Alumni Maria Fox, who developed the foundations for her company whilst studying at Brighton, is recognised for her handcrafted products, stocked in shops, museums and galleries in the UK and internationally.

Maria Fox is the director of the Maria Allen Boutique, a British brand selling handcrafted design-led personalised jewellery and gifts made from reclaimed and sustainably-sourced British wood, designed and made in her Hove studio. Maria produced her first hand-made card business aged 14, whilst at school, and developed the foundations for her company whilst studying Graphic Design at the university.

Her products sell online and are stocked in shops, museums and galleries in the UK and internationally. The company has worked on gifts at the British Museum and the National Trust, and its designs have featured in magazines and national TV commercials.

Maria said: “I’m thrilled at winning this award. I think it is so important for young people to know that it is entirely possible to start up their own business and to create their own dream job. I am proud to have received this recognition and I owe a huge amount of it to my team who have helped make this happen.”

Maria, who started her business with just a few hundred pounds, recently featured in an article alongside Facebook, Microsoft and Google – all companies started by students.

She graduated in 2011 and credits the university and beepurple – the university’s entrepreneurship network, made up of students, graduates and staff wanting to develop their skills and business – with helping her start her business.