Alumni Advisory Board: A year in review

Two people sitting at a bench chatting

Oliver Sidwell pictured with an alumnus at the Alumni Reunion Weekend

The Alumni Advisory Board (AAB) is made up of representatives of our graduate community around the world.

In the last academic year, led by outgoing Alumni President Oliver Sidwell, the Board met online four times. They shared advice and insights on topics relating to university strategy, alumni events, and were part of market research activity.

Each year members of the Board get involved with activities outside of the meetings. As six of our members leave the Board following the completion of their terms, we look back on the year 2021-22 and share a few highlights.

In September 2021, the Board welcomed five new members, Edith Alusa, Elizabeth Byrne, Emma Fu, Patrick KK Lee, and Danielle Sharpe. They represent alumni based in Kenya, the UK, the USA, Hong Kong, and Singapore, respectively.

A month into her role on the Board, Edith shared an insight into what Black History Month means to her, and how she can use her influence as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board to help support the University’s ongoing race equity work.

Patrick Lee has led the monthly Hong Kong meet-ups, recommencing some in-person meets again. He was also involved in the Southwest China Reunion in February, as part of a visit from university staff.

In April, Oliver gave his Personal Best: My Story talk at the London campus, sharing his business journey and insights with students. Students from Loughborough travelled down to Loughborough University London for the day where he met students who he later mentored. He was also involved in an enterprise panel for LU Inc.

Amy Ward gave a keynote talk at the Future Space event for London students in March and in May she delivered a talk to prospective students about why she chose Loughborough. She also delivered an Alumni Masterclass to SBE on choosing a career in the Graduate Employment Market.

In May, Yasamin Fozouni travelled to New York to be part of the first USA dinner since before the covid-19 pandemic. She co-hosted the meet with the Dean of the School of Business and Economics, Professor Jan Godsell.

Alumnus Alex Laybourne brought together a group of Falk-Egg alumni to fund an Opportunity Scholarship to support an under-represented student. The scholarship was set up for a student who began their studies in 2021 and had chosen Falk Egg as their hall of residence.

Dr Luke Stott and Karen Whittingham spoke at the Careers in Marketing panel event, and Danielle also gave a student-facing guest lecture as part of a careers event.

Alan Vaughan Thomas spoke at an event in March supporting the parents and guardians of prospective students considering their higher education options.

Aisha Adedeji was named on the HERoes Top 100 Women Future Leaders list 2021 in September and is looking forward to sharing her story with students in the coming months.

Oliver and Alex teamed up with Jack Needham to support the planning of the Alumni Reunion Weekend, which took place in May (pictured). The trio supported the Engagement Team with ideas for the weekend, which included a range of family-friendly activities.

Earlier this year Dr Luke Stott was named President of the Alumni Association, ready to begin his term of office on 1 September. Oliver, who alongside his role with the Advisory Board has been a member of University Council and on the Board for Imago, completes his term as President 31 August. We also bid farewell to outgoing AAB members Alex Laybourne, Dana Nassif, Jack Needham, Alan Vaughan Thomas, and Karen Whittingham.

Thank you to everyone for their time and commitment.