Category: Bristol

UWE Bristol alumni recognised in 2026 New Year’s Honours

Alumni Team | 8 January 202613 January 2026

Six alumni have been recognised in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours list. We celebrate their incredible dedication to their work in education, nursing, food procurement and sustainability, youth work, allied health professions and social housing.

Thanks to these outstanding individuals, the lives of others have been made better. We’re proud of their extraordinary achievements and contribution to public life.

Professor Maria McIlgorm

Professor Maria McIlgorm has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to Nursing and Midwifery in Northern Ireland.

Maria has over 40 years’ experience in nursing across community and hospital settings, in professional, operational and strategic roles in England, Scotland and in Northern Ireland. She has been the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at the Department of Health since 2022.

Maria studied Midwifery at UWE Bristol in 1993.

Steve Taylor

Steve Taylor has been awarded a knighthood for his services to education.

Steve has been Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) for 11 years. CLF is a multi-academy trust founded in Bristol but now serves Gloucestershire and Somerset. Under his tenure CLF has grown to serve more than 18,000 young people and has gained a reputation for supporting struggling schools to improve.

Steve was awarded an honorary doctorate by UWE Bristol in 2024.

Jane Hadfield

Jane Hadfield has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to education.

As a registered Nurse, Jane has worked for most of her career in the NHS in Bristol, in clinical leadership roles, and the last twenty years as a Learning and Development/OD Specialist.

Jane’s grounding in leadership development includes working with the NHS Leadership Academy and academic partners, notably UWE Bristol, in delivering innovative development programmes in clinical leadership. Jane now holds a national role with NHS England, leading a programme designed to embrace widening access, participation, and inclusion.

Jane was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration by UWE Bristol in 2023.

Christine Storry has been awarded Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to sustainable and local food procurement.

Christine is currently Procurement Manager, Bath and North-East Somerset Council and CEO of Ardagh Community Trust, a community led facility for Horfield Common, Bristol.

Christine studied HND Business studies in 1999 and an MA Tourism and Sustainability at UWE Bristol, graduating in 2004.

Geoffrey Pinney

Geoffrey Pinney has been awarded Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to young people in Somerset.

Geoffrey first joined Scouts at the age of 8 and enjoyed it so much that he has been involved all his life. 75 years later he is Group President of West Hatch Scout Group in Somerset.

Geoffrey studied Local Government Management Development at UWE Bristol (then Bristol Polytechnic) in 1983.

Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE

Professor Suzanne Rastrick OBE has been awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the allied health professions and to the social housing sector.

With almost 40 years in the NHS, Suzanne’s career has spanned Support Worker, Occupational Therapist, Matron, Director of Nursing and Quality, Deputy CEO and CEO. Her current role is Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for NHS England and a Non-Executive Director and Board Advisor for the National Housing Federation.

Suzanne was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science by UWE Bristol in 2018.

Note:

Please let us know if we’ve missed someone who has been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list and is a UWE Bristol alum or member of staff. The team can be contacted at alumni@uwe.ac.uk.

UWE Bristol alumni – quick links

Find our more about alum and founder Renata Medes and the work of Bristol Sanctuary Theatre.

Heart-warming stories from UWE Bristol’s 2025 Community Grant projects

Alumni Team | 16 December 202517 December 2025

Sparks International Cultural Festival © Sam Phat Production

Eight amazing community projects came to life thanks to crucial funding from the UWE Bristol Community Grant this year. In total more than £20,000 was awarded to projects which all had Bristol communities at their heart.

Each project centred on building relationships between staff, students and local communities, and provided student volunteering and practical learning opportunities.

Here are some of 2025’s highlights…

six female dancers in colourful dresses — Still from Bristol Dance Extravaganza film

The Bristol Dance Extravaganza celebrated diversity and multiculturalism through a community dance show this February in Bristol, organised by South Gloucestershire Chinese Association.

The show brought together seven local groups and over 300 participants, fostering cultural integration and intergenerational connections while raising £1,000 for Southmead Hospital Charity.

UWE Bristol students played a pivotal role in planning, marketing, and delivering the event, designing posters, creating a ticketing website, managing sound and lighting, and filming performances. One Digital Media student volunteer reflects,

“After months of hard work, watching the event sell out felt incredibly rewarding and waiting as the theatre filled up was a moment I will never forget. I will always treasure and value this experience going forward as a graduate and professional.”

Watch the video montage of the event and see who was involved on the Bristol Dance Extravaganza website, created by student volunteers.

The Sparks Bristol project delivered a series of vibrant, free cultural events in the heart of Bristol’s Broadmead. Events were all held at Sparks – the vibrant centre for creativity, sustainability, social impact and education in the old Marks and Spencer’s building in Bristol’s city centre.

Eight performers lined up, with microphones and a guitar

Three dancers wearing traditional
Spanish dress

Five performers with African drums — *Sparks International Cultural Festival © Sam Phat Production*

Thousands of locals got involved with events such as such as the International Cultural Festival part of Bristol Refugee Festival. Sparks co-founder and recent UWE Bristol honorary graduate Jenny Foster talks about the festival on the BBC website.

Designed to foster cultural exchange and sustainability awareness, these activities established Sparks as a local inclusive hub. Not only that, but UWE Bristol students gained hands-on experience in event planning, marketing, and community research.

Empowering Refugee Voices Through Drama began as a drama club led by UWE Drama. Through support from the UWE Bristol Fund it became Bristol Sanctuary Theatre – an artistic and educational initiative bringing together UWE Bristol, City of Bristol College, Cotham Parish Church, and Bristol Beacon.

Ethnically diverse group of young people holding hands — Drama club and theatre workshops, Bristol Sanctuary Theatre

The work of the theatre builds on the foundation of welcome and support demonstrated through both UWE Bristol’s status a University of Sanctuary and Bristol city holding Sanctuary City status.

The funding helped develop the project, supporting initial workshops led by UWE Drama staff and students, working closely with young refugees and migrant students from the City of Bristol College. Through the medium of drama, participants share their stories, challenge misconceptions, and promote solidarity and respect.

Other projects supported by The UWE Bristol Fund Community Grant in 2025:

Wildflowers and Wellness Day – a community gardening event in Easton led by Global Majority communities with Nature Rising, focusing on skills sharing and pollinator habitats. With the funding they also planted a medicinal garden.

Printing the Commons – a creative collaboration partnering with Bristol Commons and six MA Printmaking students to explore social transformation, socio-ecological justice and collective action through print.

Cables and Camera’s 6sense – alum founded Cables & Cameras hosted an evening celebrating diverse and ground-breaking cinema, music, and storytelling at the independent Cube Cinema in Bristol. The screening included two documentary short films from South Africa with a Q&A session and was supported by student volunteers doing promotion, social media, video and audio.

Ashton Park School Mural – a colourful mural celebrating diversity and inclusivity brightens a Bristol city underpass thanks to a collaboration between students from Ashton Park School and UWE Bristol Illustration and Fine Art students Bristol.

Wisdom for the Global Majority – UWE Bristol MA Journalism students have developed a podcast series, ‘Wisdom from the Global Majority’. It tells the stories of migrants and refugees in Bristol through their own words. Students worked in collaboration with not-for-profit social enterprise ACH, pairing up with refugees and migrants who have been supported by ACH and using their storytelling skills to explore and celebrate successes often overlooked by mainstream media.

More information

The UWE Bristol Community Grant is jointly funded with the Quartet Community Foundation.

Thank you to all supporters of the UWE Bristol Fund. For more information about the Fund and how to donate visit our UWE Bristol Fund webpages.

Reporting to the UN: Silas Adekunle calls for inclusion in AI

Alumni Team | 11 November 2025

Alum Silas Adekunle was invited by the United Nations to give a statement at the historic launch of the Global Dialogue on AI Governance this autumn.

The advice he gave to the General Assembly of world leaders was born out of his experience, passion and expertise as a builder of technologies in both the UK, and Nigeria.

Silas called for a framework that empowers innovators everywhere, especially across Africa.

Silas’ speech to those responsible for ensuring AI development is inclusive, trustworthy and globally relevant:

Excellencies and distinguished colleagues, thank you for having me here today and for the leadership that has brought such a diverse community together.

Since age 12, I’ve lived between Nigeria and the UK and I’ve seen first-hand how technology gaps become chasms.

That experience drives everything I do – from building education and gaming tech that captured imaginations, to creating visual AI for science at Reach Industries, and developing AI for African languages at Awarri.

Today’s launch matters because it tackles that gap at scale.

I speak with a dual perspective – someone who has built in resource-limited settings and also seen how quickly ideas can scale when ecosystems trust and invest in innovators.

The UN is getting three things right in its AI governance approach – and these matter deeply to builders like me:

First, the independent scientific panel. I’ve pitched to enough VCs to know there is a gap between hype and reality. Governments need unbiased technical assessment to cut through claims and focus on what’s real.

Second, and this is huge, inclusion.

More than a hundred countries have been absent from AI governance conversations until now. These are countries dealing with challenges Silicon Valley hasn’t thought about.

When we built Nigeria’s first national language model in partnership with the Government, we faced challenges like tonal speech, unseen in AI built for high-resource languages.

Third, the funding mechanism. AI investment follows old wealth patterns. This initiative could break that cycle.

I’m proof that small, agile teams can build cutting-edge AI systems that serve entire nations and transform whole industries. But we shouldn’t have to fight for every dollar whilst also solving global challenges. We need support.

The UN and its Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies now have the huge responsibility to keep the UN fit for purpose and to turn this into follow-through. It needs resourcing, technical expertise, with people who understand both code and policy. And staying close to those building on the ground.

To countries joining these talks: don’t be polite, be demanding. Your farmers need different AI than Wall Street; your students face challenges other parts of the world can’t imagine. Make that known.

AI is moving fast. We need outcomes, not just dialogue: real capacity building, interoperable systems, and trust – genuine trust that this technology won’t leave half the world behind.

If governance is shaped only by those who already hold power, it isn’t governance – it’s entrenchment. Let’s build something that truly works – not just for the few, but for everyone.

If the next majority are left out, the world misses out on what its young brilliant minds, including Africa’s, have to offer!

Thank you.

Silas Adekunle

BSc(Hons) Robotics, 2014

Honorary Doctor of Technology, 2018

Reach Industries

Awarri

See a video of Silas delivering this speech at the UN on LinkedIn.

Circular economy alumni heroes

Alumni Team | 28 October 202526 November 2025

Minimising waste and maximising the use of resources is what a circular economy is all about. A circular economy supports sustainable growth, environmental protection, and social equity.

Unlike the traditional linear economy of ‘take, make, use, dispose’, it aims to keep materials in use for longer, reduce environmental impact, and decouple growth from resource consumption through reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycling. (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021).

Failure to transition to this system risks resource depletion, pollution, climate breakdown, and economic instability.

Meet the alumni whose work is driving the change.

Sam Hodgson

BA(Hons) Business Team Entrepreneurship, 2025

Founder of Enviro IT

Sam’s passion for technology coupled with a frustration with waste started as a teenager. Now it’s his business.

While studying Team Entrepreneurship Sam developed his business with support from UWE’s Student Ventures. From their new base in the Sustainability Hub on Frenchay Campus, Enviro IT offers affordable refurbished laptops and IT recycling services with secure data destruction.

In the tech sector, a circular economy means products, components and materials are reused, refurbished, remanufactured and recycled. This approach exemplified by Enviro IT minimises the depletion of natural resources and pollution through waste.

“1/3 of the items we throw away aren’t broken, half of it could be easily fixed.” ^{_{The Restart Project}}

Jenny Ford

MSc Sustainable Development in Practice, 2018

Founder of Materials in Mind

Jenny’s work drives circular transformation in construction – connecting materials, technology, and people. They founded Materials in Mind in 2018 – a consultancy specialising in skills and partnerships in the built environment sector.

Jenny’s work bridges industry, education, and community through multiple innovative initiatives, all making circular and low-carbon practice accessible, connected, and commercially viable. Find out more:

Factory X – A network for regenerative and circular practice in the construction industry.

Insight Space Studio – Using 3D mapping and 360 scanning technology to support councils, landlords, occupiers, agents and designers to better understand their buildings.

ESJ Collaborations (LinkedIn) – Environmental, Social, Joyful. Low carbon and positive impact projects that foster local and long-term resilience.

Fred Peck

BA(Hons) Business (Entrepreneurship), 2024

Founder of Fred and Gilbert Twin Vintage

Specialising in second hand 90s and 2000s vintage sportswear, Fred and Gilbert Twin Vintage champions quality textile recycling, combatting huge waste created by the fashion industry each year (approximately one truckload every second). Fred and his brother are passionate about the reuse of robust well-made and styled garments.

Starting as a shop on Frenchay campus, they’ve now relocated to Bristol’s creative sustainability hub, Sparks. Sparks is a sustainable and socially orientated city centre department store housed in an old Marks & Spencer’s store, now supporting over 40 independent small businesses.

“Every year, the fashion industry churns out about 92 million tons of textile waste.” _{^{The Earth.Org}}

Nina Gizzie

BSc(Hons) Biomedical Sciences, 2014

Operations and Development Manager, Share Bristol – Library of Things

Nina works for Share Bristol, who opened a Library of Things on Frenchay Campus last year, where students, staff and the local community can borrow items for home, hobbies, study or practical tasks. From drills, tents and sewing machines to guitars, there’s a treasure trove to explore.

Borrowing instead of buying saves money and helps reduce the environmental impact of buying new. The Library of Things movement is growing across the globe, empowering people and communities, reducing waste and making good use of our resources.

Nina is using a decade of Regional Operations and Management experience to scale the charity’s impact. Her role focuses on laying the foundation for growth and supporting the development of more sites to ensure that sharing is easy and accessible for everyone in Bristol, boosting the reach and awareness of the Library of Things movement.

“The UK is the second biggest producer of electrical waste in the world, and still buys 1.7 million brand new electrical products each year.”

^{Library of Things}

Samantha Shaw

BA(Hons) Sociology, 2025

Founder Dolly Shop

Samantha’s Bristol-based Dolly Shop creates handmade soft toys and miniature clothing that challenge fast fashion and promote sustainability. Her passion is informed by her dissertation, which explored the social and environmental consequences of fast fashion.

Supported by Student Ventures, Sam’s pop-up shop on Frenchay campus and clothes making workshops run at our Repair Café have taught students and staff practical hands-on sewing, alteration and pattern cutting expertise.

Staff and students can join Samantha for Make your own clothes: sustainable sewing workshop on Glenside campus on Tuesday 4 November as part of UWE Bristol’s Green Week. Booking required.

Alex Montgomery

MSc Sustainable Development in Practice, 2023

Founder and Director, Generation Soil

Alex founded Bristol based Generation Soil Community in 2021, with a mission of nurturing people and planet through food. They run food waste compost schemes, food education workshops, and urban food production sites. Alex also works as a Doctoral Researcher with UK Food Systems advancing circular food systems and food education.

Green Week 2025 sees the launch of Frenchay campus’ Wild Kitchen vegan outlet food waste composting scheme with Generation Soil. The resulting compost will be returned to campus and used on our grounds.

“Regenerative practices can boost soil organic carbon by up to 159% and increase crop yields by as much as 29% — delivering both climate and food security benefits.”

^{Kumar, A., Antoniella, G., Blasi, E., & Chiti, T. (2025). Recent advances in regenerative sustainable agricultural strategies for managing soil carbon and mitigating climate change consequences}

Find out more and get involved

At UWE Bristol:

In Bristol:

More widely:

Sign painter Tozer and her Ringmaster Gromit

Alumni Team | 24 June 202525 June 2025

A circus Ringmaster Gromit has been created by Illustration alum Tozer, complete with top hat and tails. Sign painter Tozer was commissioned to create the Gromit inspired by The Greatest Showman story.

Ringmaster Gromit will be at Bristol Children’s Hospital main entrance from Monday 30 June as part of Gromit Unleashed 3, a sculpture-spotting trail happening this summer to raise funds for sick children.

Tozer is based in Bristol, but her art of beautiful hand-crafted signs has taken her across the world over the last 10 years. Find out about her creative beginnings, the challenge of this commission and why she loves her job.

Tozer in her studio

How did you feel when you were asked to design a Gromit for Gromit Unleashed 3?

It sounds cliché, but I was just incredibly excited! The design was a collaborative effort – the general brief and visual idea were curated by the Grand Appeal team and I drew him up in my own style.

“I loved the circus aesthetic – that world is deeply entwined with traditional lettering and signwriting skills and it was a pleasure to bring that combination to life.”

Were there any challenges to overcome in making the Gromit?

Definitely – the main one was the physical challenge of painting it, I had to book in a massage once I was finished! There were so many little areas that were tricky to get to, and mine had a few extra tough spots with him having a top hat as an accessory.

“I lost count of how many times I stood up and knocked my head on his ears or chin!”

A work in progress – Tozer and Ringmaster Gromit

Watch Tozer’s film of the process of painting this heroic hound.

When did you first start drawing?

I can’t remember exactly, but I know it was from a very young age.

“I have fond memories of asking my dad to go up into the loft and bring down these huge sheets of coloured paper for me to scribble on in the middle of the living room floor.”

I get my creative flair from him – he’s done a few murals in his time and still regularly doodles.

What stands out in your memories of UWE Bristol?

I remember being one of the students that would very regularly stay late. Before I found signwriting, I experimented a huge amount with different materials and techniques.

“I tried to make as much use as possible of all of the tools and special equipment UWE had on offer.”

I was a regular at the screen printing area for a while, then the print rooms, the woodworking area, even the laser cutting room for a time.

What do you love about your job?

I love the variety the most.

“One day I can be in somebody’s home gilding their fanlight, then at a restaurant in the countryside painting an A-Board, the next I may be painting a mural in Bath.”

Then there are weeks where I get to work from my lovely studio, listen to podcasts and eat spicy noodles.

Tozer painting in studio

Finally, what would be your dream commission?

“I’d love to sink my teeth into a really extensive full tattoo shop job with the full works – design work, shop sign, window gilds, A-Boards, interior signage, fanlight, swing sign.”

If somebody has £10,000 to spare and wants the snazziest tattoo shop in Bristol or beyond, get in touch!

About Gromit Unleashed 3

Gromit Unleashed 3 is organised by the Grand Appeal team, who partner with Aardman Animation to raise money for Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Ringmaster Gromit is located outside Bristol Children’s Hospital in Bristol from 30 June until 31 August 2025.

A sneak preview of five new sculptures for this year’s trail (including Ringmaster Gromit) has been revealed by organisers.

UWE Bristol alumni – quick links

A passion for prickly pears: the Bristolian building a business on cactus juice

Alumni Team | 6 May 20258 May 2025

Born and raised in Bristol, Sam Jukes founded Cacto Drinks in 2020 while still studying his BA(Hons) in Sports Business and Entrepreneurship. With the support of the UWE Bristol Entrepreneurial Futures Award (EFA), Sam’s company is going from strength to strength, and they’ve recently closed a successful investment round.

Sam’s prickly pear fascination

Sam was researching sustainable crops and water deprivation when his brother mentioned the cactus fruit to him. The prickly pear’s impressive nutritional profile – packed with electrolytes, antioxidants, and natural hydration – intrigued him. Sam’s first taste was a revelation, sparking years of experimentation and countless homemade recipes.

“Winning a taste of the West gold award this year is testament to the deliciousness of prickly pear and years of me being a mad cactus scientist in the kitchen.”

Sam with prickly pear plants

The science behind Cacto’s health and sustainability claims

Prickly pear cactus water is naturally hydrating and rich in antioxidants and electrolytes, making it great for skin, recovery, and digestion. Its light, subtly sweet flavour is a bonus.

According to Sam, the prickly pear is a real powerhouse when it comes to sustainability too.

“It requires no irrigation and thrives in harsh climates.

It’s the third most effective plant at carbon capture and requires less water per kg of fruit yield than any other plant, making it one of the most planet-friendly crops.”

The impact of EFA funding

Cacto Drinks won two lots of funding totalling £25,000 through the EFA, a programme supporting final-year and graduating student entrepreneurs at UWE Bristol, funded by alum Peter Fane.

“The people behind the programme believed in the idea from day one, and that meant a lot.”

The funding was a launchpad for Cacto, allowing Sam to finalise product development, refine recipes, and perfect the brand.

Mutually supportive links with UWE Bristol

Sam’s relationship with UWE continues to grow. The company have collaborated with a sustainability student intern to track and improve environmental impact.

Sam says UWE Bristol’s support has gone way beyond the funding – from legal and accountancy advice to help through multiple rounds of grants.

“Special thanks go Leanne Newton from Enterprise and to Kristian Fernandez-Mitchell who championed Cacto and helped stock it at One Zone and Morrisons on Frenchay campus.”

Cacto drinks for sale on campus

“I now advise current students through the Enterprise Team, a full-circle moment that I find deeply fulfilling.”

What’s next for Cacto Drinks?

Cacto drink promotional photo

With a successful funding round behind them, Cacto Drinks is focused on scaling up production to meet demand and expanding their retail footprint.

“I’m excited to see Cacto landing in more fridges across the UK. The team is growing, new marketing and sampling campaigns are launching, and the brand continues to stand out for its flavour, values, and greater purpose.”

Finally, Sam’s top prickly pear fact

Prickly pears are fascinating fruits. But Sam’s favourite fact is that the prickly pear cactus is central to the legend about the founding of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlán, where modern-day Mexico City lies and it features on the Mexican flag.

“Aztecs considered the prickly pear cactus sacred and it’s still a symbol of Aztec cultural identity today.

And did I mention, prickly pear juice can reduce hangover symptoms. Not that I’d know anything about that.”

Mexico’s coat of arms depicting prickly pear cactus, golden eagle and snake.

Student innovation and enterprise is celebrated and supported at UWE Bristol, including financial support for new business ideas and start-ups.

UWE Bristol alumni – quick links

What links alum Clive and 64 Arts students?

Alumni Team | 24 January 202524 January 2025

Graphic Design alum and Creative Director Clive Watson was looking to brighten up a new office development in Broadmead, Bristol. He connected with student creative agency New Wave to explore the idea of procuring artwork.

[New Wave is our student creative agency, with an upcoming show at the Arnolfini. More on that later.]

A win-win project

New Wave worked with Clive, to develop a brief commissioning student artwork to furnish all of the corridors and the public spaces in the building.

64 students worked on the project, from Illustration, Fine Art, Animation, Photography and Media Production courses. The work provided students with experience in a wide spectrum of skills within the commissioning process, including meeting clients, managing feedback, framing and installation. 40 framed prints, 70 prints for launch party gift bags, and over 100 digital images and animations were delivered.

Commissioned artwork by student Dulcie Wagstaff – Geranium

Commissioned artwork by student Tim Clarke – Clifton Suspension Bridge

Commissioned artwork by student Lucy-Bentley -Waterfall

“It was a great project – everyone was happy. It’s hard for students to find a stepping stone into the real world. It completed the circle – starting with my studies at Bower Ashton and my own career journey. I was pleased to be able to work alongside students and offer them opportunities in the commercial environment.”

Clive Watson, Director of Apply Within

Student Abbi Bayliss visiting the site in Broadmead

What is New Wave exactly?

New Wave is a student creative agency at UWE Bristol’s School of Arts. Co-designed with students and in collaboration with industry professionals and internal partners, New Wave is redefining professional experience in higher education.

It was established in 2023, in response to internal and industry research that highlights the complex and often hidden barriers to careers in the creative industries.

New Wave is nurturing a more inclusive future for the creative industries.

Find out more at the Arnolfini show

UWE | New Wave Agency – Arnolfini presents student projects with industry clients, all facilitated by New Wave during its first year of operation.

Featuring diverse mediums and practices, from festival banners to ceramic slugs, the show runs 8 February – 16 March 2025, 11:00 – 18:00 at Arnolfini, Bristol.

More about the show >

To contact New Wave directly email newwave@uwe.ac.uk

UWE Bristol alumni – quick links

Half a century of friendship

Alumni Team | 10 December 202410 December 2024

^{Val Rumbol (née Bishop) and Pat Field (née Millar), 1976}

From 1974 to 2024 – a trip back in time

When Pat reached out to organise a 50^th reunion for a group of UWE Bristol alumni, I knew we were about to witness something special. This group of friends has stayed connected since their student days, studying HND Business Studies (International Marketing and Languages) from 1974-1976 at Bristol Polytechnic.

Vintage marketing brochures — Pat’s original HND Business Studies (International Marketing and Languages) leaflets from 1970s

Their gathering was a celebration of enduring friendship, personal growth, and shared memories.

Walking through the bustling Frenchay Campus on an autumnal Friday morning, they marvelled not only at the expanded facilities but at the vibrant energy that seemed to mirror their own student days. This was the first time they had stepped foot on site since graduating in 1976. Finding what may have been their old lecture theatre was a true highlight—bringing back flashes of memories of long-ago classes and youthful ambition.

Vintage photo of large new building with a field in foreground — Frenchay campus, 1976

“We knew there would be lots of changes and developments to the buildings and the educational opportunities, but we were really blown away by what we saw, especially the Business and Law School. It was so impressive! The quality of materials used, and the thoughtful design have resulted in a fantastic place to study. Lucky students of today!”

Patricia Field, UWE Bristol alumni and reunion organiser.

Lifelong friendships

We reminisced about their student years, looking through some old photos at bars and various meet ups spanning the past 50 years.

Vintage photo of city street, looking up a hill. — Park Street 1975

They recalled their first year at Unity Street – now a block of flats in the centre of Bristol – and how much has changed. Pat and her husband, Ian, recalled those days fondly. As a lifelong friend of the group, Ian proudly claims an unofficial ‘honorary alum’ status.

Vintage photo of urban street with tall red brock building — Unity Street Polytechnic building, where they studied in their first year

Despite their busy schedule, the group even fitted in a group zoom call with a course member in America, Martyn Holland.

Successful careers

The course led them all to careers in global companies using both the international marketing and the modern language elements of the course. They all went on to work with major brands in marketing, advertising, marketing research, computing, retailing, the travel industry and publishing.

It was great to hear how their time at UWE Bristol prepared them for their working lives, with real-life experience incorporated into their learning– reflecting the university’s long-standing commitment to applied learning and career readiness.

As we said our goodbyes, it was clear that while the buildings and times may change, the bond these friends share remains as strong as ever. It’s a reminder of how formative those university years can be and how friendships forged in lecture halls and student bars often last a lifetime.

Photo of a group of women facing camera in front of university building — Alumni Gail Davies, Valerie Rumbol (neé Bishop), Patricia Field (neé Millar), Rose Adderley (Alumni Engagement Manager), Jane Wood, Jennie Emmerson (neé Lane) on Business and Law School forecourt.

“Thank you so much for making our 50th reunion visit to UWE Bristol such a wonderful occasion. We all thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to reminisce about our lives at the Poly so many years ago.” – Patricia

Reunion attendees:

Patricia Field (neé Millar)
Gail Davies
Jennie Emmerson (neé Lane)
Valerie Rumbol (neé Bishop)
Jane Wood

The group would welcome contact from other members of their 1974 cohort. Please get in touch via alumni@uwe.ac.uk

Blog written by Rose Adderley – Alumni Engagement Manager

50 years on, Dr Bolland’s legacy endures

Alumni Team | 4 December 202417 December 2024

^{Planting trees at Coldharbour Lane (Dr Bolland in the hat) 1973}

Dr Robert Bolland was the first director of Bristol Polytechnic (1969-1974). Fifty years after his death, the values he built our institution on still endure. We look back at the life of Chemist and Educationalist Dr Bolland and find out more about how he influenced the early days of what was to become UWE Bristol.

Dr Bolland

Widening participation

“Throughout the years since Polytechnics came into being Dr Bolland made many contributions to the development of their educational philosophy…These contributions were characterised by a deep concern for social justice”

Bristol Polytechnic News, June 1974

Students who had to overcome obstacles to study were of particular concern for Dr Bolland. Under his leadership, opportunities were created at the new Polytechnic for people from all social backgrounds to access education.

The building of Bristol Polytechnic at Frenchay, 1972

These deeply felt convictions were born out of his own experiences. His career spanned diverse educational settings, and he cultivated an inclusive perspective. From his involvement in the Scout movement to his role as Lecturer at Makerere University College in Kampala Uganda, his horizons were broad. He also worked as a chemist whilst he studied for his first degree, giving him an appreciation of a hands-on approach.

Dr Bolland was passionate about opening-up alternative routes to qualifications and committed to offering part-time courses, and sandwich courses that integrated academic study with work. These principles of widening participation and practice led courses set the tone for the ethos of Bristol Polytechnic.

His ongoing gift

Dr Bolland’s inclusive approach continues to underpin our strategy. Today our equality, diversity and inclusivity vision drives UWE Bristol’s work to remove barriers to education.

We offer placements, internships, live case studies and consultancy projects to provide practical learning experiences for our students. Our ambitious apprenticeship programme combines on-the-job training with academic study, echoing our vocational roots as a Polytechnic.

But the legacy of Dr Bolland can be felt throughout the University, not just in our approach, but physically too. Dr Bolland donated money in his will to support the progression of Bristol Polytechnic.

His gift supported the development of the Bolland Library on Frenchay campus, and is remembered through a bust, sculpted by Ernest Pascoe, Head of Fine Art at Bristol Polytechnic, Bower Ashton School of Art.

Dr Bolland bust, by Ernest Pascoe, sited in Frenchay’s Bolland Library

Bolland Library, 1970s

The generosity of donors like Dr Bolland continues to impact students now. Donors give funds for capital projects, support student and alumni business ventures and provide funds for valuable grants supporting student led projects or individual hardship grants. Find out more about supporting us through the UWE Bristol Fund.

Dr Bolland and his wife at his farewell in 1969 from the University of Bath

More on Dr Robert Bolland’s life and career…

Robert William Bolland was a chemist and dedicated educationalist whose career qualified him admirably for the post of the first Director of Bristol Polytechnic, a role he held from 1969 to his death in 1974.

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was educated at the Rutherford Grammar School and College of Technology. On leaving school he studied part-time while gaining practical experience on the analytical staff of a firm of manufacturing and analytical chemists.

At 28 he had achieved the position of Chief Chemist and had graduated as an external student of London University with a BSc (Special) Honours Degree in Chemistry. His PhD (London) was to follow in 1946. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry (RIC) in 1938 and was awarded the Fellowship in 1947. From 1943 – 45 he was employed by the Ministry of Supply undertaking research on ‘Gassing of Aluminised Explosives’ and ‘Sealing Compounds’.

In 1945 he was appointed Lecturer in Inorganic and Physical Chemistry at Leeds College of Technology and two years later to a similar post in Uganda at Makere University College, Kampala. A period of secondment to the Institute of Education, London University and further teaching at Makere was followed by a return to the Rutherford College as a Senior Lecturer.

He moved to the Bristol College of Technology in 1955 where, as Head of a Department of Chemistry and Biology, he showed his ability in administration. Over the following years he played a significant part in the policy and academic decisions which elevated the Bristol College first to a College of Advanced Technology, and later to the University of Bath where he became the first Professor of Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry. His return to Bristol in 1969 as Director of the Polytechnic seemed to follow almost naturally.

He entered fully into the professional life of chemists serving on the North East RIC Committee and later at Bristol where he occupied the Chair of the Bristol and West Section. He was elected Member of Council in 1960 and served a two-year period as a Vice-president chairing the Examinations Board and the Publications Committee. He was a founder Governor of the Further Education Staff College at Blagdon and an External Examiner to the new University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

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