Alumni in Focus

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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.

Alumna Sofia Pellaschiar, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in International Business Management in June, runs an inspiring platform called My Self-Love Supply, which she launched during her third year at RGU.

Madame Modish runs a fashion and style consulting agency in her home city of Lagos, where she has recently authored the first fashion and style book to come out of Nigeria.

Patrick Baker, RGU Alumnus and published author, recently released his third book, The Unremembered Places - Exploring Scotland’s Wild Histories, which has been shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Mountain Literature Award.

Andrew Davidson is a young inventor who last month launched M:X®, a sports nutrition brand with innovation at it's core.

RGU Alumna and frontline NHS doctor Dr Christina Mackaill develops zero gravity method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) suitable for astronauts in space.

Clare started a Highland Tartan Uprising on 14 October 2017 and with the help of her rebels, has built a brand that truly understands the value of authenticity and integrity.

The Forensics graduate is fighting crime with chemistry, being one of only twenty students selected to complete a STEM graduate research fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The award-winning artist, who was born in the arctic town of Yellowknife in Northwest Canada but grew up in Scotland, has spent time since graduation developing her skills and building her portfolio.

A young Aberdeen artist presented his first solo show, after returning to Gray’s School of Art as Painting Graduate in Residence.