee and Union politics and the amount of work and hours of attendance required compared to students today! Now mostly retired, the group have time to reflect back on those days and wonder what has happened to the rest of the humanities and technology cohort.

The New Zealand Football Association has awarded Life Membership to Loughborough alumnus Barrie Truman (Physical Education, 1960) for Meritorious Services to football in New Zealand.

Barrie arrived in New Zealand in 1970 to take up the position of New Zealand Football Association Director of Coaching and National Team Coach. Barrie brought to New Zealand his experience as a player at non-league clubs Grantham Town and Wigan Athletic and coaching experience as an EFA Staff Coach and Coach for England Grammar Schools.

Our congratulations go to Barrie for this thoroughly deserved recognition.

L-R: Jane Gifford née Giffin, Caryle Webb-Ingall née Wiseman, Marguerite Colbeck, John Dowsett and Logan Colbeck

PLEASE kEEP US UP-TO-DATE WITH YOUR NEWS...EMAIL US AT ALUMNI@LBORO.AC.Uk

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Loughborough university alumnimagazine

Graham Cain

Antony Bell

Deborah Tyler-Bennett (English, 1985) has published ‘Turned Out Nice Again’ with King’s England Press (www.kingsengland.com). It’s Deborah’s first book of short stories, her previous books include four collections of poetry. The interlinked stories are set in the 1940s, and concern a girl called Beryl Potter. Beryl is forbidden to appear on the stage by her Mum, despite the fact that her Uncle, Billy Bean, is a rising comedy star. Due to a family tragedy, Beryl goes to live with her Uncle and his show business associates, becoming part of the world her Mum disapproved of. The stories are connected by a host of characters, including Grandwem Win, Beryl’s champion, and her budgie, George Formby, as well as a host of acts, such as female impersonator Glamourous Gus De Grace, and Big Frank Kelly and his Variety of Voices.

Richard Thornley (Production Engineering, 1988) was awarded a CBE in the last Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to British business in Japan and UK/Japan industrial partnership in his role as President of Rolls-Royce Japan.

Eleni Theodoraki (PE and Sports Science, 1989) has secured a research grant of $250,000 by the Qatar Foundation to look at how the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar will inspire change in the host nation, which suffers from high rates of diabetes and obesity, as well as a high per capita carbon footprint.

Henry De Silva (Physical Education and Sports Science, 1988) has forwarded the picture below showing him carrying the Olympic torch during the 2012 Games. In the same year, Henry was also given a special award for services to fencing. He is President of British Veterans Fencing.

Congratulations to alumnus Graham Cain (Mechanical Engineering, 1974) who has recently become the Racketlon World Champion for the 60+ age category.

Racketlon is a fast growing new sport, which is played across the disciplines of badminton, table tennis and squash.

At the end of 2011, Graham heard about Racketlon and by the end of 2012 was persuaded to have a go. In addition to his world championship, Graham has won several other international medals.

Since leaving Loughborough Antony Bell (Languages, Politics and Economics of Modern Europe, 1972) has become a recognised thought leader on leadership, a sought-after speaker, a published author (Great Leadership: What it Is and What It Takes in a Complex World, 2006 & 2011, and The Clock Tower – A Story About the Three Critical Elements of Effective Leadership, 2007), a contributor to leadership journals (e.g. Leader to Leader), the CEO of Leader Development, Inc. (www.leaderdevelopmentinc.com), and a sought-after executive coach who has coached hundreds of leaders in their pursuit of great leadership.

Mahmoud Hamzeh Dalibalta (Advanced Chemical Engineering, 1978) worked at Metito Saudi Arabia in water and waste water treatment for two years. In 1982 he moved to Medreco Refinery in Lebanon and is now Refinery and Technical Affairs Manager at Zahrani Oil Installations (formerly part of Medreco). Loughborough played a significant role in his character development and how he deals with problems in his daily life. He is married to Mary and is a father of three: Khaled (29), Nader (27) and Leen (21).

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Life after Loughborough

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alumnimagazine Loughborough university

Good friends David Wicks (Sports Science, 1998) and James Willford (Engineering Science and Technology, 1999) of Faraday Hall both appeared in the August edition of ‘Electronics Weekly.’

After gaining many friends in engineering at Loughborough, David has made a career in finding the best engineers to work with the most exciting companies to develop the smart phones and networks of the future. He is currently MD and owner of niche technology specialist, European Recruitment, which launched in 2009. Featured in the same edition, James built on his engineering science and technology foundation to develop a career in Power Electronics first in North America and now Germany.

In ‘Electronics Weekly,’ David explored the importance of mobility in pursuing the most rewarding jobs in technology. In the same publication, James discussed the next generation of high energy density digital power supplies for industrial applications. The two friends were shocked to see a picture of the other in the same edition!

You can find out more about their two companies here: www.eu-recruit.com and www.programmablepower.com

Chris Stuart (Library and Information Studies, 1998) has been awarded a PhD in Theology by the University of Durham. Congratulations on six years hard work.

Stephen Summerfield (Chemistry, 1993) was appointed as Visiting Lecturer at Loughborough in 2003. He brings analytical chemistry alive in his ‘Thurmaston Murder Mystery’ exercise for undergraduate chemists; and ‘Launch a Lab’ and ‘Tales of the Riverbank’ case studies for students on the MSc Analytical Science course. These teacher aids were developed from his 2000-2002 SAC Fellowship awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry and his subsequent experience as a technical manager of a number of chemical companies. He graduated with a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Loughborough University in 1993. For the last few years, he has been Senior Regulatory Chemist at Peter Fisk Associates in Canterbury dealing with chemical safety and REACH regulations. He is also editor of the Smoothbore Ordnance Journal, has written over 20 books on military history and is still a keen cricketer. http://lboro.academia.edu/StephenSummerfield

After returning from V.S.O in Northern Nigeria in 1970, Rod Cooper (Geography and Physical Education, 1996) was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia but has leant to live with the condition with medical support.

In 1980 Rod found happiness and married Astrid, a marriage which lasted 24 years until Astrid’s death from cancer in 2004.

Although his health problems surface from time to time, Rod has been involved in a variety of work activities including being a member of the Royal Geographical Society, teaching in many grammar schools and writing journal articles, the most notable being ‘My Everest: The Psychology of High Intent’ published by the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education in 2011. At present, Rod retains an interest in psychology and in the therapeutic work of the Outward Bound Trust and retains strong links with the schools in which he worked. In 2010, Rod married Gill, a day celebrated with over 100 guests and well-wishers.

Far from being a hindrance to his wellbeing, Rod believes his experiences have improved his understanding of the human psyche and have made him a more rounded person and better teacher!

David Wicks and James Willford

We are always happy to hear from alumni about their Life after Loughborough.

If you have news you would like to share with your alumni community, then please get in touch at alumni@lboro.ac.uk and we will do our best to include your story.

Share your news with us!

Rod Cooper

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Loughborough university alumnimagazine

Loughborough alumnus Christopher English (Fine Art, 1994) showcased his work at Leicester’s New Walk Museum and Gallery in April 2013 in a solo exhibition of his art and poetry completed between 1970 and 2009.

Christopher’s oil paintings embody a visual interpretation of his poetry. He weaves together tales with both meaning and ambiguity. His poetry is the starting point to his paintings, with a booklet of poems also included in the exhibition.

Christopher, now lives in Loughborough, but has spent part of his artistic career in Yorkshire. He attended Loughborough University School of Art and Design and has contributed work to many group exhibitions over the past 40 years. The exhibition at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery was his first ever solo show.

Throughout his life, Christopher has dealt with a disabling condition which has restricted his movement. In 2009 his disability finally prevented him from continuing to paint. No longer able to paint he wanted to share his work in this retrospective solo exhibition.

Christopher English’s artwork

Phil Sawdon left Loughborough University’s School of The Arts as a Senior Lecturer in 2011 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship.

In July 2012 he married Professor Marsha Meskimmon, also from the School of the Arts, and the two are co-authoring a book for publication in 2014.

Phil remains very much involved in various projects with Loughborough University colleagues including editing the third book in a series with Russell Marshall from Loughborough Design School and as a director of TRACEY drawing and visualisation research in the School of the Arts.

David Fricker (Computer Science, 2005) and Gemma Fricker née Watts (Industrial Design and Technology, 2006) are happy to announce the arrival of Joshua David Fricker born on 29 January 2013.

David and Gemma met on their first day at Loughborough in William Morris Hall in 2002 and were married in 2010.

Phil Sawdon and Marsha Meskimmon

Vanessa Wai Kwan Leung

Joshua David Fricker

Adam Griffiths (Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management, 2010) was nominated for Construction Industry Young Achiever of the Year in 2012.

During his course, Adam was sponsored by Bovis – LendLease, a major construction company. His third year was spent on a placement with the company on a Ministry of Defence project in Bristol and he joined the company as a management trainee after graduating. Adam worked with a £7million budget and impressed so much that he was moved in 2012 to a bigger project at Bulford Camp on Salisbury Plain, working for the Ministry of Defence.

Vanessa Wai Kwan Leung (Computer Science, 2010) was selected to represent Hong Kong in the 2013 Lacrosse World Cup.

Wayne Reynolds (Geography, 2003) has been named as a Rising Star (business entrepreneur) for 2013 for the Wales Business Insider magazine. Wayne is Director, of Atriarc, a planning and construction company. He is also trustee of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) and its representative on the Construction Industry Council, and advocate for the Design Commission for Wales.

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alumnimagazine Loughborough university

We have a number of ways in which you can make contact with each other – through attendance at one of our many events, via the search facility on our website or through searching the various social media sites we have a presence on.

Getting back in touch with old friends

Where are they now?

Stuart Gent (Sport Management, 2013) has launched a specialist graduate recruitment platform called Gradseeker. Graduates sign up for free and create a profile. Graduate recruiters then have access to the database to contact graduates with suitable job vacancies which match their skills and degree qualification. For more information, visit www.gradseeker.co.uk

Jessica Harries-Wood (2009, Fine Art Photography) became Jessica Simpson on Friday 2nd August after marrying Adam Simpson at St John’s Church, Hazelwood, Derbyshire. The ceremony was followed by dinner and dancing on Hazelwood Village Green.

Melissa Clarke née Masson (Systems Engineering, 2007) married her Loughborough sweetheart Oliver Clarke (Computer Science and E-Business, 2007) on the 22nd June 2013 at Llangoed Hall in mid Wales, near Melissa’s family home.

They met through mutual friend Mehdi Abdelhak (Systems Engineering, 2008) after graduating on the same day in July 2007.

Other alumni at the wedding were Melissa’s brother Euan Masson (Computing and Management, 2005) and Oliver’s sister Sophie Clarke (PGCE, Design and Technology, 2010), ushers William Eaton (Computer Science and E-Business, 2007) and Ross Clarke (Automotive Engineering, 2013), Andrew Phelan (Computing and Management, 2007), Nick Collins (Computer Science and E-Business, 2007), Samuel Roberts (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 2008), Catherine Mitchell (Mathematics, 2007) and Aaron Littlefield (Physics, 1999).

Stewart Flaherty (Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2004) is Head Coach at Bates College for Men’s Soccer. The school is on the Forbes List of the top 11 schools in the USA.

Stewart is also Lead Assistant of a PDL team in Maine. PDL is the top amateur level of soccer in America, and his team has produced 16 professionals in the past three years.

Fiona English née Levey (Drama and Theatre Studies, 2009) married Graeme English (Mechanical Engineering, 2010), having met at Open Heaven church in Loughborough. They married in Cambridge on 1st June 2013.

We are often asked by alumni to put them back in touch with classmates and friends who were part of their time at Loughborough. Unfortunately, we don’t always have contact details to facilitate this.

This is where you come in. If you are in contact with any of the people mentioned below, please get in touch.

We would also like to hear from alumni who have contact details for alumni they know we are out of touch with.

For more details, contact us at alumni@lboro.ac.uk

Richard Newton (Economics with a minor, 1995)

If anybody knows the whereabouts of Richard, then please contact John Crewe (Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying, 1998). John is still in touch with other classmates from Loughborough, and would like to get back in contact with Richard if possible.

You can reach John at jcdasha@hotmail.com

Allen Clegg (Politics, History and International Relations, 1979)

Please get in touch with Frank Gahan (Creative Design with Education, 1979) if you know the whereabouts of Allen, or are a member of the volleyball team that first created the University club in the mid – late 1970s.

You can contact Frank at gahan_frank@yahoo.co.uk

Fiona English (née Levey) and Graeme English

Melissa Clarke née Masson and Oliver Clarke

Jessica Harries-Wood and Adam Simpson

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Obituaries

Loughborough university alumnimagazine

Charles Burnup (Physical Education, 1944) moved to England from Canada in 1931. He graduated from Loughborough with distinction in teacher training and represented the athletics, gymnastics, hockey and basketball teams.

Charles had a love of sport, working as a PE teacher and for the Sports Council. He was an exceptional athletics coach, counting Lynn Davies and Ron Pickering amongst his friends.

He loved the outdoor life and was a keen sailor and mountaineer. He leaves a daughter Sue and grandsons Shaun and Alex.

Ian Chichester-Miles (Aeronautical Engineering, 1946) Ian designed and built the world’s first high-performance personal jet, a four-seater that he financed out of his own pocket. The twin-jet Leopard was about the size of a Spitfire.

Geoff Corlett (Physical Education, 1950) died on 22 August 2012.

Geoff enjoyed a long and happy career at St Paul’s College, Cheltenham. He retired from the College in 1983 and with his wife Jean returned to his native Isle of Man.

In 2008, he received an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Gloucestershire, and in 2009 was awarded an honorary degree by Loughborough University. Geoff also wrote several books and did much for charity.

He is greatly missed by his family and friends.

R Alan Davis (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1966). Alan resided in Rutherford during his time at Loughborough.

Dennis Dowdeswell (Industrial Chemistry, 1941) was a fellow and member of many institutions and associations in his field.

Dennis worked for the MoD on issues such as camouflage, improved runway surfaces and bullet resistant surfacing for shipping decks. There are British and American patents in his name.

He was one of very few people privileged to be allowed to study the chemical composition of moon rock.

John Douglas (Electrical Engineering, 1943)

William Fraser (Physical Education, 1968)

Geoffrey Gowan (Physical Education, 1951) passed away in May. Husband of the late Rhoda (Tyson) Gowan, he will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his daughter, Susan; son, Simon and grandchildren, Erica, Andrew, Mackenzie and Shelby. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Geoffrey excelled as a track and field athlete and coach He competed in the long jump and triple jump at both county and university levels. As a coach, his athletes won medals on the track in Olympic, Commonwealth, European and World Student Games.

After graduating from Loughborough Geoffrey moved to Canada. He joined the Coaching Association of Canada in 1972, serving as technical director and later President until 1996.

He will probably be best known to the general public in Canada as a sports commentator on the CBC channel, covering all major sporting competitions.

Geoff was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada and received other sporting accolades.

Brian Harle (Civil Engineering, 1965)

Katherine Howard née Gibbons (Drama, 2003)

Nassib Lahoud (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1968) was a Lebanese-Christian political figure. He held various posts including Minister of State, Member of Parliament and Ambassador to the United States of America. He was also head of the Democratic Renewal Movement and a leading figure in the March 14 coalition, which nominated him as their presidential candidate when they held the parliamentary majority in 2008. His election was vetoed by Hezbollah and its allies. Upon his death, Nassib Lahoud was referred to

as the ‘President of our dreams’ by Hezbollah’s opponents as well as journalists and prominent members of civil society.

Graham Lester (Electronic and Electrical Engineering, 1968)

Professor Martin Lowson From 1969 to 1973, Professor Lowson was the Rolls-Royce Reader in Fluid Mechanics at Loughborough.

Mark Powell (Aeronautical Engineering 1985) died suddenly on 11th September and is sadly missed.

He is remembered as the enthusiastic Student Chairman at the ‘Holt’. Mark worked briefly at BAe before joining the RAF, flying in Hercules and Nimrod aircraft. Later Lecturing at the Ops.School, RAF Shawbury.

In retirement, was the National Award winning Project Manager for the ‘Wheels to Work’ programme.

Matthew Akpoge Obande (Chemical Product Design, 2007; Chemical Engineering, 2011)

Matthew suffered a fatal cardiac arrest whilst playing basketball on 28th April. He had been appointed as a lecturer in Nigeria and had been successful in securing a grant to study means of reducing postharvest losses of staple crops – a topic to which he felt very committed at all levels. A powerfully built, gentle and devout man Matthew made many friends and will be sorely missed.

Owen Van Reyk (Van) (Mechanical Engineering, 1948) died June 2013. Van Arrived in England by troopship from India in 1945. He loved his time at Loughborough and the alumni reunions. He was particularly proud of returning for the degree ceremony a few years ago. His wife, children and grandchildren will all miss a kind and generous, if a little old fashioned, gentleman.

Robin Pemberton-Billing (Handicraft, 1959)

Robin became a drama teacher on leaving Loughborough, deciding to put his ideas into practice with a group of his students by founding the innovative Octagon Theatre in Bolton. It was the first new professional theatre to be built in the North West since the Second World War, and had a flexible layout that allowed seating to be rearranged at will.

William Polmeer (1938)

Michael Roper (Chemical Engineering, 1966) died on February 28th 2013 after a bone marrow transplant. Mike was also awarded a PhD from the University of Nottingham. Our sympathy goes to wife Carolyn and family.

Arthur Rutherford (Physical Education, 1954)

Thomas (Alan) Sayers (Physical Education, 1957)

Geoff Stephenson (Production Engineering and Management, 1971)

After an 18 month battle against cancer Geoff Stephenson died on 22nd June 2013. Geoff graduated from Loughborough University in 1971 and became a Chartered Engineer in 1974 whilst working for British Leyland. He married in 1969 but had no children. Geoff had always been interested in the ‘Green Movement’ and became a partner in ‘Chalkline Energy’. He did voluntary work for Friends of the Earth and stood for election to be a Hillingdon Council Member for the Green Party. Geoff retired in 2001.

Simon Tulitt (Economics and Economic History, 1973)

Simon passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday 31st May 2013 at Royal Derby Hospital. Dearly beloved husband to Jan, father to Philip, Frances and Sam and son of Coral. Greatly missed by many.

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