Alumni Advisory Board: 2024 year in review

Two people. A student holds a microphone whilst Amy Ward speaks.

Over the last academic year (2023/2024) Alumni President Dr Luke Stott has led the Alumni Advisory Board (AAB). As the year ends, we take a moment to reflect on the Board’s achievements, initiatives, and the impact they have made on our alumni community and the University.

A group of women standing together

During the year members attended four meetings where they received key strategic updates on topics from the University’s Core Plans. Members were able to provide feedback and an alumni perspective on the topics covered which included insights into global activity and marketing. 

Our Board members also support a range of activities throughout the year as volunteers.      

Amy Ward supported our Alumni Reunion Weekend 2024 in May and gave a short welcome speech to kickstart the weekend. She talked about her personal connection to the University and encouraged others to engage with Loughborough by sharing their expertise and being a strong advocate for the University. 

In February, alumnae were invited to a Women’s Networking event at offices of IG near Cannon Street station. Emma Barrat, Partner at Prefcap and member of the Alumni Advisory Board was on the panel where she shared her own career experiences. As the Board Champion for women’s opportunities, she has been working to support this area of alumni activity.  

Alongside Emma, a number of other Board Champion roles have been allocated to members of the AAB. These members of the Board will act as key points of contact and will offer strategic advice and practical support to a range of areas, in line with the University strategy, Creating Better Futures. Together.  

Iain Murdoch, who joined the Board last September, represents the Climate Change and Net Zero (CCNZ) strand. With his career background in the energy sector, and in his current role at Shell as Trading and Supply – Global Project Engineer, he is passionate about supporting a future towards Net Zero. Iain will shortly be meeting key members of staff from the university to hear more about the University’s strategic goals for CCNZ 

Ian Wilding is our champion for Enterprise. In his role, he’ll support entrepreneurial activity across the careers and enterprise ecosystem. Iain is ideally placed to support this area as he is currently Founder and CEO of Hangar 75 and is a well-known expert in digital strategy, financial services, and entrepreneurship, 

Rachel Spacey, with a background in higher education and the charity sector, is supporting the University’s Vibrant and Inclusive Communities activity. Rachel has already commented on the University’s plans for this area and will be meeting up with the University’s in-house team to discuss initiatives over the coming months. 

Further Board Champions will be announced, with other members supporting activity as volunteers and advisers throughout the year.  

Completing their three-year terms on the Board, we thank Edith Alusa, Elizabeth Byrne, Emma Fu and Danielle Sharpe. 

Liz Bryne’s departure from the Board coincides with starting her own coaching business, The Other 67. With 25 years of experience as a senior leader in international business, she is offering organisations the opportunity to support and advance their people through individual coaching solutions, leadership development sessions and high performing team workshops.  

Thank you to our members of the Alumni Advisory Board who continue to give their time and provide support to our vibrant alumni community. 

We welcome three new Board members who will serve three-year terms. Check out our announcement for more details.