University of Brighton Alumni Association

Casting her international net

We’re only into May and it’s already been a hectic year for Brighton alumna Louise Giblin (Sculpture BA 1985), so we were delighted to get an update on what she’s been up to.

Student prizes reward excellence

As term draws to a close, we are delighted to share details of an awards scheme designed to keep students motivated. The University of Brighton’s Breakthrough Awards have been made possible through the generosity of former students (alumni) and local businesses who are keen to align themselves with student talent. Working with the University of…

Philanthropy packs a punch!

Today the 2015–16 Ross-CASE Survey published landmark figures for the first time in the survey’s 15-year history. The figures show a significant milestone as donations to UK universities surpassed the £1 billion-a-year level for the first time. Sam Davies, Director of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at the University of Brighton, shared her perspective on donor…

Alumnus Alex debuts his first play, Trippin

Next week, graduate Alex Canwell (Music Production BA(Hons) 2011), debuts his inaugural play at the Printers Playhouse in Eastbourne (4–6 May). Alex tells us about more about the play and what inspired him to write it. My years at the University of Brighton were a vibrant snakebite and alcopop-sodden affair. I arrived from an existence of…

Hybe – our graduate’s new life-hack bag

Three-times Brighton alumnus Richard Simmonite, who started his own eco-focused product design company, has this week launched a new 5-in-1 shape-shifting convertible bag on Kickstarter. A serial social entrepreneur and active member of the university’s entrepreneurship network, beepurple, Richard has turned to the online crowdfunding platform to help bring his award-winning design to market.

Crafting comfort and confidence

Finola Maynard (MDes 3D Materials Practice (Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastic) 2014), founder of Pop-Up Pottery Creative Healing, has been shortlisted as one of five charitable projects for a competition on TV. The Pop-Up Pottery Creative Healing initiative is competing for funding in The People’s Project. The People’s Project is a partnership between the Big…

Alice has gone viral

Cancer survivor Alice McGarvie is spreading the word worldwide on the benefits of occupational therapy (OT) – and her message has gone viral. With more than 30,000 views and 10,000 Facebook shares, the Brighton alumna’s blog is being hailed as one of the clearest explanations of the benefits of OT.

Graduate helps Brighton traders triumph

Each year, Brighton alumnus Sam Baker (Business Administration BA(Hons) 2003), organises a financial trading competition to help business students sharpen their work skills. The annual OSTC Trading Challenge provides a unique opportunity for finance students to trade, in a virtual environment, through futures derivatives in a number of products including; commodities, equities and fixed income. Brighton students…

Alumnus entrepreneur shares his tips for branching out

After pursuing a successful career in the construction industry, Brighton alumnus Mark Oakden (Building Engineering and Management BSc(Hons) 1995) built his own business. He tells the university how he launched his enterprise, Branching Out Adventures.

Turning bad experience into a great business

When alumnus Dmitrijs Seladjins (Finance and Investment BSc(Hons) 2012) arrived in the UK from Latvia with his business partner, Konstantins Afanasjevs in 2008, they were both in search of greater opportunities. They first settled in Luton, where they rented accommodation.