ALUMNI MAGAZINE I ISSUE 20 I SPRING / SUMMER 2016

17 GOING FOR GOLD JONATHAN AND ALISTAIR BROWNLEE The ambitious brothers have Rio 2016 fi rmly in their sights CONTENTS 06 13

FEATURES

08 THE HIDDEN DAMAGES OF DOPING FROM OUR 10 FIGHTING CYBERCRIME CHANCELLOR 12 HOPE FOR THE ELDERLY 17 GOING FOR GOLD I extend the warmest of congratulations 24 MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE to three members of our alumni 17 community who were honoured by the Queen in the 2016 New Year REGULARS Honours list. They join our former Vice Chancellor Professor Susan Price, 04 UNIVERSITY NEWS who was also recognised with the 13 SPORTS NEWS award of a CBE for her services to higher education. You can read 14 WHAT’S ON more about their awards in this 16 HOW I BECAME… issue of Momentum. 20 MAKE A DONATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE: AN EYE ON THE PRIZE I myself had a great honour recently: 22 MEMORY LANE selecting the latest students to receive 26 WHERE ARE YOU NOW? a Sir Bob Murray CBE Scholarship. 08 As testament to the transformative power of education, each year I choose to support a number of first-year YOUR OPINION MATTERS students from the north of studying an accounting or Thank you to everybody who took the time to let us know their thoughts on our alumni finance-related course. community by completing our online survey. Your input is really important to us and we It is always a pleasure to meet strive to provide a community that is interesting and engaging for all. with the successful scholars. I look If you did not complete the survey but would like to tell us your thoughts, you can forward to keeping in touch with contact the Alumni Team via: [email protected] them throughout the rest of their time at our University. Having watched previous recipients graduate, their transformation in three years ON THE COVER has been nothing short of phenomenal, 20 amazing and enlightening. Credit: Bruce Rollinson, The Yorkshire Post We are immensely proud of all of our Momentum graduates from our University and I alumni magazine hope you will join me in wishing the Issue 20 best of luck to all of our alumni and current students who will be taking Momentum is published for the alumni reflect those of our University. You are part in the 2016 Rio Olympic and and friends of Leeds Beckett University, receiving this magazine because we Paralympic Games this summer. Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds believe it is of interest and relevant to You can read more about our Olympic Polytechnic, James Graham College, you. If you would like to stop receiving it, and Paralympic hopefuls on page 19. City of Leeds College of Education, please contact the Alumni Team. Good luck to everyone taking part. Carnegie Physical Training College, Correspondence is welcome and City of Leeds Training College, I hope you enjoy reading this issue of should be addressed to: Alumni Team, Yorkshire College of Education & Home Momentum and keeping up to date with Leeds Beckett University, Brontë 113, Economics, Yorkshire Training School of the latest news from our University. Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QS Cookery, Leeds College of Commerce, Sir Bob Murray CBE Leeds College of Art (pre-1970), Leeds +44 (0)113 812 3147 Chancellor College of Technology (pre-1970) and [email protected] Leeds Beckett University Yorkshire Training College of Housecraft. leedsbeckett.ac.uk/alumni The views expressed within this Leeds Beckett Alumni publication are those of individual @BeckettAlumni contributors and do not necessarily Leeds Beckett Alumni Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 03 UNIVERSITY NEWS LEEDSBECKETT.AC.UK/NEWS RENEWABLE ENERGY ESSENTIAL

CLEARER FOR SUSTAINABLE CITIES GUIDANCE ALTERNATIVE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IS ESSENTIAL NEEDED ON TO THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN INFRASTRUCTURES, ACCORDING TO A NEW BOOK SPECIALIST PUBLISHED BY ACADEMICS FROM OUR UNIVERSITY. CHILDHOOD A new book, Building Sustainable Futures: Design and OBESITY the Built Environment, edited by Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of our Faculty of SERVICES Arts, Environment & Technology, Professor Ian Strange, Professor of Spatial Policy at our University, and (Self-Help, Independence, Nutrition and these acutely overweight children and Dr Stephen Selkowitz, Senior Advisor for Building Science OUR UNIVERSITY IS Exercise), is calling for greater guidance on how young people. at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California, CHALLENGING THE children and young people can access specialist “It is clear there remains a lack of Tier 3 service tackles approaches to the design, construction and GOVERNMENT TO obesity services. provision for childhood weight management planning of cities and clarifies the impact of emerging PROVIDE CLEARER Research undertaken by PhD student James services,” says James. “This research supports technologies on sustainable development. GUIDANCE FOR WEIGHT Nobles, of our Carnegie Faculty, and Kath the notion of an integrated care pathway for “This book presents research and case studies from around MANAGEMENT SERVICES. Sharman, Managing Director of SHINE, has children and young people with obesity.” assessed who should provide specialist Tier 3 the world on new approaches to the design, construction Published in the British Journal of Obesity, services and what these services should look and planning of our cities,” explains Mohammad. these findings are the first from a series of With an estimated 2.9 per like. Tier 3 services are programmes delivered research projects undertaken by our University “Reflecting the multi-faceted efforts required to cent of girls and 3.9 per by specialist providers and targeted at children which will detail a stepped care approach to cent of boys suffering with severe obesity. successfully meet sustainability challenges, this book delivering weight management services and from severe obesity, is a collaboration between practitioners and academics With severe obesity linked to cardiovascular will also evaluate the impact of the our University, working across a broad spectrum of specialisations. Research disease, Type 2 diabetes and other health SHINE programme. with weight management findings are explained in the context of practical conditions, the research suggests there is programme SHINE implementation, enhanced by case studies from industry currently a lack of direction and guidance for Learn more: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/wholesystemsobesity leaders in order to create a pragmatic reference across policy areas where environmentally aware decision- making is required.”

UNIVERSITY CONTINUES TO CHAMPION EQUALITY PROFESSOR KEVIN HYLTON, PROFESSOR OF EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN SPORT, LEISURE AND EDUCATION AT OUR UNIVERSITY, HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED AS A PATRON OF THE RACE EQUALITY CHARTER.

The charter outlines how higher education in the UK cannot reach its full potential unless it draws on the talents of the whole population and until individuals from all ethnic backgrounds can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords. “To be asked to be a patron reflects the work we have done around diversity, equality and inclusion at Leeds Beckett,” says Kevin. “It is a real honour.” This announcement follows our University once again being named in the Stonewall Top 100 Employers 2016 guide to the most inclusive employers in Britain, placing at number 64 this year. Professor Follow Kevin’s work via: leedsbeckett.academia.edu/KevinHylton Kevin Hylton

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 05 DEMENTIA DIARIES Since 2010, more than 1,300 students have volunteered for roles through our Researchers at our University are FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIP University’s partnerships with a range of evaluating a project that brings together people’s diverse experiences of living CONTINUES AT LEEDS organisations. Volunteering opportunities with dementia through a series of audio have included placements at some of the diaries which aim to influence the media’s country’s premier music and sporting events, reporting of dementia. AND LATITUDE providing our students with invaluable experience working alongside industry experts. Dementia Diaries allows people to share their thoughts and experiences of This year, we are delighted to once again be living with dementia, giving them a chance providing students and alumni with the chance to voice their opinions on issues important to volunteer with Festival Republic, working in a to them. number of roles at both Latitude Festival, taking Using 3D printed handsets, participants place in Suffolk this July, and Leeds Festival, record audio diary entries to track their taking place at Bramham Park in August. thoughts and feelings, which are then Budding DJs have the chance to hit the decks transcribed and published online by and entertain the festival goers, whilst media project managers On Our Radar. and photography students will have the chance “Challenging inaccurate and negative to expand their portfolios. There are also reporting of dementia in the press has volunteering roles with the festivals’ Helpful been identified as an important step to Arena Crews and more. reducing societal stigma of the condition. This research will help to understand if If you are planning to attend one of these events, and how the Dementia Diaries project is please make sure to come and say “hi” to our team. contributing to this,” explains Professor Learn more: Claire Surr, Professor of Dementia Studies leedsbeckett.ac.uk/partnershipvolunteering in our Institute for Health & Wellbeing. The team at our University, led by Dr James Woodall, will be evaluating the project, which is funded by Comic Relief, Did you volunteer to identify areas of impact and ways to improve its effectiveness. The evaluation Credit: Tara Carey with Festival Republic? will also allow participants and their If you volunteered at Leeds or families to see how their contribution to Latitude festivals during your the project has shaped change. time studying with us, we’d love to know how the experience has Credit: Connor Griffin enhanced your career. Share your BRITAIN’S MOST ADMIRED story via: [email protected] HARBANS SINGH SAGOO COMPANIES REVEALED NEW YEAR Consumer brand giant Unilever has been crowned the country’s HONOURS FOR ALUMNI Earlier this year, our University was most admired company saddened to say goodbye to one of by a unique peer-reviewed our distinguished honorary alumni, survey carried out by Harbans Singh Sagoo (Hon DUniv, our University. Led by 2014). Harbans leaves a legacy of Professor Mike Brown, THREE MEMBERS OF OUR ALUMNI Honorary alumna and Chair Neil Clephan (PGCE Secondary Physical of our Faculty of Business strong leadership and unshakeable COMMUNITY WERE HONOURED IN of the Health and Safety Executive Education, 1980), Headteacher of Roundhay & Law, Britain’s Most Judith Hackitt (Hon DEng, 2011) School in Leeds, received an OBE for commitment to the Leeds Sikh Admired Companies THE 2016 NEW YEAR HONOURS was made a Dame for services to services to education, and John Davies (MA community. As Jathedar of the survey is published LIST, JOINING OUR FORMER VICE Leeds Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak health and safety and for being Executive and Business Coaching, 2011) annually in Management CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR SUSAN Jatha and through his work with the Today. The survey is the a role model to young women in was awarded an MBE for his voluntary PRICE, WHO WAS AWARDED A CBE Leeds Faiths Forum, Harbans was a only academic study of engineering. She was previously service to the Reserve Forces and Cadets distinguished community leader in its kind in the UK where FOR SERVICES TO HIGHER EDUCATION. awarded a CBE in 2006. in Yorkshire and the Humber. the winners are selected Leeds and he will be deeply missed. by a peer group of senior executives and analysts.

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 07 RESEARCH

THE HIDDEN DAMAGES OF DOPING

“The implications of doping for fellow athletes are severe,” ENDURING EFFECTS OF DOPING IN SPORT EXTEND says Kelsey. “Elite athletes are rarely invited to speak candidly FAR BEYOND SANCTIONED ATHLETES, ACCORDING TO about their negative experiences of sport. Instead, vigilantly NEW RESEARCH. protecting their public image – along with their sport’s – is often necessary in order to satisfy the expectations of ast autumn, Russia became the fi rst country to be banned numerous stakeholders.” Lfor doping offences by the International Association of This research was funded by the International Athletics Athletics Federations (IAAF) following one of the worst drugs Foundation and is just one of a number of externally funded scandals in the history of sport. research projects currently under way at our University, The future of Russia’s track and fi eld athletes competing where we are also at the forefront of developing an effective internationally was called into question with a provisional anti-doping policy and practice education programme. suspension on the All-Russia Athletic Federation. This Working closely with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), followed a report by an independent World Anti-Doping we were invited to be one of only nine universities worldwide Agency (WADA) commission which claimed that Russia was to pilot a new anti-doping education programme. The “High-profi le guilty of doping on an “industrial scale” and that there had invitation followed research from our Carnegie Faculty which been a cover-up at the highest levels of the IAAF. highlighted an urgent need to engage future generations of Our University has recently revealed far-reaching impacts on athlete support personnel. elite athletes beyond those sanctioned for using performance “It is important that our Sport & Exercise Science students doping scandals – enhancing drugs, suggesting ‘clean’ athletes are also understand their enhanced role and responsibilities under personally affected by other athletes’ doping behaviours. the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code, which came into force last In research published in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise year,” explains research lead Professor Susan Backhouse, journal, Dr Kelsey Erickson, (MSc Sport and Exercise Science, Head of our Centre for Sports Performance and an such as Lance 2011; Doctor of Philosophy 2016) of our Carnegie Faculty, international expert on the prevention of doping in sport. interviewed high-profi le competitive and retired track and “Students may not be aware that, under the Code, athlete fi eld athletes from multiple countries to uncover how they support personnel are required to be knowledgeable of and had been impacted by others’ doping behaviours. comply with the anti-doping policies. Furthermore, they Armstrong’s “While the sport scrambles to recover from the growing should positively use their infl uence to help develop ethical list of condemning allegations, track and fi eld athletes are standards, strong values and foster anti-doping attitudes.” being increasingly drawn into the conversation,” explains The project represents a positive move to spread education Research Fellow Kelsey. “However, one group of athletes beyond elite athletes, recognising that universities also house has been noticeably overlooked – the self-declared ‘clean athletes across all participation levels. shocking admission athletes’ who have been personally impacted by others’ doping behaviours. Our University has been at the forefront of anti-doping research since publishing a WADA commissioned “To date, the voices of said athletes have been largely unheard. systematic literature review in 2007. The review’s fi ndings Their experiences and perspectives have the potential to shed initiated a pioneering programme of research on the social - provide compelling important – and novel – light on the supposedly far-reaching psychology of drugs in sport and established Leeds Beckett and endemic nature of doping in track and fi eld.” University as a global research leader in the anti-doping fi eld. Kelsey used the experiences of both competitive and Current projects are supported by the Rugby Football Union, retired athletes to construct two stories depicting their the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International evidence of the need unique lived experiences of the repercussions of athletes’ Olympic Committee. doping activities, revealing the fi nancial, emotional, and “High-profi le doping scandals – such as Lance Armstrong’s relational implications. shocking admission – provide compelling evidence of the need One participant recalled how they missed out on a fi nal by one to move beyond detection-based deterrence (e.g. testing for to move beyond position, only for four of the fi nalists to then be disqualifi ed banned substances),” adds Susan.“More emphasis is needed for doping offences, meaning the clean athlete should have on prevention and creating a sporting culture that does not qualifi ed for the race. However, by this point the athlete’s promote or tolerate the abuse and misuse of performance funding had been halved, resulting in a personal loss of enhancing substances.” income of £26,000 through no fault of their own. detection-based Learn more: Competitive athletes remarked on having to regularly leedsbeckett.ac.uk/research-case-studies/preventing- defend their status as ‘clean athletes’, whilst retired doping-in-sport/ athletes felt like there was nothing more to do, apart from be proud of what they managed to accomplish despite deterrence.” the circumstances. Professor Susan Backhouse, Carnegie Faculty Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 09 RESEARCH THERE HASN’T YET BEEN A MAJOR CYBERTERRORIST ATTACK BUT, DESPITE ALL THE SOPHISTICATED GLOBAL SECURITY NETWORKS AT OUR DISPOSAL, THE FEAR REMAINS. IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE TAKES PLACE. Dr Emlyn Butterfield, FIGHTING Faculty of Arts, Environment & Technology CYBERCRIME Innovative research has put our University at the frontline in the fight against cyberattacks.

he increased use of digital devices cybersecurity software for creating necessary skills to help protect the UK Cybercrime police officers will undergo how to steal people’s data and we Other projects which will also take Tin every aspect of human life has hacking challenges for educational use. against cyberattacks. research training, working closely with need more security in place to prevent place in the centre include research into brought with it new ways for people academics on innovative research this from happening.” nuclear power-plant safety, new access Working alongside the University of “These skills are used by security and organisations to be attacked. projects which will identify and address controls and operating system security Birmingham, this project, funded by “There hasn’t yet been a major professionals to audit the security of software, mobile device security, security the Higher Education Academy (HEA) any weaknesses in police processes. cyberterrorist attack but, despite all The daily discovery of new weaknesses computers and allow students to fully usability, and advanced digital forensics and led by Dr Z Cliffe Schreuders, of the sophisticated global security in IT security is commonplace, understand what they are defending Cybercrime is not exclusively a technical analysis techniques. and recent years have seen a rise in our School of Computing, Creative against and responding to. CTF is a problem. This research will analyse networks at our disposal, the fear hacktivist vigilantes, organisational Technologies & Engineering, will see framework that has the potential to have the cybercrime investigation lifecycle, remains. It’s only a matter of time Learn more: doxing (where vast troves of data student intern developers work with an impact on the way security training is including the experiences of the public before one takes place.” leedsbeckett.ac.uk/csi exfiltrated from organisations are a team of researchers to develop designed and delivered at Leeds Beckett when reporting cybercrime, and those of leaked online), threats, and evidence randomised capture the flag (CTF) and elsewhere,” adds Cliffe. the call taker, the attending officer, the of cyberwarfare and cyberterrorism. hacking challenges for students investigator and the Crown Prosecution The project, which is set to be to tackle. Service, to help identify key knowledge When Islamic State threatened to completed in February 2017, will “The basic idea of CTF is that the gaps and policing needs. launch deadly cyberattacks on UK culminate in an event which will students have hacking challenges to targets including hospitals, public introduce UK students and security It is hoped this will lead to a research progressively compromise the security of service infrastructures and air traffic lecturers to the new framework. culture developing within West Yorkshire a network of computers,” explains Cliffe. control centres, the Chancellor’s Police and, through collaborative “If the UK is to be equipped to respond response was a £1.9 billion investment “As they solve the challenges by knowledge exchange and development, in the prevention of cybercrime. hacking, they discover digital ‘flags’, to the increasing threat of cyberattacks, produce results that will provide guidance we must ensure that the next generation Our University is aiming to make a which they then can claim to earn and training materials so police forces can points or marks. The uniqueness of our of cybersecurity specialists receive the process digital evidence more efficiently. significant contribution to this fight with best teaching and learning to furnish the launch of the Cybercrime and approach is that our hacking challenges will be randomised. That is, every them with the skills needed,” says “The need to tackle the cyber threat Security Innovation (CSI) Centre. Professor Stephanie Marshall, has never been greater,” says Dr Emlyn The centre will act as a collaborative student gets a unique set of challenges in a virtual machine.” Chief Executive of the HEA. Butterfield, a Senior Lecturer working hub for high-quality research, working on the project. on a number of projects with other The project is one of eight supported by In collaboration with West Yorkshire academic, industry and police partners. the HEA and the Department for Culture, Police and supported by a £640,000 “You only have to look at the news Launched this spring, one of the Media & Sport to boost cybersecurity grant from the Police Knowledge Fund, recently with TalkTalk and Ashley centre’s main research projects will be teaching and learning, making sure that the centre will also be working to Madison to realise these kind of attacks the development of innovative new students and future graduates have the improve responses to cybercrime. are occurring. “More people are learning

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 11 RESEARCH SPORTS NEWS

HOPE FOR THE ELDERLY

undertaken before and after revealed that Kevin Sinfield MBE the physical fitness and strength of the DOUBLE SUCCESS AT BBC participants had improved. SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR “The improvements we measured in people taking these higher levels of leucine TWO ALUMNI SHORTLISTED FOR POPULAR PRIZE. clearly show that amino acid supplements have real potential for improving the Two of our University’s sporting heroes Andy Murray OBE, after polling 28 per cent career last year by leading the team to a physical condition of elderly people,” were recognised at the annual BBC of the one million votes cast. historic treble as the rugby league giants Sports Personality of the Year award, lifted the League Leaders’ Shield, the explains Dr Theocharis Ispoglou, of our “It is absolutely awesome to have been with Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield Challenge Cup, and emerged victorious named runner-up in the BBC Sports School of Sport and who led the study which in October’s Grand Final. He has since Dr Theocharis Ispoglou MBE (BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Personality of the Year award. It has was recently published in the European moved to rugby union where he now Science, 2008; MA Sport Business, 2015) been an unbelievable year and I am plays for Yorkshire Carnegie. Journal of Clinical Nutrition. and England defender Lucy Bronze eternally grateful for everyone who voted RESEARCHERS AT OUR UNIVERSITY HAVE (BSc (Hons) Sport Studies, 2013) both for me, to everyone at Leeds Beckett After helping England to win a bronze “This could be useful among the healthy DEVELOPED SUPPLEMENTS THAT COULD HELP making the 2015 shortlist. and also the wider game,” says Kevin. medal at the 2015 FIFA Women’s population to help them meet their daily PENSIONERS AVOID LIFE-CHANGING FALLS. Kevin was the first rugby league player As the highest points scorer in Leeds Football World Cup in Canada, energy needs, or it could be useful in the to be shortlisted for the award since its Rhinos’ history and the top points Manchester City star Lucy also made clinic to help frail elderly people regain inception in 1954. He finished the night the shortlist and became the first female ew dietary supplements developed scorer in rugby league’s Super League some physical fitness.” in second place, behind tennis star era, Kevin ended his 521-game Rhinos footballer to be nominated for the award. Nby researchers at our University are offering help to the elderly. During the study, the supplements were given in capsule form to a cohort Using specialised amino acids commonly of 25 people aged between 65 and taken by bodybuilders, researchers from NEW PARTNERSHIP LAUNCHED 75. Sixteen people received different our School of Sport have developed new We are proud to announce our new move forward in 2016. The signing of concentrations of the supplement and the dietary supplements which help elderly partnership with the netball players such as England’s , other nine took a placebo capsule. In those people maintain their muscle mass and club for the 2016 season. As part of the along with the development of young, taking supplements containing higher new partnership, the Jets will train and talented players, shows our intention to increase their physical fitness. levels of leucine, gains in muscle mass play five of their games at our Headingley do just that,” says Anna. Campus during the 2016 season. Maintaining muscle mass can often prove of more than one per cent were recorded Current Sport, Physical Activity & Health problematic for the elderly. Muscle mass over the three-month period. The Yorkshire Jets are one of eight student Jessica Shaw and Sport & starts to decrease at a greater rate from UK netball teams that play in the Exercise Therapy student Lydia Walker the age of 65, leading to a loss of physical The team has also developed more . play for the Jets and are also part of the High Performance palatable forms of the supplement, Featuring players from across Yorkshire, strength and increased frailty. This can Programme, which is considered the the squad includes athletes who have cause falls, fractures and other disabilities, including flavoured gels and bars, which ‘feeder team’ for the senior England been selected for England under 17s, allow for higher concentrations to be taken squad of the future. The players affecting independence and, as our ageing under 19s, under 21s and the senior participate in monthly training camps population expands, placing a growing in a more digestible manner. squad. With the season from and various overseas tours and burden on healthcare services. January to May, the Jets play their home “This opens up exciting new opportunities. practice matches. games predominantly on Saturdays at our The amino acid supplements contained These supplements can potentially assist Headingley Campus Sports Arena or at Meanwhile, current second year varied amounts of leucine – an important elderly people to meet their energy and the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Speech & Language Therapy student and player amino acid popular for boosting the body’s protein needs and, ultimately, lead a The team are coached by Anna Carter, and alumna and ability to make muscle from protein – and healthier and independent lifestyle for as Netball Head Coach at our University, player Rachel Shaw (BSc and they were recently highly commended were administered to a cohort of elderly long as possible,” adds Theocharis. (Hons) Sports Coaching, 2013) have in the Senior Achievers Team/Club people over a three-month period. Tests recently represented England. They (Non-Professional) category at the played in a three-match test series annual Leeds Sports Awards. against Australia, losing the series 3-0 “We are all excited for the new season and to the world champions. hope that our amazing supporters come to our home games in Sheffield and Leeds To find out fixture details and more Jessica Shaw to cheer us on. After our best ever season information about the Yorkshire Jets, last year, we are looking to continue to visit: yorkshirejets.net Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 13 WHAT’S ON COLLABORATING WITH CONTEMPORARY ART

For full details and to book your place at one of our events, visit: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/events or contact: [email protected]

May June July Reunion

Leeds Business School Guest Britain’s Most Admired Companies Latitude Festival Carnegie School of Physical Speaker Series: Governance – Lecture: Rotork Thursday 14 July – Sunday 17 July Education and City of Leeds Ellie Polston A Necessary Evil or a Driver of Wednesday 1 June, 17:30 – 19:00 Henham Park, Suffolk College reunion (1971 - 1978) Performance Rose Bowl, City Campus Graduation Ceremonies Headingley Campus Alex Simpson, General Counsel, Saturday 10 September UNIVERSITY LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TETLEY. Columbia Threadneedle ITU World Monday 25 July – Thursday 28 July Company Secretary and Groceries Lunch reception, evening buffet Leeds Headingley Campus Supply Code of Practice Code and entertainment ur students are set to receive on a variety of projects, including Saturday 11 June – Sunday 12 June Compliance Offi cer, Asda For more information, please Oa valuable boost to their exhibition guides, coasters, car Tuesday 10 May, 08:30 – 10:00 Roundhay Park, Leeds August contact Bob Mitchell via: creative practice and career park banners and much more. Rose Bowl, City Campus [email protected] prospects with the launch of a Yorkshire Festival 2016 “My time at Leeds Beckett really new partnership between The Leeds Festival helped me get to where I am Surplus and Scale: Exploring the Thursday 16 June – Sunday 3 July Tetley contemporary art gallery Friday 26 August – Sunday 28 August today because I was able to study Contradictions of 21st-Century Multiple venues across Yorkshire and our University. Bramham Park, Leeds Socialist Agriculture in Venezuela an array of mediums and Researching Urban History Housed in the art deco techniques. It was one of my Dr Thomas Purcell, Faculty of headquarters of the former course tutors who introduced me Health & Social Sciences Dr Shane Ewen, Faculty of Arts, September Tetley brewery in Leeds city to a competition at The Tetley to Wednesday 18 May, 15:00 – 16:30 Environment & Technology centre, The Tetley is working design a Christmas card, and my with our University to develop Winter Wagon design was selected Calverley 311, City Campus Saturday 18 June, 09:15 – 16:00 Sport and Discrimination Leeds Library collaborative projects and and inspired the festive brand, Professorial Inaugural Lecture of Conference, Dr Daniel Kilvington opportunities for arts students which was brilliant. My proudest Professor Martin Reynolds, Leeds Britain’s Most Admired Companies and Dr John Price, Faculty of Arts, keen to develop future careers in achievement so far has been Business School: “Playing All the Lecture: Unilever Environment & Technology the creative industries. walking around Leeds and seeing Friday 9 September, my designs around town.” Right Notes But Not Necessarily Thursday 30 June, 17:30 – 19:00 The fi rst of these projects, in the Right Order” Rose Bowl, City Campus 09:00 – 17:00 to develop a year-long design To mark the partnership, which Wednesday 18 May, 17:30 – 19:00 residency at The Tetley, is formally launched in December, already under way. In its Slam Dunk Festival The Tetley’s central atrium inaugural year, the Resident exhibition space was renamed Saturday 28 May Designer post was secured by the Leeds Beckett Gallery. The Leeds city centre Credit: Festival Republic alumna Ellie Polston (BA (Hons) fi rst exhibition was the critically Graphic Arts & Design, 2015), acclaimed The Feast Wagon, who currently works alongside featuring new commissions and the gallery’s in-house marketing installations by Simeon Barclay, team to design and create Delaine Le Bas, Lubaina Himid marketing materials for The and Susan Walsh. Tetley across its exhibitions, “The partnership is a great fi t events and catering facilities. given our expertise in creative arts “I have always wanted to be a education and will undoubtedly graphic designer for as long as bring fantastic benefi ts for our I can remember and I love my students. They will have access to role at The Tetley because it gives some unique opportunities for me a lot of freedom,” explains work placements and internships Ellie, who took up her position in in addition to exposure to larger September. “I have been thrown audiences and, of course, many in at the deep end, which is opportunities for joint projects,” providing me with a really good adds Professor Mohammad insight into the industry. I have Dastbaz, Pro Vice Chancellor and freedom in my decisions and with Dean of our Faculty of Arts, my creative vision and get to work Environment & Technology.

Learn more: thetetley.org

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 15 HOW I BECAME... GOING FOR GOLD

… A MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MY OWN LEGAL PRACTICE BROTHERS ALISTAIR AND JONATHAN BROWNLEE Last year, alumna Susan Joss launched her own legal practice, providing valuable assistance and guidance to clients. The launch followed a 15-year career in local government, 12 years of which were as a qualified solicitor. We take a look at her journey from our HAVE RIO 2016 FIRMLY IN THEIR SIGHTS University to the founding of Joss Legal Solutions Limited.

n 2012, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee and the support we received from the crowds After completing my undergraduate Ibecame the first British brothers to stand on were all amazing moments. degree in politics at the University EDUCATION an Olympic podium together in an individual “Whilst Rio is definitely the focus of our season, of Luton, I returned home to my event in more than 100 years, having claimed there are other races and targets we’re also parents for a year to save money for the gold and bronze medals respectively in the training for along the way. my legal courses, which I completed triathlon. Four years on from London, they are at Leeds Beckett University. These hoping to repeat their success at this summer’s “We are both happy with where our fitness is right were very intensive courses and I in Rio. now and are very much looking forward to the ITU just couldn’t stop smiling on my “I didn’t go to the test event Series event in graduation days. The courses were 1999-2000 last year (in Brazil) because Leeds on 12 June. It will be great academically challenging, but I was (PG Dip Law, 1999; PG Dip Legal of my injury but Alistair did,” to have a proper home race and Practice, 2000) so proud to be one step closer to says Jonathan, who suffered we know the city will come out achieving my ambition of becoming a stress fracture in his left leg and line the streets to cheer a solicitor. last summer. “He said it was us on.” a good, honest triathlon course CAREER EXPERIENCE Susan Joss For as long as they can My first job was in the Debt Recovery that will suit us. remember, both brothers have Department at Leeds City Council, “With the support we received been very active, following in where I gained practical legal I was promoted within two years at the last Olympics, racing the footsteps of their doctor experience issuing proceedings at 2000-2001 and gained managerial responsibility at home was a significant parents, with their mother a the County Court and enforcing Legal Assistant, Leeds City Council for the property, planning and advantage, so it will be tough to keen swimmer and their father County Court judgments. contract solicitors, the administration better London. We’re racing for a runner. From West Yorkshire, team and the land charges section. Team GB and Olympic medals, they also have a younger brother, Edward, who is a keen rugby I was over the moon to be offered I was also the Deputy Monitoring and that’s what we train for, so Credit: ITU Media a training contract and believe the 2001-2003 Officer, ensuring the council acted Alistair and I are confident of player. being in the mix again this time around.” confidence I developed at Leeds Trainee Solicitor, South Lakeland legally and complied with relevant “We always loved our sport,” remembers Jonathan, Beckett University helped me secure District Council statutory provisions. At London 2012, alumnus Alistair (MSc Finance, who was the 2012 World Triathlon champion. “At the this position. 2013) finished the 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and start, triathlon was just another thing we wanted I left Eastleigh Borough Council 10km run in Hyde Park only 31 seconds ahead of to do. I definitely went through a phase of wanting After my training contract, I joined in December to concentrate on his younger brother and 11 seconds in front of to be a footballer. I’m a big Leeds United fan! But Eastleigh Borough Council and 2003-2005 running my own legal practice, Spain’s Javier Gómez Noya to claim the coveted when Alistair came home with some GB kit, I worked on numerous high-value Property Solicitor, which provides a variety of legal Olympic title. thought ‘I want some of that’. freehold and leasehold transactions Eastleigh Borough Council services. I am excited about the “It was incredible,” recalls Alistair, who regularly “We know it’s our job, but we have fun and enjoy on behalf of the council. This role new challenges ahead for the trains alongside his brother at our Headingley ourselves most of the time. The downsides of allowed me to develop legal expertise company. Since leaving Leeds Campus and around the city under the guidance of getting out of bed on a cold winter’s morning to in commercial property, planning law Beckett University, I have completed Malcolm Brown MBE (HonD Sport Science, 2013), swim up and down a pool are easily outweighed and local government law. 2005-2015 several modules for my MBA a former Director of Sport at our University. by spending three or four hours riding around the Assistant Head of Legal & with the Open University and “Winning gold, having Jonny on the podium, gorgeous Yorkshire countryside.” Democratic Services, Eastleigh married my husband, Kevin, Continued Borough Council an ex-submariner who served with the Royal Navy. We climbed Mount Kilimanjaro on our honeymoon in 2006 and since then the sky has SHOW YOUR SUPPORT GOING IT ALONE been the limit. Before they represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games this summer, Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee will be taking part in the 2015 – present Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon in Leeds on Sunday 12 June. Joss Legal Solutions Limited Their Olympic race will be taking place on Thursday 18 August and we wish them the best of luck in both events. Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 17 ASPIRING ATHLETES Jonathan Brownlee (left) Alistair Brownlee (right) A number of our alumni and students are in contention to compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We would like to wish all of our aspiring competitors* featured below the best of luck. *correct at the time of going to print

Tom Bosworth (BSc (Hons) Sports Performance, 2013) (PG Cert Sports & Exercise Nutrition, 2014) – Race walking, Great Britain (confirmed) Alastair Brogdon (BA (Hons) Marketing, 2010) – Men’s hockey, Great Britain Lucy Bronze (BSc (Hons) Sports Studies, 2013) – Women’s football, Great Britain Alistair Brownlee (MSc Finance, 2013) – Triathlon, Great Britain (confirmed) Antony Cotterill (Diploma of HE in Language & Related Studies, 2015) – Wheelchair tennis, Great Britain Kadeena Cox (BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, 2013) – Track and field sprinting and sprint cycling, Great Britain James Denny, final-year Sports, Physical Activity & Health student – Diving, Great Britain Credit: ITU Media Vicky Fleetwood (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise THE BEST THING ABOUT COMPETING Science, 2011) – Women’s rugby 7s, Great Britain AGAINST MY BROTHER IS BEING ABLE TO Ali Jawad, final-year Sports & Exercise Science STAND TOGETHER ON THE START LINE AND student – Powerlifting, Great Britain Yona Knight-Wisdom, final-year Sports & Exercise SHARE A LITTLE JOKE WITH HIM TO Science student – Diving, Jamaica (confirmed) CALM THE NERVES. Kirsty Mackay (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Science, Credit: Bruce Rollinson, The Yorkshire Post 2008) – Women’s hockey, Great Britain Alistair Brownlee MBE Emily Maddison, final-year Sports Coaching student – Handball, Great Britain Jade Moore (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Therapy, 2013) – Women’s football, Great Britain Montel Nevers, second-year Human Geography student – Triple jump, Great Britain Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s 2013 killer training sessions on the track and It is clear to see the brothers, who train New Year’s Honours, Alistair, who also in the pool,” recalls Alistair. “I was up to 35 hours a week together, have a Sam Quek (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Science, won gold at the 2014 Commonwealth fortunate enough to be able to pursue camaraderie which has captivated their 2010) – Women’s hockey, Great Britain Games in Glasgow, became the first an area of study that interested me in a fans throughout their professional careers. Emily Scarratt (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Science, British athlete to win an Olympic medal flexible manner to accommodate my “I’ve been very lucky having Jonny push 2011) (Hon D Sport Science, 2015) – Women’s rugby in the triathlon. He moved away from sport, which was perfect. me, and I push him,” says Alistair. 7s, Great Britain Yorkshire aged 18 to study medicine at “I did have some really enjoyable times “The best thing about competing against Laura Weightman (BSc (Hons) Sports & Exercise Cambridge University, but returned to studying there as well – I was lucky to my brother is being able to stand together Science, 2013) – 1500m, Great Britain Leeds after only a term, realising his have some really understanding tutors on the start line and share a little joke calling as a professional athlete. who helped me through my course.” with him to calm the nerves. It also Back in Yorkshire, Alistair completed a helps knowing that we’re there for each If you are competing or are involved in Jonathan, described as one of the most degree in Sports Science and Physiology other throughout.” some way in this year’s games and your consistent athletes in the ITU World at the before studying name is not on this list, please let us know Triathlon Series, also followed in his “The worst thing though is that my for his masters degree at our University. brother’s footsteps by completing a degree older brother keeps beating me,” via: [email protected] “Most of my standout memories from in History at the University of Leeds, adds Jonathan. “At the moment…” We’d love to hear from you. Leeds Beckett University are from some graduating in 2012.

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 Credit: ITU Media 19 GIVING NEWS MAKE A DONATION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Scholarship opportunity provides invaluable boost to PR graduates. AN EYE ON THE PRIZE

hen Star Wars: The Force Awakens “My most standout memory from the “My current role varies day to day and driving through to succeed in a Wwas released in the UK last year, prize placement was walking into the from campaign to campaign, which male-dominated environment. Did you know? becoming the third highest-grossing London Stock Exchange for the first makes my job so exciting; I never have I LOOK BACK AND AM film of all time, Lauren Sizer, a member time. I felt like such a fish out of water the same day twice. I could be working “I love to see how the students get This year, we are celebrating on after their experiences on their SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL of our alumni community, found herself and knew nothing about stocks or at a premiere one day, taking an actor 25 years of providing public right in the middle of the action. As finances, but I absorbed everything on a TV show the next, then organising placements and it’s great to support the FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, relations courses at our part of her job as Publicist at The Walt I could,” recalls Lauren. press screenings and pitching features careers of such bright young people.” Disney Studios, Lauren (BA (Hons) and interviews the day after that.” University. If you studied a AND I REALLY DO BELIEVE Public Relations with Marketing, 2014) As part of her course at our University, This year, three students were PR-related course or work recognised by the Claire Mascall PR I WOULDN’T BE WHERE was one of a select band of people who Lauren also completed a year-long Launched in 2009, the Claire Mascall in PR or a related field and PR Prize was set up in memory of a Prize and will enjoy placements with got to view the hotly anticipated movie internship at The Walt Disney Company. would like to be kept up to I AM TODAY HAD I NOT before it went on general release. “Winning the Claire Mascall PR Prize pioneering PR woman. As a female Leeds-based agency MCG PR, our really gave me a boost to go into making her way in the world of PR University’s Communications Team date of our celebrations, WON THE AWARD. “I am so lucky that I have a job that and the London Stock Exchange. The Walt Disney Company’s assessment in the 1970s, Claire faced many please let us know via: I really love and every day I go into Lauren Sizer day with confidence. challenges and hurdles, but she [email protected] work excited about what I am working managed to overcome them to work for “It’s really flattering to have your hard work noticed,” says final year Public on,” says Lauren, who credits our “I used the prize as a talking point during organisations such as British Nuclear Relations student Mary-Kate Reynolds, University for helping her to realise my interview and was really proud of the Fuels and the London Stock Exchange, winner of the placement at the London her career aspirations. fact I had won the prize for my work and where she rose to the position of Head Stock Exchange. “I’m really excited for would be doing a work placement at of Corporate Affairs. “At Disney, I work across all UK my placement and I know it will give me such an amazing company.” theatrical campaigns. One of the When Claire sadly passed away in some great experience to be able to go highlights for me was working on the 2007, her husband, Graham Rimmer, on and further my career.” release of Star Wars: The Force wanted to do something to celebrate Awakens, which is now the biggest- her life. It was then that a former Graham is one of many generous grossing film in UK history. I remember colleague of Claire, Keith Loudon OBE, supporters of our University. Every year, watching the film for the first time in a an honorary graduate of our University our friends and alumni community room full of more than 600 journalists and Senior Partner at Redmayne- help to provide opportunities to and feeling like such a small part of Bentley, put Graham in touch with our deserving students like Lauren and that film and that campaign – it was University. Mary-Kate. If you are a current or a pretty surreal moment.” previous supporter of a student Together, they set up the prize, scholarship, we would like to thank you During her time at our University, which every year provides valuable PR for the difference you have made to the Lauren, who has previously worked in Lauren Sizer industry placements and bursaries to lives of our students. public relations roles at both the BBC three talented PR students. and , won the coveted Find out more about our scholarships Claire Mascall PR Prize – which saw “I look back and am so incredibly “I’m delighted to be involved in and how you could support our students her rewarded with £500 and a two-week grateful for the opportunity, and I really this prize in memory of Claire,” by visiting: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/giving or Hannah Mary-Kate Sinead work experience placement at the do believe I wouldn’t be where I am explains Graham. “She was one of email: [email protected] Lynch Reynolds Morrissey London Stock Exchange. today had I not won the award. the very first women to come into PR in a senior position in the 1970s,

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 21 MEMORY LANE POSTGRADUATE

INSIDE THE THE STEVENSON CUP Students at the Leeds College of Commerce (one of the colleges POSTGRADUATE STUDY JUST GOT MORE ACCESSIBLE along with Technology, Art and Housecraft that formed Leeds Polytechnic in 1970) competed for several silver cups. Some of these TROPHY here is an added incentive for anyone Our University will be hosting a still survive today and include The Stevenson Cup. This cup was thinking of studying a postgraduate Postgraduate Open Day on Saturday awarded annually to the female student who was declared victrix T course this year – a loan scheme will 18 June, providing an opportunity for CABINET ludorum or ‘overall champion’ at the college. The fi rst holder was POSTGRADUATE LOANS – KEY POINTS now be available. people to speak with our fees and Marjorie Whitfi eld in 1926 and the last was Audrey Hague in 1945. funding team about the loans scheme, • Loans of up to £10,000 will be available The loans will be available for many OUR ARCHIVIST, as well as offering a chance to speak for many postgraduate masters degrees. masters courses starting in September THE SIR JOHN EAGLESOME CUP with academic staff about our courses. KEITH ROWNTREE, 2016 and work very much like an • Eligible masters degree courses HAS REDISCOVERED Similar to The Stevenson Cup, The Sir John Eaglesome Cup was undergraduate loan. The government will You can book your Open Day place now include many full-time and part-time awarded annually to the victor ludorum or male ‘overall champion’ A NUMBER OF lend students the money and, when they via our website: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/ learning options. of Leeds College of Commerce. It was fi rst awarded to Eric Wylde in graduate, students will begin repaying it postgraduate and all of our masters JEWELS IN OUR • Loans will be introduced for the 1933 and the last recipient was Joseph Wollerton in 1945. Sir John as a percentage of their earnings. courses can be found on the University UNIVERSITY’S CROWN. Eaglesome, President of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, presented website: courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk start of the forthcoming 2016-17 the cup to the college in 1933. It is likely that both The Stevenson Cup The loans of up to £10,000 will be available academic year. and this cup were presented at the college’s annual sports day. for masters degrees, with many of the Delving into our subjects and modes of study taught at • Repayment will be six per cent of University’s trophy Leeds Beckett University eligible. income over £21,000 per year. cabinet is always THE PUBLIC SPEAKING CUP • Postgraduate loans will be repaid fascinating, often First World War veteran Eric Russell-Jones MC presented this cup After completing their course, alongside undergraduate loans, revealing many hidden to the Leeds College of Commerce for public speaking. It was fi rst a graduate will start paying the loan but postgraduate loan repayments gems students of awarded in 1952 to Jane Dockrill. The last student to receive this back once they have a salary of more will not begin until 2019. our University – and award was L Refson in 1971. Eric was a second lieutenant in the Royal than £21,000. Repayments are only six per cent of income over £21,000 and not our predecessor Field Artillery during the war and he was awarded the Military Cross • Applicants must be aged under 60, six per cent of their total salary. colleges – have won in 1916. We believe he may have been a student at the college at the without existing qualifi cations at in sporting and other time he presented the cup. Anyone applying for a loan will need masters-level or above. competitive events. to be aged 60 or under when they • Applicants need to be UK nationals We are pleased to begin their course and need to be THE JOSEPH CLOUGH JACKSON CUP living in England, or EU nationals store many trophies UK nationals living in England, Joseph Clough Jackson was a local chartered accountant who retired residing in the EU. in our archives, or EU nationals residing in the EU. from business in 1931. He presented this beautifully shaped art deco although note that trophy to the Leeds College of Commerce. Unfortunately, the event At Leeds Beckett University, we offer • PhD loans are being discussed and others have been associated with this cup is unclear. more than 180 postgraduate courses, are expected in the future.RAISE YOUR GAME located in auctions including masters qualifi cations across and the private a range of subject areas. collections of our CITY OF LEEDS TRAINING COLLEGE HOCKEY TROPHY alumni. Here we Students at the City of Leeds Training College (founded look back at some in 1907 and joined Leeds Polytechnic in 1976) also of the more unusual competed for several trophies. Hockey teams from the silverware awarded women’s accommodation halls of Brontë, Leighton, to our students over Caedmon, Priestley and Macaulay competed for this uate cour d se ra s g the years. t elaborate trophy, which is silver plated and 21 inches s o

P

*

high. The trophy was presented to the college by s e f t o a Councillor Nathaniel Morrison, a successful stationer r u ou ad and newspaper wholesaler who was elected r recent gr Lord Mayor of Leeds in 1930. Reach even greater heights with a postgraduate qualification with us. Learn more at leedsbeckett.ac.uk/takethenextstep INTER-HOSTEL PARSONS TROPHY *Terms and conditions apply. Visit leedsbeckett.ac.uk/alumnidiscount for full details. Perhaps the most prestigious trophy of its time from the City of Leeds Training College is the Inter-Hostel Parsons Trophy, named after the college’s fi rst principal, Walter Parsons. Unfortunately, this trophy was discovered badly damaged in the cellar of one the former halls of residence on Headingley Campus. In its day, it would have been a source of pride for

whichever hostel received it in recognition of their overall sporting achievement. The trophy bore a silver relief of winged victory, with small silver name plates of each winning hostel.

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 23 FEATURE

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

“Faith shouldn’t be confi ned to the walls of the LAWYER, IMAM AND LEEDS BECKETT HONORARY mosque. The purpose of faith is to help an individual GRADUATE, QARI ASIM MBE SPENDS HIS TIME to become a better human being. Islam is about HELPING OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS. serving God and human beings, and it is only when you achieve success in both that you become a “ always wanted to be a lawyer to help people perfect human being.” Ito realise their dreams,” says Qari Asim MBE (HonD Laws, 2014), a Senior Associate at global Qari was honoured by the Queen with an MBE in law fi rm DLA Piper. 2012 for services to interfaith relations and the community. This work included holding open days Specialising in commercial property law, Qari enjoys at the mosque to enhance community relations the problem-solving element of his profession. following 7/7, and regular interfaith and inter- “Property is a fascinating area to work in as it is community events. He also received an honorary key to the successful operations of business and Doctorate of Law from our University in 2014 for the economy. Leeds is such a vibrant city to live and his contribution to public life. work in and I’ve been fortunate enough to see it “It was an incredible honour and a profoundly transform over recent years. humbling moment to be awarded my honorary “The retail experience has been enhanced with the doctorate,” he recalls. “Leeds Beckett is so close opening of the Trinity Leeds shopping centre and to my heart and home and I am very grateful for the many residential areas have also sprung up, making University’s recognition of my work to bring it an even more dynamic place to live. I always miss communities together. Yorkshire when I’m away for business. It’s defi nitely “I think I’m actually the only Imam in the country who the people that make it and their true Yorkshire traits also works in the corporate world. On the face of it, - honesty, integrity and the fact that nothing is ever they might look like two opposing roles, but by day I too much trouble for anybody.” am helping clients realise their corporate dream and Outside of work, Qari, a father-of-three, is also Imam in the evening I’m helping individuals. Juggling both of the Makkah Masjid Mosque in Leeds, where he roles can be challenging, but it is truly rewarding. has worked tirelessly to build bridges between “I fi nd inspiration in all people and believe success communities since the 7/7 terror attacks. comes from hope, faith and hard work. Nobody has “Being an Imam is a huge responsibility. I lead a the answers to everything, but I strive to never give diverse community, one third of which are under 20. up and believe in everything I do.” My role is to keep the fl ock together, so to speak. “I fi nd inspiration in all people and I need to manage expectations and help my community to navigate in a world where religion is heavily criticised.” believe success comes from hope, FAITH SHOULDN’T BE CONFINED Qari, a prolifi c social media user and Senior Editor of religious blog ImamsOnline.com, will often be TO THE WALLS OF THE MOSQUE. faith and hard work. Nobody has called upon by the media to act as a spokesperson for the Muslim community, addressing issues such THE PURPOSE OF FAITH IS TO HELP as extremism, terrorism and Islamophobia. AN INDIVIDUAL TO BECOME A BETTER the answers to everything, “There is a big difference between faith and HUMAN BEING. politicisation of faith,” he explains. “One of my key challenges is to make faith relevant to ordinary Qari Asim MBE but I strive to never give up and people. I take a very active role on social media to try and make my faith relevant to young members of my community who use social media. believe in everything I do.” Qari Asim MBE

Credit: The Guardian, image provided courtesy of Qari Asim MBE

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 25 WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

These pages are for you to share your stories and celebrate your successes with your fellow alumni. Tell us what you are up to and Catalina Sabogal update your contact information by using the enclosed form or by visiting: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/alumni/update 2000s (MSc (Hons) International Events Management, 2012) We will feature as many updates as we can in the next issue. Stephen Dam I left the UK in January 2013 and have since worked on (BSc (Hons) Construction Management, 2009) various projects as a Freelance Events Manager. In July 2014, I was hired by the British Embassy Bogotá as a Deputy Visit In the six years since I left University, group. I have coached runners and triathletes of all abilities Coordinator to manage the visit of HRH the Prince of Wales my work has seen me come full circle. 1970s throughout my life and I recently formed a corporate and HRH the Duchess of Cornwall to Colombia. Following this, I recently managed the bid which saw fitness business, Benefitness Partners, which seeks to I was appointed Outreach, Chevening and GREAT Campaign my company win the contract for the Stephen Sheard tackle the societal health issues associated with obesity Officer and I have responsibility for all events regarding the refurbishment of the Leeds Beckett Library. This was a (HND Computer Studies, 1975) and inactivity. ‘brand of Britain’ in Colombia. particular highlight of my career so far, as I was effectively After several positions in the UK and having worked as a putting into practice all of my professional skills in the place Consultant in the UK, Europe and the US, I am now a System David Oakes 1990s where I first developed them. As Development Manager at Architect in Salt Lake City, Utah. (BA (Hons) French Language Studies, 2013) Sewell Group, I am currently working on projects with Leeds Lucy Francis-Litton City College and the University of Leeds. I am a retired police officer and I used Christine Andersen (BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science, 1998) the skills I developed on my degree (BSc (Hons) Information Science, 1976) When I left University, I was unsure of what I wanted to do Abi Culley to write my first book,Your Majesty, With Back in the day, this was largely with my degree, although I knew I wanted to stay in the field (BA (Hons) Leisure & Sport Thanks, which has launched my new career librarianship and we never saw a computer. of gymnastics. So, after my graduation, I got a job in the Management, 2007) as an author. As Staff Officer to the Chief Constable of North I worked at BHRA Fluid Engineering for circus. Seventeen years later, I am now Director of Aircraft I progressed my career through various Yorkshire in the mid-1970s, I was responsible for organising slightly more than a year and then married Circus – my own circus school – where I train up-and-coming roles in the property industry, specifically in police arrangements for all royal visits to the county. My book a Dane and have lived in Denmark since December 1977. professional circus artists and work closely with new-build housing and development, before faithfully records my experiences and provides an insight into I have had a chequered career working up my qualifications physiotherapists to provide injury rehabilitation. I was appointed to my current position of National Head of the work of the Royal Family. It further details the unexpected in Danish and have been a freelance translator since 2003. Sales & Marketing at Home Group Ltd at the age of 29. and hilarious happenings - and the joy and despair - which Last year I became a Chartered Linguist – I believe the only Jacquie Fisher arose during my unique and intimate association with over 20 one to translate from Danish – and I would love to hear what (BA (Hons) Business Studies, 1994) royal visits. others from Information Science 1973-76 are doing now. 2010s I started out as Senior Marketing Executive at & Bingley Building Society where Ben Perez-Amaro Frances Field 1980s I had spent my placement year. The role (BA (Hons) Film & Moving Image (BA (Hons) Events Management, 2010) included direct marketing and branch Production, 2015) Barrie Abbott promotions. I then ventured into several different roles, (BA (Hons) Management & Administration, 1982) I worked as part of the Accommodation Team After graduating, I moved to London where including Client Services Director for The Black Hole Creative at Leeds Beckett University after graduating I now work at Love Productions as the I decided to study seriously at the age of 34, and it was one Company Ltd, before securing my current position with and felt like I really gave something back by Technical Runner and give edit support. of the best things I have ever done. In the last 30 years, SuperBreak Mini Holidays Ltd. I currently manage a team and I supporting students just starting out at I have worked on a number of award-winning TV shows, I have developed my career in further and higher education, am responsible for developing marketing strategies. I also University. I now live and work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after including the final of The Great British Bake Off, and I am with posts ranging from Lecturer to Vice Principal while managed the company’s first ever TV campaign, which was a taking a leap of faith in 2014, working as Graduate Residence certainly enjoying life in the industry. It is thanks to the teaching completing an MBA and PhD along the way, before retiring as fantastic achievement. Coordinator at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology. and skills learned at University that I have achieved my goal of a University Director. I now live in Portugal where I own and Studying and working at Leeds Beckett gave me the confidence working in television. run an English language school, the Britannia Academy, Steven Ramsay to believe anything is possible if you set your mind to it. which has been my pride and joy for the past seven years. (BA (Hons) Business Management, 1997) My first role was with Fujitsu, working Alan Greening in its UK, German, Canadian and US (BA (Hons) Human Movement Studies, 1986) businesses. After 13 years, I joined My love of sports at Carnegie turned into a Capgemini and have since moved to Apology passion for health and fitness, which I Microsoft, where I am Director of the Developer, Student and In the last issue of Momentum, we incorrectly stated that Lucy Roper (HND Leisure Studies & Recreation Leadership, 1992) holds have maintained since graduating almost Start-Up businesses for Boston and New York as well as New six world and two British swimming records. In fact, throughout her 25-year swimming career, Lucy has achieved 18 world records. 30 years ago and while living in London, England in general. My current role has remit for two of the We would like to apologise for this error and would like to congratulate Lucy for all of her swimming achievements, including Costa Rica and Denver, Colorado. I’ve finished several hottest start-up markets in the world. most recently a 45-mile solo swim around Jersey. Ironman and still compete at a high level in my age

Spring / Summer 2016 / Issue 20 27