University of Reading 2013 Section

A global alumni network , transforming lives We are very proud of our alumni – so many of whom go on to play a significant role in the world and continue to contribute to the life of the University in areas such as student mentoring, graduate employment, fundraising and governance.

Our alumni value their time at Reading and are very strong advocates of our University. This is reflected in their incredibly generous donations of time and money. Since the Annual Fund was established in 2004, over £3 million has been raised from over 6,000 donors. All of the money donated by our alumni supports the next generation of students.

‘I am working for BBC Radio 1 as their in-house film critic. I’m absolutely thrilled to have been offered this opportunity and I can’t think of a more perfect job. Reading gave me the opportunity to study English and Film & Theatre alongside each other and provided me with a wealth of knowledge about film and the analysis skills which are fundamental to my job.’

Rhianna Dhillon, film critic, BBC Radio ,1 BA English and Film & Theatre, 2008–2011

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Notable alumni include

Reading alumni enter all walks of life and many rise to the top of their professions

Arts and literature Business and Education Law, government and Media Music Science Sport Paul Barnes, designer and institutions Professor Janet Beer, politics Julian Barratt, comedian and Arthur Brown, rock and Professor Sir Peter Crane, Cath Bishop, rower, typographer Jane Barker, Chief Executive, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rufa’i Ahmed writer (The Mighty Boosh) roll singer FRS, former Director, Royal Olympic Silver medallist Simon Bell, theatre director Equitas Holdings, formerly Oxford Brookes University Alkali, People’s Democratic Colin Brown, British Film James Chapman aka ‘Maps’ Botanical Gardens, Kew Michael Bolingbroke, Chief Financial Officer and Party, Nigeria Keith Bosley, British poet Dr Kenneth J R Edwards, Commissioner, UK Film (nominated for a Mercury Dr Dragan Marušič, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer of former Vice-Chancellor of Manchester United and language expert Dr Anton Apriyantono, Council Music Prize) Slovene mathematician the London Stock Exchange the University of Leicester Minister of Agriculture, Adrienne Cahalan, Joe Cornish, acclaimed Adrian Butchart, Jamie Cullum, jazz musician Professor Debby Reynolds, Linda Bennett, OBE, founder Christine Gilbert, CBE, Her Indonesia CB, former Chief Veterinary Yachtswoman landscape photographer award-winning British Timothy Dean, Chorus of LK Bennett, Veuve Cliquot Majesty's Chief Inspector screenwriter and film Officer, Defra Lord William Bradshaw, Director, Royal Scottish Jonty Clarke, Team GB Charles Elton, author Business woman of the year and Head, OFSTED producer (writer of the Spokesperson for Transport, National Opera Dr Geoffery Schild, CBE, Hockey player and Olympian (Mr Toppit) 2005 Professor Bernard Liberal Democrats, House ‘Goal!’ movies) former Director, National Andy Mackay, composer, James Cracknell, rower, Robert Gillmor, Professor Stephen Moulden, former Vice- of Lords Damian Collier, producer, Institute for Biological Roxy Music Olympic Gold medallist ornithologist, wildlife artist, Blackmore, CBE, Regius Chancellor, James Cook Valerie Caton, British entrepreneur and business Standards and Control author and illustrator Keeper, Royal Botanical Martin Noble, British Sea Ric Egington, rower, University, Australia Ambassador to Finland consultant for film, television (NIBSC) and former Chairman, Olympic Silver medallist Simon Gudgeon, leading Gardens Edinburgh and stage (taking ‘War Power, indie rock band WHO Advisory Committee on Professor Peter Slee, Belay Ejigu Begashaw, contemporary sculptor Christopher Brickell, CBE, of the Worlds’ to the Edmund Rubbra, composer Influenza Vaccines Adrian Ellison, Olympic Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Earth Institute of Columbia former Director General, international stage) rowing champion Kathleen Hale, artist and University of Huddersfield University and former Julian Wagstaff, composer Professor Tim Wheeler, Royal Horticultural Society Rhianna Dillon, film critic, children’s author (Orlando, Professor John Stoddart, Minster of Agriculture Professor of Crop Science; Debbie Flood, rower, BBC Radio 1 the Marmalade Cat series) Dame Lynne Brindley, DBE, former Vice-Chancellor of for Ethiopia Head of the Crops and Olympic Silver medallist Chief Executive, Climate Group for the Clare Henry-Bruno, art critic Sheffield Hallam University Sir Simon Gass, KCMG, CVO, Pippa Greenwood, Alex Gregory, rower, MBE The British Library Walker Institute; Principal British Ambassador to Iran gardening broadcaster Olympic Gold medallist Professor Clyde Hopkins, Professor Sir Tim Wilson, Investigator in the NERC- Nick Candy, co-founder painter (former Head of former Vice-Chancellor Mike Hanson, MBE, former Bunny Guinness, National Centre for Garry Herbert, cox, Olympic and partner of the high Painting at Chelsea College of the University of Director General, HMRC gardening broadcaster Atmospheric Science; his Gold medallist and end property development Hertfordshire of Art and Emeritus Professor) Peter Hall, motoring research has been cited commentator company, Candy & Candy, The Hon Edison James, Elspeth Huxley, CBE, author journalist in all the major climate Molly Hide, captained London former Prime Minister of change assessments of (Flame Trees of Thika) Dominica and former Leader Richard Holmes, noted English Women’s Cricket Alison Carnwath, the last decade team for 17 years Claire Lizzimore, theatre of the Opposition military historian and Chair, Land Securities director Baron Livsey of Talgarth, CBE, broadcaster Philip Hobbs, leading Sue Clayton, Executive racehorse trainer Mike Nelson, installation former Liberal Democrat David Howe, President, Director – Capital Markets, artist (twice nominee for the Spokesperson on Wales Sci Fi Channel Will Hoy, British Touring CB Richard Ellis Turner Prize) Mike Penning, MP, Baroness Pike, DBE, former Car Champion Peter Dawson, Managing Cornelia Parker, sculptor Parliamentary Under MP and Chairperson Alistair Mackintosh, Director, Brixton plc and installation artist, Secretary of State Broadcasting Complaints Chief Executive Officer, (Turner Prize nominee) Charles Graham, for Transport Commission Fulham Football Club CEO, Europa Capital Partners Michael Rosen, author Mark Prisk, MP, Minister Beth Morgan, English Nicky Kinnaird, MBE, founder of State for Business and Women’s Cricket Team John Simpson, Chief Editor, of Space NK Cosmetics Enterprise Oxford English Dictionary Philip Nash, Financial Tan Sri Dato Mohd Rashdan, Hugh Robertson, MP, Director, Liverpool Richard Wilson, installation Chairman of Telekom Malaysia Minister for Sport and Football Club artist (twice nominee for the Olympics Turner Prize) See Lian Ong, FRICS, George O’Grady, Chief President of the Royal Jim Sturman, QC Executive, PGA European Tour Institution of Chartered Dame Patricia Symmonds, Polly Vacher, MBE (first Surveyors GCM, DBE, Barbadian woman to fly solo around politician and member of the world and land on all the of seven continents)

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