Alumni in Focus

Alumni & Supporters

Alumni in Focus

Our alumni are truly inspiring - finding their purpose, realising their full potential and living life to the fullest. Read their stories.

Sheli McCoy

It’s a Saturday night in 1997 and Sheli is sat on the sofa waiting for another instalment of Lycra-clad athletes battling it out on BBC’s Gladiators. Little did she know, she’d be on that very show in the years to come.

Claire Bruce

In February 2004, Facebook launched for people to share their narratives of the day. But over at Gray’s School of Art, plans were in motion for another portfolio of stories to be shared.

Weronika Turowska

A “treasure trove of invaluable experiences” is how she reflects on her 2023 Degree Show. But the experiences didn’t stop there, Weronika Turowska gives us an update on the road to now.

Kirsty Skea

Tumbling over and grazing your knee, a common past time of our childhood. But could we have avoided those knocks and bruises? At her Gray’s Degree Show in 2023, Kirsty Skea explored that very thing

Karthik Sunil

It was an adventure back to his childhood through his Gray’s Degree Show in 2023. Kartik Suni turns back the clock to tell us about his exhibiting year in our Gray’s Degree Show Q&A.

James Galbraith

He moved over from Canada to study Marketing at RGU, but little did he know that he’d be leaving with a content production agency in addition to his degree.

Melissa Clare

When she was at school, her Wednesday evenings were often spent in her school’s Technology Department in its after-school club. It was here her passion for STEM started.

Barry Duncan

Little or large, the value of a gift is priceless. Whether it’s a donation of time or money, the impact is evergreen.

Laura Bremner

Now more than ever, the desire to switch off from the world’s noise becomes more pressing. That idea of escapism is something Laura of Juniper Press has found through her creative process.

Eilidh Southren

What changes can we all make to shape a more inclusive world? Eilidh Southren (Computer Science, Class of 2019) who shares the “quick wins” to boost equality in all its forms.

Kairen Griffiths

What’s the secret to building a successful start-up? Time, money, passion – the list goes on. We catch up with a juicing entrepreneur to learn what ingredients are in the blend of their growing brand.

Chris Burnett

Following the release of 'Conversations', we connected with alum Chris Burnett to delve into his author journey and how his studies at RGU aided his personal project.

Robbie Leith

Alumni return to campus to share their career insights with students and graduates at to our upcoming career networking events. Robbie Leith joined our first session and answers our career Q&A.

Sophie Randles

The CV is updated, the cover letter has been crafted and the hit list of roles is building – the career search is on. But have you covered everything?

National Subsea Centre Alumni

It's a triple alumni-whammy this month as we spotlight three alums working at the National Subsea Centre.

Laura Sherriffs

After studying Fashion Design at Gray's School of Art, it didn't take long for Laura Sherriffs to start producing outdoor accessories under her brand Fernweh.

Emma Grant

"Even after graduation, the learning never stops,” says 2015 events management alum Emma Grant who now works as assistant director in the events team at Moody’s.

Emma Murray

The Gray’s School of Art Masters Degree Show is back for another year and during the show is your chance to see the exhibitions of school’s Graduate in Residence (GiR) exhibitions.

Emma Murray

Not knowing what path to take after university can be a daunting and alum Emma Murray assures students that not having your career steps planned can be a blessing.

Mark Kemp

In any industry, change is inevitable and how you react to change can either make or break a business. Mark Kemp shares the opportunities evolving industries and careers can bring.

Stuart Common

In 2007, Stuart Common stepped through the doors of Mackie's of Scotland for his placement year while studying Management at RGU.

Kairen Griffiths

On the publishing of her book ‘Memories from the Frontline’, we caught up with nursing alum Kairen Griffiths to learn more.

Elijah Smith

As Gray’s Degree Show celebrates its 2023 graduates through the theme Neon Future, we’re stepping back in time with memories from the school’s alumni.

Gabi Reith

Aberdeenshire artist and illustrator Gabrielle Reith, takes us back to her Gray’s Degree Show in her Q&A blog.

Emmajane Kingaby

Throughout this week, alumni from Gray’s School of Art are taking us back to their Gray’s Degree Show. Emmajane Kingaby turns back the clock to her 2022 exhibit.

David Iain Brown

As the Gray’s Degree Show 2023 opens its doors to the public this week, contemporary art practice alum (Class of 2017) David Iain Brown, shares his degree show memories.

Ica Headlam

Following his studies in social work (Class of 2012), Ica Headlam paved out a career using his interest in arts and culture to create impactful learning opportunities for young people.

Celda-Mae Tyndall

Teamwork makes the dream work they say and a collective of Gray’s School of Art graduates and staff have rallied together to open Aberdeen Ceramics Studio.

Startup Accelerator 2023 Participants

The final showcase of this year’s Startup Accelerator is hours away. Tonight (Thursday 11 May), six of this year’s participants will leave with a share of £30,000 in equity-free funding to make their business dreams a reality.

Olasoji Amujo

Bagging your first job off the back of your first interview would be a dream for many graduates, but that was quite the reality for 2022 Business Analytics alum Olasoji Amujo.

Leah Davis

Less than a year after her studies at Gray’s School of Art, Pop Portrait artist Leah Davis brings her first post-graduation exhibition to the eyes of the public.

Kirstin Bell

Lecturer in Events, Hospitality and Tourism, Kirstin Bell takes a seat in the Alumni in Focus chair to share her full-circle career journey from events student to lecturer at RGU.

Anil Daniel

Choosing which university to study at is a big decision, especially if you’re an international student planning an overseas move.

Nadia Hassan

So, you’ve graduated from studying Public Relations at RGU but what does your first year in PR look like? Nadia Hassan shares her reflections on her year with Muckle Media.

Swetha Akshita

From living in Bangalore to living in Aberdeen, international student Swetha Akshita gives an insight to what international graduates can expect when looking for work in the UK.

Jasmin Corbett

Since graduating from RGU in 2012, Jasmin Corbett now spends her days transforming the lives of her clients through her health coaching business Wellthy You.

Frazer Nicol

From “howler” tax implications to career opportunities, the ability to roll with change has been a consistent for 2012 Accountancy and Finance graduate Frazer Nicol.

Lydia Ofori

Lydia Ofori, Founder, CEO and formidable force in the finance industry, is changing how people invest by levelling out the playing field for millennial investors.

Henry Blake

Henry Blake, Dragon’s Den contestant and managing director of Scottish company WoodBlocX, studied Architectural Technology at RGU in 2001 and now runs a successful business in the Highlands of Scotland.

Ciarán Russell

Ciarán Russell, Liquid Innovation Manager at Sipsmith Gin in London, graduated from RGU in 2017 with a BSc in Bioscience with Biomedical Science before studying an MSc in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot Watt.

Mostafa Adel Hanafy

Mostafa Adel, a PhD researcher at the University of Illinois, has over nine years’ experience working with and volunteering for leading international organisations including Save the Children, United Nations Volunteers, GIZ and UNICEF.

Willy Findlater

Willy Findlater, Architect Alumnus of RGU, graduated from three degree courses in the 70s. By 1984 he was Director of Architecture on the board of Valtos, an international multi-disciplinary practice.

Matthew Head

Matthew Head, Senior Design Engineer for RML Group and Alumnus of RGU, completed an MEng in mechanical and electrical engineering in 2015, on the fast-track Master’s programme.

Anna Smith

Anna Smith, alumna and entrepreneur, launched her new book and wine subscription business Words With Wine seven years after graduating and during the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Bethany M Galley

Bethany Galley graduated in 2019 with a BA (Hons) in Communication Design. Her final year photography project - ‘Through the Lens’, won her the prestigious BP Design Award 2019.

Erin Smith

Erin Smith took the bold step of starting her own creative film and video production company, Pink Sphynx Media, straight out of university and during a global pandemic.

Ed Pollock

Ed Pollock joined RGU as a student of Events Management. Fast forward nine years and several roles with the university, he’s now Innovation Manager for the RGU Entrepreneurship and Innovation Group.

Rachel Sim

Rachel Sim started her homeware and soft furnishings business Spruce Homeware in 2020, after graduating into a global pandemic and at a time when employers were not taking on new staff.

Bibo Keeley

Bibo Keeley graduated in Contemporary Art in 2019 and lives in a two-artist household with her husband Brian Keeley. Her art focuses on her life experiences and being deeply connected to nature.

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