GALLERY: Graduates honoured at 2024 Alumni Awards
The University of Liverpool was delighted to host the annual Alumni Awards at The Tung Auditorium on Saturday 21 September 2024.
The awards, now in their fourth year, celebrate the outstanding talent, dedication and ambition that University of Liverpool graduates bring to our community, academic fields and beyond. Professor Gavin Brown, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, hosted the ceremony and presented the winners with their awards.
Winners
Dr Gertrude Mwangala Akapelwa (EdD 2020)
Gertrude is the Founder and Vice-Chancellor of Victoria Falls University of Technology, Livingstone in Zambia, an institution she helped establish in 2002.
Lucky Ali (MBioSc 2022)
Recent graduate Lucky Ali (MBioSc 2022) is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur. She launched Lucky's Café, a purpose-driven cafe and Bangladeshi kitchen with a thriving Community-building Social Hub based on the Wirral.
Dr Nadera Hayat Burhani (MPH 2015)
Dr Nadera Hayat Burhani is a Health Coordinator at the International Committee of Red Cross, Damascus, Syria and an avid campaigner of women’s rights.
Hannah Colson (BA Hons Communication, Media and Popular Music 2013)
Hannah is the Director of Artist Development at Island Records, who has previously worked at MTV and Ministry of Sound.
Paul Firth (BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering 1993)
Paul is the Director of Global Music Industry at Amazon Music, he launched Amazon's first music streaming service.
Dr Nicola Hodson (BSc Hons Chemistry with Materials Science 1988, PhD Mechanical Engineering 1992)
Dr Nicola Hodson is the Chief Executive of IBM UK & Ireland. She has had a prolific career in various businesses, including being headhunted by Microsoft.
Dr Amir Khan (MBChB 2004)
Dr Amir Khan is a full-time GP, TV doctor and author. He returned to campus to accept his award 20 years after graduating from the School of Medicine.
Professor James P Kingsland OBE (MBChB 1984)
Professor James P Kingsland OBE is a primary care physician, clinical professor, and former Senior Partner in an award-winning practice. He advises on health reform in India, Nepal, and Singapore. His return to campus for the Awards marks 40 years since graduating from the School of Medicine.
Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon (MA Popular Music Studies 1996, PhD Music 2011)
Rev Canon Dr Ellen Loudon began her career as an actor and is now Canon Chancellor of Liverpool Cathedral and Director of Social Justice for the Diocese of Liverpool.
Jesse Lyu (BA Hons Marketing 2013)
Jesse Lyu is the Founder and CEO of rabbit inc., focused on revolutionising AI through natural language interaction and AI-native gadgets.
Cooper McAuley (LLB Hons 2022)
Cooper McAuley is a Motor Litigation Paralegal at DWF Solicitors. Cooper is passionate about raising awareness of epilepsy after losing someone close to her due to the medical condition.
Dr Catherine Sani (BA Hons Architecture 2000, BArch 2003)
Also accepting an award was Dr Catherine Sani, who had previously won an award in 2023 but was unable to attend her ceremony. Catherine is an architect based in Lilongwe, Malawi. After her parents sadly passed away, she became Education Director of their school in Malawi, all whilst continuing as an entrepreneurial architect.
Winners recognised with a 2024 Alumni Award but unable to attend on the day include:
- Basel Alsourani (LLB Hons 2016), Legal Advisor for the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
- Dr Miro Griffiths MBE (BSc Hons Psychology 2010), Co-Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds
- Felix Hagan (BA Hons Popular Music 2010), founder of theatre company SpitLip who wrote ‘Operation Mincemeat’, a musical based upon the true-life tale of a spy mission from the First World War
- John Hardman, (BCom Hons 1962), a former businessman who held the position of Chairman and Chief Executive of Asda
- Seponono John Molifi (MSc Programme and Project Management 2016) Project Development Specialist in South Africa, working to combat the HIV epidemic
- Sharon Young MBE (BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering 1997) consultant who has held positions with Transport for London (TfL) and Crossrail.
Congratulations to all of our winners on their incredible achievements. You can hear more about their inspirational stories and see a full list of our 2024 winners here.
Nominations for our 2025 awards will open later in the year and we invite our community to nominate outstanding alumni of the University.