Alumni Magazine/Ezine Summer 2014

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CONNECTED STAY to your Alumni Association

A new chapter Introducing our new Vice-Chancellor

A window to the past Take a look at London Met’s stained glass tribute to our WW1 heroes

Summer 2014

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Welcoming Professor John Raftery Professor John Raftery is the new Vice-Chancellor of London Metropolitan University. He took over from Professor Malcolm Gillies on Friday 1 August.

Professor Raftery has big plans for the University. He said: “Joining London Metropolitan and taking forward the University’s strong mission in an increasingly marketised environment is an appealing challenge and I look forward to serving the University.

“In the next couple of years we will need to deliver a significant programme of academic development and performance improvement to strengthen our competitive appeal to communities in and beyond the capital city to applicants, students and alumni.” Clive Jones, London Metropolitan’s Chair of Governors, said: “John Raftery joins us after a very successful spell at Oxford Brookes where he has served as Pro Vice-Chancellor for the past nine

years. We are delighted to secure such an outstanding academic and university administrator to succeed Professor Malcolm Gillies. “John’s academic leadership along with his experience leading a well-regarded university’s development of Student Experience, a modernised portfolio, and his combination of commercial and humanitarian experience stood out to the appointment panel as a good fit to our own priorities and development plans.” Professor Janet Beer, Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes, said: “John has led the continued improvement of the quality of the student experience at Oxford Brookes University. His work has produced real results for our students and the organisation as a whole. I wish him every success for the future.”

The start of a new chapter...

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So long, farewell... On Wednesday 23 July the University community came together to wish Professor Malcolm Gillies well in his retirement. Malcolm, who was appointed Vice-Chancellor in November 2009, officially left London Met on 31 July.

Malcolm plans to pursue his musical interests and take on some work in the US, but he will be staying in London for the time being and is looking forward to some well-earned rest.

“I want to thank all of you for your hard-work during my time here,” he said. “We’ve been involved in some wonderful endeavours, as well as some challenges, but we are moving forward as an institution. I encourage all of you to continue in that process.

“With our history going back to 1848, we have too much to lose as an institution, as well as so much to gain. Our access mission is incredibly important and so it is vital that we continue in this role.”

Malcolm was also optimistic about the institution’s future under new Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Raftery.

“You have a good leader of the institution in John, so please support him as he takes the University forward. I know that with him at the helm, supported by Peter McCaffery (Deputy Vice-Chancellor) and Paul Bowler (Deputy Chief Executive), the institution is in very safe hands.”

Peter McCaffery gave a warm speech at the gathering, held in the Graduate Centre on Holloway Road, and wished Malcolm the very best for the future.

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This year’s summer graduation ceremonies took place on Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 July at London’s Barbican Centre. Over 2,000 students graduated from the University’s four faculties in front of their friends and families. Four honorary doctorates were also given out to The Kinks frontman Ray Davies, businessman Brian Dive, scientist Dr David Adebimpe and corporate social responsibility expert Dr Michael Hopkins.

Welcome to the class of 2014

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Who did London Met honour this year? A rockstar, scientist and businessman are among the honorary graduates who were recognised by London Metropolitan University at this year’s graduation ceremonies.

Professor Malcolm Gillies, former Vice-Chancellor at London Met, believes the calibre of the honorary graduates is a real testament to the University. He said: “Each of those honoured at our graduation ceremonies has made a real, tangible impact upon our world, and each is highly deserving of the University's honorary doctorate.”

Dr David Adebimpe (top left with Prof Malcolm Gillies)

Dr David Adebimpe is a scientist, inventor and philosopher. He has worked in a wide range of areas including enzymology, nanotechnology and organic chemistry. He is an alumnus of London Met.

Ray Davies (top right)

Ray Davies penned some of the biggest hits of the 60s and 70s as front-man and driving force behind rock band The Kinks. Songs like You Really Got Me helped to establish the group as one of the best British bands of all time.

Ray was born and bred in North London and still lives in Highgate, not far from where he grew up in Muswell Hill.

Dr Michael Hopkins (bottom left)

Dr Michael Hopkins dedicated his early career to promoting employment and development around the world and the last two decades in developing and implementing the notion of corporate social responsibility, which is a form of corporate self-regulation that is integrated into a business model.

Brian Dive (bottom right)

Brian Dive is a widely experienced international manager, writer and consultant. He has close ties to London Metropolitan University as the founding Fellow of the Centre for Progressive Leadership, based in the Faculty of Business and Law.

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All aboard! We’re organising a free boat trip on the Thames and the chance to mingle with fellow alumni on Saturday 13 September.

London Met calling... After our first telephone campaign earlier in the year, we are delighted to announce that alumni have pledged over £15,000 to support students at London Met. Thank you to everyone who took the time to speak with a current student and share your experiences. Not only did our callers gain new skills as telephone fundraisers, but they also picked up hints and tips from successful alumni about how to succeed in their chosen career path. Donations from alumni enable the University to recruit the brightest students, no matter their financial situation, by providing scholarships and bursaries. As well as helping to improve the learning environment with resources for our Science Centre, libraries and teaching rooms. We look forward to awarding the first Mark Bickerton ISH Memorial Scholarship, which will

enable a student from Pakistan to study a Masters level course at London Met, in the autumn. If you would like to make a difference please make your gift online and help our students achieve their full potential. Alternatively you can donate over the phone by calling 0207 133 2656. We hope to catch up with even more of our alumni in our next campaign, which is due to take place in the autumn, so please ensure your details are up to date.

Chatterboxes — London Met’s telephone fundraisers

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Family moved by 'amazing' WW1 memorial

Stephanie Hornett got more than she bargained for when researching her great uncle Reginald, who was killed in World War One. After learning that Reginald studied at one of London Metropolitan University's predecessor organisations, she contacted London Met in the hope of there being a note or two about him in the University archives.

But when the University wrote back informing her that Reginald is featured in a spectacular stained-glass window commemorating students and staff killed in the conflict, she was absolutely delighted.

“We had no idea that the window existed, let alone that Reginald was named on it,” said Stephanie, who began researching her great uncle as the centenary of the start of the war approaches.

The University invited Stephanie and her mother, Liz Hornett, to visit its Jewry Street campus on 1 May 14 to see the window for themselves. As well as the stained-glass window, which was installed in 1920, 2nd Lt. Reginald T Salmon is also named in a special Roll of Honour which includes details of his academic studies. He joined the Chemistry department in 1914 and left the following year to enlist in the army.

Reginald served in the Royal Engineers before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed at Arras, France, after just twelve days at the front.. A minute in the University’s Board of Governors’ record book states that he was killed on 12 May 1917.

“We have Reginald’s diary from the war which he started just before he was posted to France for the third time. The last entry on 7 May 1917 reads: ‘To go over top shortly’”, said Stephanie. “It’s

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lovely that this beautiful window is here to commemorate him and the other young men who lost their lives. And it’s nice to know that it will be here for years to come.”

Steph’s mother Liz, who lives in Exeter, said she hoped her father Harold – Reginald’s younger brother – knew about the window. “My father never talked about Reginald; neither my brother nor I remember him being mentioned. I would like to think that nearly one hundred years ago my father and my grandparents were standing on this very same spot looking at the memorial that the next two generations, myself and my daughter , are admiring today. “I’m absolutely amazed that a bit of family history has led to this. I had no idea the soldiers were commemorated so well.” Peter Fisher, Archives Project Manager at London Met, said: “Not a lot of people realise that London Met’s roots actually go back as far as 1848, so we have a lot of history here. The University has many precursor institutions, including the Sir John Cass Technical Institute, which is where Reginald studied. “The timing of Steph’s enquiry was rather spooky; we had only been researching the names of students killed in the war a week before. It was extremely exciting and hugely satisfying to be able to share the window with Steph and Liz.” Louise Slater, Archives Project Officer, said: “We were delighted to welcome Steph and Liz to Jewry Street and to have the opportunity to show them the window and other artefacts relating to their story and this period of our history. “We also presented them with framed photographs of the window and Roll of Honour.”

Win £100 Amazon voucher

Update your contact details before Monday 11 August and be in with a chance to win £100 Amazon gift voucher.

Update your details

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Ice work! Vice-Chancellor congratulates Winter Olympian

Did you know London Met was represented at this year’s winter Olympics in Sochi? Skier Rosamund ‘Posy’ Musgrave visited the University following the Games for a chat with the (now former) Vice-Chancellor about her experiences on the Russian slopes. Posy, who studied MA Translation in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, was the only female cross-country skier in Team GB. Professor Malcolm Gillies invited the successful graduate to the University to congratulate her on such an achievement. “We were delighted to see a University alumna taking part so magnificently in the Winter Olympics,” Professor Gillies said. “What a wonderful ambassador she is for our country, skiing and London Met.” Posy described her Olympic experience as “phenomenal”, but is yet to decide if she wants to try for the 2018 Winter Games. “I’m going to keep skiing for another year at least and see what happens,” Posy said. However, she also intends to put her MA in Translation to use. The talented graduate, who is fluent in French and Russian, is looking at freelance translating as a possible career choice.

Become a mentor - Careers Mentoring Scheme

There are lots of ways you can give back to your University. If you have had two years professional experience, London Met has a great opportunity for you to volunteer to be a mentor to a current student. Our previous alumni mentors have enjoyed inspiring and helping students to develop their career goals. In the process, mentors have developed their own coaching and mentoring skills.

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What a great idea... Despite more than 40,000 Italian women living in London, there are no clinics catering for them in the capital and 40% would rather return to Italy than go to someone they are not sure about.

Founded by Faculty of Business & Law alumni Giorgia Bacco, Dottore London aims to fill that gap, with 80% of Italian women surveyed admitting that they would prefer to see an Italian gynaecologist in London if one was available.

The London Met Big Idea Challenge, which is run every year by the University’s Student Enterprise Programme, gives aspiring student and alumni entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch business ideas and compete for funding and support needed to start their own venture.

Entrants were asked to answer the call to tell London Met ‘What’s the Problem?!’, identifying problems and solutions to issues in categories including sustainability, creativity, technology and health.

Student Enterprise manager Simon Boot explained how tough the competition was: “This year’s London Met Big Idea Challenge was incredibly competitive and Giorgia deserves a lot of credit for standing out among some outstanding submissions.”

Simon Boot with Mainul Islam

Giorgia Bacco

Mckaela Daley

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Our Law Alumni are fabulous!

Congratulations Pauline Curtis, Alumna 2004 on being highly commended in the Solicitor of the Year – In-house category at the Law Society Excellence Awards at the end of 2013. Pauline Curtis, a Senior Crown Prosecutor founded the Aiming Higher Community Mentoring programme as a direct result of concern about the increasing number of young people entering the criminal justice system. Through mentoring the programme provides a climate for growth by raising aspirations, support for career development and positive life choices. Pauline single-handedly created a mentoring programme designed to help youngsters who fall through the cracks and end up in the criminal justice system. Her important and positive work falls outside of her day job, showing real passion and dedication to improving the lives of young people. Pauline continues to use her skills and experience to benefit the wider community.

2013 JCI London Ten Outstanding Young People awarded to Tunde Okewale, Alumnae 2005

JCI (Junior Chamber International) London announced the winners of the "2013 JCI London Ten Outstanding Young People Award" (TOYP). This is a prestigious local and international award which recognises outstanding young professionals who excel and create positive change in their chosen fields. Tunde also won the 'Young Lawyer of the Year Award 2012' at the 2012 Lawyer Monthly Barrister Awards. He was also a finalist in the 2012 Legal aid Lawyer of the year awards. Tunde features on the Lexis PSL Crime Expert pages and on the BBC Radio 1Xtra broadcast "GANGS ON FILM" alongside Noel Clarke , Ashley Walters and many others. Read more about Tunde here

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Jewellery designer Won Jeong Choi is a self-proclaimed traditionalist. Or at least she was until she was until she came to study at London Met and mixed with other creatives at The Cass and experienced the city’s vibrant art scene.

Won previously worked as a researcher for GyeongJu National Museum – a place with the remit of preserving and showcasing the heritage of Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. But now she’s combined her love of the past with a newfound passion for contemporary design. So much so that contemporary jewellery is the subject of her PhD.

Won did a lot of research before deciding to come to London to study. But the more she researched the city, the more excited she became about the design scene and its influences from across the globe.

London Met’s Jewellery Design course particularly attracted her because of the University’s long standing use of traditional silversmithing techniques, as well as the research element of the course. But Won found that her ideas of art and design were changing and she was more open minded to contemporary concepts.

“I used to be a conservative person but I have become more open minded especially through tutorials with my supervisors,” said Won. “They always questioned me and made me think twice about ideas.”

After completing her Masters, Won progressed onto a PhD in Contemporary Jewellery at the University. Her thesis involves researching contemporary jewellery and its impact on well-being. Won has also been an artist in residence at London Met in Jewellery Design and continues her research from Korea and lectures at Catholic University of Daegu. She returns to London Met to met her supervisors and to exhibit pieces from her PhD research regularly.

Interested in coming back to London Met? Find out more about postgraduate study at the CASS.

Catching up with Won Jeong Choi MA Jewellery Design by Project, PhD Contemporary Jewellery

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Congratulations to MBA graduate Udaya Adhikari

Udaya Adhikari, Director of Strategy and Marketing for Cigna in the US and graduate of London Metropolitan University’s MBA programme was one of forty winners in the 2014 Executive Management Awards organised by SmartCEO in Washington D.C.

The awards honour business executives for their creative management vision, leadership philosophy, innovative strategy and undeniable work ethic. The 2014 Executive Management Award winners collectively generate more than $3 billion in annual revenue and employ nearly 15,000 individuals in Greater Washington.

Udaya, originally from Nepal, studied on the MBA programme at London Met before he moved to work and live in the United States. He has been working within the healthcare industry including marketing innovations and mergers and acquisition for a total of ten years. In his current role as Director of Strategy and

Marketing, he loves having to constantly evolve with the fast changing environment.

“I love dealing with change. Marketing is a discipline that must keep pace with the change in customer behaviour, lifestyle, needs and wants.”

Udaya believes that studying at London Met changed his life and taught him things that are still very relevant in today’s marketplace. “The education I received at the University helped me understand modern day consumers, their needs and evolving behaviour, changing business models and practices etc. Because of this, I was able to demonstrate how an undifferentiated industry like health care in the US can build consumer brands that would resonate to all segments of the demographic. This made me appealing to health care employers and over time I became part of a team that now helps define a Fortune 200 company’s brand.”

He would advise others hoping to study abroad to “dream big and learn with passion. There will be let downs, there will be struggles, and there will be hope. And where there is hope there is everything.”

Learn more about the Faculty of Business and Law.

Udaya Adhikari receiving his award

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13 alumni meet for a 1970s Reunion

Thirteen alumni who attended what was then City of London Polytechnic in the 1970s held a mini reunion in May at their old campus in Moorgate, where they had all studied Marketing and other Business related courses. They reminisced about their days at Moorgate, explaining that the courses they studied consisted of six months studying and six months in the work place, with most of them finally being employed by the companies where they did their work experience. Contact has been easier for some as four of the group had married fellow students whom they met while studying.

Professor Stephen Perkins, Dean of the Faculty of Business & Law, welcomed the group back to Moorgate and shared the renovation plans for Moorgate, giving each one an artist’s impression of the new foyer.

Kay Choudary, Head of Alumni Relations and Development, gave a presentation all about London Met’s history from 1844, including the transitions from City of London Polytechnic to London Metropolitan University.

Professor Perkins then updated everyone on the University’s plans for the future. The attendees were then taken on a trip down memory lane, visiting the basement refectory where dances were held in the 70s and discovering that the bar which they were instrumental in organising no longer existed. Although they were very impressed with the new hub and all of the new facilities.

The day ended with a lovely lunch in the local area where the group reminisced further.

Fancy reliving the good times? If you would like to organise a get together of your class, please get in touch and we can help you organise a reunion at any of the University’s campuses or your local area.

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Alumni events

Introduction to Mindfulness

Wednesday 6 August, 6.30-8.30pm

Mindfulness is the current buzz word but it simply

means awareness in self and others and can

improve learning and performance and enhance

concentration. Come and hear how to gain more

opportunities in your life.

Boat Trip

Saturday 13 September, 2.00-6.00pm

Cruising down the River Thames - a

perfect way to see London with family

and fellow Alumni.

Successful Blogging

Wednesday 1 October, 6.30-8.30pm

Workshop and open conversation on how to start,

run and maintain a successful blog for personal or

business reasons.

Early Leadership Skills

Wednesday 15 October, 6.30-8.30pm

Looking at the five levels of leadership, how

to create balanced teams, the stages of

group development plus explore other skills

and talents that leaders and managers need

to lead a great team.

We host a wide range of events to help our alumni stay in touch, as well as a diverse programme of seminars and workshops. Take a look at our Alumni events page — whatever you’re interested in.

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