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  5. Alumni Awards 2023
Background image for Alumni Awards 2023 - Gold and blue geometric floral shapes.

Alumni Awards 2023

The University of Wolverhampton Alumni Association proudly hosted the 2nd annual Alumni Awards ceremony on Tuesday 27 June 2023, recognising the incredible achievements, careers and impact of the University's alumni and dedicated volunteers.

We are absolutely delighted to have received over 170 nominations this year across the 6 award categories, and further information about each award category can be read further down this page. As well as these awards, we were delighted to introduce the Alumni Hall of Fame this year, which will saw five outstanding alumni inducted as the inaugural Class of 2023. Plus, there was an honorary Outstanding Career Service Award winner announced at the ceremony.

Congratulations to all of our impressive finalists.  

Our awards and their winners

This award recognises the exceptional efforts of a graduate who has volunteered with the University in the last 12 months. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Luke Cato - WINNER  

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Luke Cato. Luke is wearing a white button up shirt.

Academic Award: BA (Hons) Sports Studies Class of 2012
Job Title: Founder/CEO
Organisation: REAL
Nomination by Carl Longmore.

  • Chris Woods


Academic Award: BSC (Hons) Computing Class of 1999
Job Title: Founder and CEO
Organisation: CyberQ Group
Nomination by Adrian Priest.

  • Marta Rios

Academic Award: MBA Class of 2017
Job Title: Fundraising and Innovation Specialist
Organisation: Sovereign Housing
Nomination by Phillip Palmer.

 

 

This award recognises the accomplishments of alumni in their chosen profession and showcases a record of remarkable achievements, complemented by a history of outstanding contributions to their profession throughout their career. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Manolo Mantero - WINNER

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Manolo Mantero. Manolo is wearing a black shirt, and is holding an Oscar statue.
Academic Award: BA (Hons) Electronic Media Class of 1998
Job Title: VFX Supervisor
Organisation: Digital Domain/Dneg
Nomination by Head of Digital Content and Communications.

  • Hayley Firman

Academic Award: LLB (Hons) Class of 1987
Job Title: Head of Prosecution
Organisation: RSPCA
Nomination by Sukhninder Panesar.

  • Abi Dare

Academic Award: LLB (Hons) Class of 2004
Job Title: International Bestselling Author
Nomination by self.

 

This award recognises a graduate whose entrepreneurial spirit stands as an example to others running their own businesses. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Val Wright - WINNER

Academic Award: BTEC Business & Finance Class of 1995
Job Title: President
Organisation: Val Wright Consulting
Nomination by self.

  • Olivia Simpson and Mattia Parati

    Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alumni Olivia Simpson and Mattia Parati. Mattia is wearing a white lab coat and holding various 3D printed medical products. Olivia is wearing a black jacket with gold accents and is holding a yellow container with an orange lid.

Academic Award(s): BSC (Hons) Medical Science Class of 2022, BSc (Hons) Biotechnology Class of 2020
Job Title: Director / CSO
Organisation: Symbiotex
Nomination by self.

  • Nikki Stratton

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Nikki Stratton. Nikki is wearing a blue top with gold accents.

Academic Award: DipHE Linguistics & Deaf Studies Class of 2000
Job Title: Director
Organisation: Zebra Uno Ltd
Nomination by Louise Rhodes.

 

This award recognises a graduate who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in their profession or industry and fostered a culture of excellence in their field. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Sadham Dhikran Zarjahan - WINNER

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Sadham Zarjahan. Sadham is wearing a white shirt, navy suit jack and light blue tie.

Academic Award: Beng (Hons) Mechatronics (Colombo, Sri Lanka) Class of 2014
Job Title: CEO
Organisation: International Youth Council
Nomination by self.

  • Helen O'Donnell

Academic Award: BA (Hons) Modern Languages Class of 1993
Job Title: CEO and Director of Partnerships
Organisation: Children's University Trust
Nomination by Amy Allen.

  • Thriveni Shivanna Beerenahally

 

Academic Award: MPH, Public Health Class of 2008
Job Title: City Lead/Director/CEO
Organisation: Vital Strategies, India
Nomination by self.

 

 

This award recognises a graduate’s positive contributions to the lives of others, on a global scale. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Osai Ojigho - WINNER

Academic Award: LLM Class of 2002
Job Title: Director of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns 
Organisation: Christian Aid
Nomination by self.

  • Irina Charlotte Ranaivosoa

Academic Award: LLB Erasmus Year (Exchange Student)    Exchange Year 2012-2013
Job Title: Social worker, France
Nomination by self.

  • Fatou Baldeh MBE

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Fatou Baldeh. Fatou is smiling and wearing a green and purple dress.

Academic Award: BSc (Hons) Psychology & Health Studies Class of 2008
Job Title: Founder & CEO
Organisation: Women In Liberation and Leadership (WILL)
Nomination by self.

 

This prestigious award recognises the outstanding lifetime accomplishments of a graduate for their ongoing and significant contribution to their profession or society since graduating. Meet the shortlisted finalists:

  • Mark O'Shea MBE - WINNER

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Mark O'Shea. Mark is wearing a white shirt with a green jacket. He is holding a snake that is biting into a small container.

Academic Award: BSc Applied Science Class of 1985
Job Title: Professor of Herpetology
Organisation: University of Wolverhampton
Nomination by Gina Manning.

  • Clive Hickman OBE

Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Clive Hickman. Clive is smiling and wearing glasses and a striped white and blue shirt with a navy suit jacket.

Academic Award: BSc (Hons) Mechanical Engineering Class of 1978
Job Title: Chief Executive
Organisation: Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd.
Nomination by Terry Gibson.

  • Clare Dickens MBE

    Profile photo of University of Wolverhampton alum Clare Dickens. Clare is smiling and wearing a white top with a navy jacket.

Academic Award: PG Cert, Higher Education and Professional Practice Class of 2018
Job Title: Principal Lecturer & Academic Lead for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Organisation: University of Wolverhampton
Nomination by Michael Tomkinson and Amanda Bloor

 

This award is an honorary award, conferred by the University’s Alumni Team, and recognises a graduate who has maintained a level of success in their industry over a considerable amount of time.

  • Alvaro Moreno de la Santa - WINNER

Alvaro Moreno de la Santa holding the honorary Outstanding Career Service Award at the Alumni Awards 2023 ceremony.

Academic Award: BA (Hons) History of Art & Design AND Media & Communication Studies Class of 1996
Job Title: Journalist/TV Anchor
Organisation: Canal Sur Andalucia
Nomination by the Alumni Association

The 2023 Ceremony

Re-watch on YouTube See the photos