Bestselling writers, Oscar-winning actors, medal-winning Olympians and world-leading scientists – discover the Leeds graduates making waves around the globe.
Notable alumni by field of work
Art and design
- Sophie Ashby (History of Art 2010) – Interior designer
- Steve Bell (Fine Art 1974, Hon DLitt 2007) – Cartoonist
- Emma Biggs (Fine Art 1980) – Mosaic artist
- Fionnuala Boyd (Fine Art 1967) – Visual artist, Boyd and Evans
- Tandazani Dhlakama (MA Art Gallery and Museum Studies 2015) – Assistant Curator, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
- John Elderfield (Fine Art 1966, MPhil 1970, Hon DLitt 2006) – Chief Curator Emeritus of Painting and Sculpture, MOMA
- Jacky Fleming (Fine Art 1978) – Cartoonist; illustrator
- Thierry Ford (History of Fine and Decorative Arts 1993) – Paintings Conservator, National Museum of Art Norway
- Ben Ib (Fine Art 1997) – Creative director; director, music videos; CG artist
- Marcus Lyon (Political Studies 1987) – Photographer
- Sara MacKillop (Fine Art 1996) – Artist
- Rosalind McKever (History of Art 2005) – Curator, V&A
- Elizabeth Price (PhD Fine Art 1999) – Video artist; winner, Turner Prize
- Linda Thompson (Fine Art and Cultural Studies 1991) – Sculptor
- Syrago Tsiara (Social History of Art 1991) – Director, National Gallery, Athens
Books
- Rose Cartwright (English 2008) – Author, Pure; screenwriter; Co-Founder, Made of Millions
- Louise Doughty (English 1984) – Novelist; screenwriter; Fellow, Royal Society of Literature
- Tananarive Due (MA English 1988) – Novelist, African Immortals series; Winner, American Book Award
- Matt Haig (MA English 1998) – Author, The Midnight Library
- Nicky Hayes (Psychology 1975) – Author, Psychologist
- David Hessayon OBE (Botany 1950, Hon DSc 2008) – Author, Expert Guides for gardening
- Anna Jacobs (General Studies 1962) – Novelist
- Alison Joseph (French and Philosophy 1981) – Detective novelist; radio dramatist
- Alex North (Philosophy 1998) – Novelist, thrillers
- Gervase Phinn (Education 1970) – Author; raconteur; educationalist
- Helen Rappaport (Russian and Slavonic Studies 1970, Hon DLitt 2017) – Author; historian
- Peter Robinson (English 1974, Honorary DLitt 2009) – Novelist, Inspector Banks series
- Hallie Rubenhold (History 1995, MPhil 1997) – Author, historical books; broadcaster
- Amy Sackville (English and Theatre Studies 2002) – Novelist; Fellow, Royal Society of Literature
- Wole Soyinka (English 1957, Hon DLitt 1973) – Playwright; poet; essayist; winner, Nobel prize for literature 1986
- Ngugi wa Thiong'o (English 1967 ND, Honorary DLitt 2004) – Novelist; playwright; winner, UNESCO prize
Charity
- Caroline Anstey (International History and Politics 1977) – President, CEO, Pact
- Jamie Crummie (Law 2014) – Co-Founder and Director, Too Good to Go
- Adanna Enwezor (MA Global Development 2011) – Founder, African Hair Summit
- Jeeja Ghosh (MA Disability Studies 2006) – Project lead, EnAble India
- Panut Hadisiswoyo (MA Communication Studies 2003) – Founding Director, Orangutan Information Centre, Indonesia
- Mursal Hedayat MBE (Economics 2015) – Founder, Chatterbox
- Ellen Hill (Psychology 2003) – Operations Manager, Yorkshire MESMAC
- Ilse Howling (International History and Politics 1987) – Chair, Education Development Trust
- Rebecca Klein (Zoology 1995) – Managing Director, Cheetah Conservation Botswana
- Mwaura Isaac Maigua (MA Social and Public Policy 2012) – Board member, Global Albinism Alliance; disability activist, politician
- Florence Ndagire (International and European Human Rights Law 2014) – Human Rights Policy Advisor, World Blind Union
- Fiona Spellman (Economics and Politics 2008) – Chief Executive, SHINE: Support and Help in Education
- Olivia Strong MBE (Politics and Sociology 2015) – Founder, Run for Heroes
- Sir Peter Wanless CBE (International History and Politics 1986) – Chief Executive, NSPCC
Digital media and podcasts
- Michael Blades (Communications Studies 2010) – Podcaster, Conned
- Rowan Collinson (History 2001) – Global Functional Lead Podcast Editorial, Spotify
- James Cooper (History 2008), Jamie Morton (Communications Studies 2008) – Podcasters (with Alice Levine), My Dad Wrote a Porno
- Andrew Harrison (Politics and International Studies 1990) – Producer, Podmasters; presenter Bunker, Bigmouth and Oh God What Now?
- Judith Holder (English 1976) – Podcaster, Older and Wider; television producer; comedy writer
- Jamie Laing (Theatre and Performance 2011) – Television personality; Podcaster, Private Parts
- Alice Levine (English 2008) – Podcaster, British Scandal, My Dad Wrote a Porno (with James Cooper and Jamie Morton), Trillion Dollar Conman; presenter, radio and television
- Nicola Mendelsohn CBE (English and Theatre Studies 1992, Hon LLD 2017) – Vice President, Global Business Group, Meta
- Col Needham (Computer Science 1988) – Founder, CEO, IMDb
- Jay Rayner (Political Studies 1987) – Podcaster, Out to Lunch; author; food writer
- Emma Sheldon (Broadcast Journalism 2016) – Fitness and fashion influencer
- Alex Solomou (Management 2013) – Founder, LADbible Group
- Pandora Sykes (English Literature and Language 2009) – Podcaster, The Missing, Pieces of Britney; author; journalist
Fashion
- Patrick Grant (Materials Science and Engineering 1994) – Designer, Sustainable fashion campaigner; TV presenter, Great British Sewing Bee
- Leon Gray (English 2008) – Fashion consultant
- Olivia von Halle (Textile and Fashion Management 2007) – Fashion designer, loungewear
- Georgiana Huddart (Fine Art and Cultural Studies 2009) – Co-founder and fashion designer, Hunza G
- Tsz Yan (Joey) Kong (MBA 2014) – Managing Director, Ma Petite J Bespoke Jewellery Company
- Willem Jaspert (Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American 1999) – Fashion photographer
- Kevin Coatman (Design 2005) – Senior Creative Director – Brand Design, Nike
- Pierre Milchior (Textile Industries 1954) – President, Fashion chain Etam
- Lindsay Nuttall (Management Studies 1998) – Global Marketing Director, Mulberry
- Rebecca Smith (Joint Honours Arts 2003) – Founder, Recliner
Film
- Simon Glass (Cinema, Photography and Television 2007) – Documentary maker, Neopolitan Pictures
- Moin Hussain (Cinema and Photography 2013) – Director, screenwriter
- Rolfe Kent (Psychology 1986) – Film score composer
- Danny Kirrane (Physics 2006) – Actor
- Emma Mackey (English 2016) – Actor, Emily, Barbie, Eiffel; television, Sex Education; winner, BAFTA
- Chris Pine (JYA English 2001) – Actor, Star Trek, Don’t Worry Darling, Wonder Woman 1984
- James Reed (Zoology 2000) – Director, My Octopus Teacher, winner, Academy award
- Ben Roberts (English 1997) – CEO, British Film Institute
- Mim Shaikh (Broadcast Journalism 2012) – Actor, What’s Love Got to Do with It; Documentary filmmaker
Finance
- Caroline Abel (Economic Studies 1999) – Governor, Central Bank of Seychelles; Chairperson, Africa Financial Inclusion Policy; Winner, African Bankers award
- Fatima Ademoh (MSc Financial Risk Management 2013) – Private Sector Investment Manager, OPEC
- Amanda Blanc (MBA 1999) – Group CEO, Aviva; UK Transition Plan Taskforce; Ambassador, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)
- Fiona Cannon OBE (English 1985) – Group Director of Responsible Business and Inclusion, Lloyds Banking Group
- Stephen Daintith (Economics and Accounting 1985) – Chief Financial Officer, Ocado
- Darren Forshaw (Management Studies and Mathematics 1993) – Founder and Partner, Endless LLP
- Hilmar Janusson (PhD Materials Science and Engineering 1995) – CEO, Iðunn Venture Capital
- Sheikh Bilal Khan (Law 2004) – Global Head of Islamic Finance, McCarthy Denning
- Rachel Lord (International History and Politics 1987) – Pacific Senior Managing Director, Chair and Head of Asia-Pacific, BlackRock
- Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE (Healthcare 1983) – Chair, Financial Ombudsman Service
- Daniel Rajkumar (Computing and Management 2002) – CEO, rebuildingsociety.com; Director, Fintech North
- Jennifer Riria (MA Education 1979) – CEO, Kenya Women Holding Group
- Mark Tucker (Textile Management 1980, Hon LLD 2022) – Group Chairman, HSBC
- Derek Yung (Civil Engineering 1984) – CEO, Prudential Hong Kong
Government
- Mansoor Abulhoul (Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies 1997) – United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United Kingdom
- Caroline Alcock OBE (Arabic and French 1993) – Charge d'Affaires, Trinidad and Tobago
- Janet Bainbridge OBE (PGCE 1975) – Head of Agricultural Technology, UK Trade and Investment
- Alison Blackburne (French and Russian 1987) – Deputy British High Commissioner to Pakistan
- Anucha Burapachaisri (Fuel and Energy 1989) – Government spokesman, Thailand
- Oliver Coppard (Politics and Parliamentary Studies 2005) – Mayor, South Yorkshire
- Josephine Gauld (Italian and Philosophy 1996) – British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya; Permanent Representative to United Nations Environment Programme and UN Habitat
- Hage Geingob (PhD Politics and International Studies 2004) – President of Namibia
- Angel Gurría (MA Economics 1974, Honorary LLD 2010) – Co-chair, International Observatory on Information and Democracy
- Alison Lowe (History 1990, MA Medieval Studies 1993, Hon DLitt 2022) – Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, West Yorkshire
- Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (MSc Combustion and Energy 1996, PhD Mechanical Engineering 2001) – Menteri Besar (Chief Minister), Malaysian State of Terengganu
- Mohamed Muizzu (PhD Civil Engineering 2009) – Mayor, Male', capital of Maldives
- Baroness Usha Prashar CBE (Political Studies 1970, Hon LLD 2004) – Crossbench Member, House of Lords, Chair, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) UK Council
- Keir Starmer KCB (Law 1985 Hon LLD 2012) – Leader, Labour Party; Leader of the Opposition
- Jashim Uddin (MA International Studies 1997) – Bangladash Ambassador to China
Healthcare
- Justin Ash (Politics and International Studies 1987) – CEO, Spire Healthcare
- Steve Cumley (Radiography 1999) – Chief Operating Officer, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
- Jackie Daniel DBE (MA Healthcare 1995) – Chief Executive, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Josep Figueras (MA Public Health 1988) – Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
- Catherine Francois (French and Management Studies 1997) – Global Director Consulting and Technical Services, NSF International
- Donna Hall CBE (English 1985) – Chair, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
- Nicky Hayes (Psychology 1975) – President, British Psychological Society
- Andy Jones (Medicine 1997) – CEO, Ramsay Healthcare
Health sciences
- Dominic Behan (Biochemistry 1986) – CEO, Sentia Medical Sciences
- Tina Bonakdar (PhD Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering 2016) – Senior Scientist, Pfizer
- Clive Dix (Pharmacology 1976, PhD 1982) – CEO, C4X Discovery; Former Chair, UK Vaccines Taskforce
- Mark Fielding (PhD Organic Synthetic Chemistry 2000) – Associate Director Regulatory CMC, AstraZeneca
- Yvonne Greenstreet (Medicine 1985) – CEO, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
- Craig Jordan CMG, OBE (BSc Pharmacy and Pharmacology 1969, DSc 1985, PhD 1973, Hon DMed 2001) – Developed tamoxifen; Chief, Basic Science Research and Pharmacology, Managing Director, Anderson Cancer Center
- Simon Long (Medicine 1985) – Head of Medical Affairs, Chugai Pharma Europe
- Nicholas Lydon FRS (Biochemistry and Zoology 1978) – Developed Gleevec (Imatinib); Scientific founder, Blueprint Medicines; Founder, Granite Biopharma
- Iain Mattaj FRS (PhD Genetics 1980, Hon DSc 2018) – Director, Human Technopole
- Ben Osborn (Sport and Exercise Science 1998) – President, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
- Divyen Patel (PhD Medicine 1992) – Founder, President, Genome Explorations
- Tim Robinson CBE (Physiology 1984) – CEO, LGC Group
- Mark Wigglesworth (PhD Biochemistry and Microbiology 2001) – CEO and Co-founder, Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab
Industry
- Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad (Electronic and Electrical Engineering 2006) – Managing Director and CEO, Rural Electrification Agency, Nigeria
- Liz Barber (Geography 1987) – Chair, Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission
- Rob Bradley (Civil Engineering 1981) – CEO, Bouygues UK
- Keith Carpenter (Chemical Engineering 1973, PhD 1976) – Executive Director, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Singapore
- Ian Carr (Chemistry 1984) – President, ExxonMobil Fuels and Lubricants Company
- Juan Flores Preciado (PhD Mechanical Engineering 2010) – Lead Materials and Process Engineer, SpaceX
- Steve Foots (MBA 1994) – Group Chief Executive, Croda International
- David Freedman (Business 1995) – Chief Operating Officer, Beyer Blinder Belle
- Mark Gibson (MSc Earth Sciences 1997) – Chief Operating Officer, Cordoba Minerals
- Mike Haigh (Civil Engineering 1981) – Executive Chair, Mott MacDonald
- John Hirst CBE (Economics 1973) – Chairman, BSI
- Christina King (MBA 2005) – Chief Commercial Officer, Tribosonics
- Bodo Linnhoff (PhD Chemical Engineering 1979) – Developed Pinch Analysis
- Nalin Shinghal (PhD Transport Studies 1999) – Chairman, Managing Director, Bharat Heavy Electricals
- Rachel Skinner CBE (MSc Transport Planning and Engineering 2001, Hon LLD 2022) – Executive Director, WSP; Infrastructure Commissioner for Scotland
Journalism
- Manar Al Hinai (MA Global Development 2009) – Journalist in United Arab Emirates
- Kunle Barker (MA Human Resource Management 1996) – Property expert; broadcaster
- Martine Croxall (Geography 1990) – Presenter, BBC News
- Henry Gee (Genetics and Zoology 1984) – Senior Editor, Biology, Nature magazine; author; winner Royal Society Science Book Prize
- Nancy Kacungira (MA Communication Studies 2009) – Presenter, correspondent, BBC News
- John Leicester (Modern Chinese Studies 1991) – International Sports Columnist, Associated Press
- James Mates (International History and Politics 1983) – Europe Editor, ITV News
- Naga Munchetty (English 1997) – Presenter, BBC Breakfast, BBC 5 Live
- Jacqui Oatley MBE (German 1996) – Sports broadcaster; journalist; Ambassador, Women in Football
- Alison Phillips (International History and Politics 1993) – Editor, Daily Mirror; Chair, Women in Journalism
- Richard Quest (Law 1983) – International Business Correspondent, CNN; host, Quest Means Business
- Anita Rani (Broadcasting 2000) – Presenter, BBC Woman’s Hour, Countryfile; author
- Steve Rosenberg (Russian 1991) – Russia Editor, Moscow Correspondent, BBC
- Kim Rowell (Broadcast Journalism 2006) – Executive Producer and News Editor, BBC; Podcaster, Women of the Future
- David Smith (English and Sociology 1996) – Washington Bureau Chief, The Guardian
- Camilla Tominey (Law 1999) – Associate Editor, Politics and Royals, The Telegraph; Royal expert NBC news
- Fergus Walsh (English 1983) – Medical Editor, BBC
- Anna Woolhouse (Music 2005) – Lead Boxing Presenter, Sky
- Emily Yates (MA Disability Studies 2015) – Presenter, BBC; access consultant; writer, Lonely Planet
Law
- Martin Collinson (History 1987) – Company Secretary, Torque
- Darryl Cooke (Law 1993) – Founder and Executive Chairman, gunnercooke
- Kate Eades (German and Management Studies 1999) – Partner, KPMG Law
- Susan Kirsch (Biochemistry 1986) – Partner and Patent Attorney Carpmaels and Ransford
- Matthew Layton (LLB 1982) – Global Managing Partner, Clifford Chance
- James Libson (English and Arabic 1987) – Managing Partner; Mishcon de Reya LLP, Lawyer of the Year 2020
- Patrick Maddams (Economics and Geography 1972) – Board member, The Faculty Office; Honorary Bencher, The Inner Temple
- Alison Saunders DCB (Law 1982) – Dispute Resolution Partner, Linklaters
- Terry Styant (Management and Philosophy 1990) – Associate General Counsel, Balfour Beatty
- David Wheeler (Law 1987) – General Counsel, Medical Protection Society
- Victoria Whyte (Textiles 1989) – Company Secretary, GSK
Music
- Jude Abbott (French 1984), Boff Whalley (English and History of Art student 1981), Nigel Hunter (English and History student 1980) – Chumbawamba
- Bill Bruford (Economics and Sociology student 1968) – Drummer, Yes, King Crimson; composer; producer; Member, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Jasmine Chen (Music 2004) – Jazz singer, songwriter
- Andy Corrigan (Fine Art 1979), Kevin Lycett (Fine Art 1978), Tom Greenhalgh (Fine Art 1981), Jon Langford (Fine Art 1981) – The Mekons
- Ilan Eshkeri (English and Music 1999) – Composer, A Perfect Planet; gaming, Ghost of Tsushima; film, Swallows and Amazons
- David Gedge (Mathematics 1981) – Songwriter, lead singer, guitarist, The Wedding Present
- Helen Greenaway (Music 1981) – Mezzo, Welsh National Opera
- Chris Haskett (Philosophy 1984) – Guitarist, formerly Rollins Band; producer; composer
- Lina Jonsson (MPhys 2013) – Techno DJ aka SPFDJ
- Barb Jungr (Botany 1975) – Jazz singer
- Jon King (Fine Art 1978), Hugo Burnham (English 1978), Andy Gill (Fine Art 1979) – Gang of Four
- Mark Knopfler OBE (English 1973, Honorary DMus 1995) – Singer, guitarist, songwriter; formerly Dire Straits; winner, BRIT, Grammy; Member, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Jamie Lambert (Spanish 2012) – Singer, Collabro; theatre producer, Lambert Jackson Productions
- Bill Laurance (Music 2003) – Multi-instrumental musician, Snarky Puppy; composer; Grammy award
- Joe Newman (Fine Art 2010), Thom Green (Fine Art 2010), Gus Unger-Hamilton (English 2010) – Alt-J
- Corinne Bailey Rae (English 2000, Honorary DMus 2011) – Singer, songwriter, winner, Grammy
- Simon Rix (Geography and Mathematics 2000), Vijay Mistry (Chemistry 2000) – Kaiser Chiefs,winner, BRIT
- Jonathan Scratchley (Music Theatre 2006), Toby Davies (English 2007), Niall Lavelle (French 2008), Harry Devenish (Management and Psychology 2006) – Gentleman’s Dub Club
- Dan Smith (English 2007) – Singer, Bastille; BRIT award
- Tamaraebi (Law 2006) – Musician
- Testatment (English 2000) – Hip Hop DJ, Beatboxer, theatre maker, poet
Poetry
- Khadijah Ibrahiim (MA Theatre Studies 2001) – Poet; theatre maker
- Sarah Corbett (English and Sociology 1992) – Poet; novelist
- Ian Duhig (English and History of Art 1977) – Poet; winner National Poetry Competition
- Linda France (English and History 1979) – Poet; writer; editor
- John Glover (Philosophy and English 1965, MPhil Philosophy 1969) – Poet; editor
- Tony Harrison (Classics 1958, Hon DLitt 2004) – Poet, The Loiners; playwright; winner, Geoffrey Faber Memorial prize
- Safiya Kinshasa (Cultural Studies 2012) – Poet, AKA Birdspeed; dancer
- Niyi Osundare (MA English 1974) – Poet; academic
- Sue Vickerman (Theology and Religious Studies 1985, MPhil 1990) – Poet; translator
- Jeffrey Wainwright (English 1967) – Poet; critic; translator
Radio
- Jane Arthy (English and Sociology 2000) – Vice President, Radio and Playlisting, Warner Records UK; Member, Women in Music Roll of Honour
- Michael Blades (Communications Studies 2010) – Evening presenter, Bauer Radio; podcaster
- Rev Richard Coles (MA Theology and Religious Studies 2005) – Presenter, BBC Radio; former musician, The Communards
- Sian Eleri (Broadcast Journalism 2017) – Presenter, BBC Radio 1 Chillest Show
- Tom Green (International Business 2015) – Presenter, HITS Radio
- Tim Lihoreau (Music 1986) – Presenter and Creative Director, Classic FM
- Rebecca Maxted (English 2004) – Producer, BBC Radio
- Christina Okello (English and France 2007) – Bilingual Multimedia Reporter, Radio France Internationale
- Adele Roberts (ND Pharmacology 2000) – Presenter, Radio 1 Weekend Breakfast
- Rosie Seed (Philosophy 1999) – Assistant Editor, BBC World at One, PM
- Denise Tan (English and Theatre 1997) – Executive Producer, Presenter, Mediacorp Radio
- Rami Tzabar (English and History of Art 1991) – Development Editor, BBC Audio Science
- Rich Williams (Politics and International Studies 2004) – Presenter, Virgin Radio
Retail
- David Boynton (Food Science 1985) – CEO, The Body Shop
- James Butterfield (Management 2011) – Chilly’s bottles
- Doreen Gizo (Biochemistry and Physiology 1982) – Bijoux Madame
- Jonathan Kaye (Political Studies 1999) – Founder, Prezzo
- Ryan Kohn (Cert HE Management and Philosophy 2005) – Co-founder, Propercorn
- Shradha Suri Marwah (MSc International Marketing Management 1999) – Managing Director, Subros
- Oke Maduewesi (Business 2010) – CEO, Zaron Cosmetics
- Peter Ruis (International History and Politics 1989) – CEO, Indigo Canada
- Martin Scicluna (Accounting 1973, Hon LLD 2008) – Chairman, J Sainsbury
- Jon Steers (Economics and Mathematics 1991) – Director, Corporate Development, Associated British Foods
- Chris Stephenson (Business 1991) – Managing Director, Size?
- Will Stratton-Morris (International History and Politics 1988) – CEO UK, Caffè Nero
Science
- Janet Bainbridge (Education 1975) – Head of Agricultural Technology, UK Trade and Investment
- Geoff Boxshall (Zoology 1971, PhD 1974) – Merit Zoologist, Natural History Museum
- Alice Bunn OBE (Metallurgy 1995) – President, UKspace; CEO, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- Paul Collier OBE FREng (Physics 1982) – Head of Member State Relations, CERN
- Ondrej Krivanek (Physics 1971) – President, Nion; leading developer of electron-optical instrumentalism
- Matthias Maurer (Erasmus, Materials Science 1993) – Astronaut, European Space Agency
- Nigel Smith (Physics 1985, PhD Physics and Astronomy 1991) – Director and CEO, TRIUMF particle accelerator
- Duncan Wingham Kt (Physics 1979) – Executive Chair, Natural Environment Research Council
Sport
- Alistair Brownlee MBE (Sport Science and Physiology 2009, LLD 2013) – Member, IOC Athletes’ Commission; Triathlete, two Olympic gold medals, two-time World champion, four-time European champion and Commonwealth champion
- Jonny Brownlee MBE (History 2012, LLD 2013) – Triathlete, Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals, Champion and silver medal in World championships, European and Commonwealth medals
- Claire Cashmore MBE (Linguistics and Phonetics 2011, Hon LLD 2013) – Swimmer, Paralympic gold, silver and bronze medals; Paratriathlete, Paralympic bronze medal, ITU World champion
- Kenton Cool (Earth Sciences 1994, Hon DLitt 2018) – Mountaineer
- Jodie Cunningham (Medical Sciences 2013) – Rugby league player, Woman of Steel, Rugby League World Cup
- Karen Darke MBE (Chemistry and Geological Science 1992, Hon LLD 2017) – Hand cyclist, paratriathlete, Paralympic gold and silver medals
- Alice Davidson-Richards (Human Physiology 2015) – Cricket player, Kent Cricket, England Women Cricket
- Mark England OBE (Economics 1981) – Team GB Chef de Mission, Olympics; Team England Chef de Mission, Commonwealth Games
- Tom Francis (Mechanical Engineering 2013) – Rugby Union player, Wales
- Saurav Ghosal (Economics and Management 2008) – Squash player, Commonwealth Games silver and bronze
- Johnny Grave (Geography and Management Studies 1998) – CEO, West Indies Cricket
- Nick Gubbins (Geography 2015) – Cricket player, Hampshire
- Robert Hicks (Law 2003) – Director of Operations and Legal, Rugby Football League; Rugby World Cup referee
- Natalie Metcalf (Linguistics and Phonetics 2014) – Netball player, Manchester Thunder, England; Commonwealth Games gold
- Alex Lozowski (Economics 2014) – Rugby Union player, Saracens
- Johnny Mowlem (Geography and Spanish 1988) – Racing Driver, Red River Sport; British and European Champion
- Kate O'Sullivan BEM (Mineral Engineering 1985) – Deputy Chair, British Rowing
- Andrew Shovlin (Mechanical Engineering 1995, PhD Mechanical Engineering 1999, Hon DSc 2017) – Trackside engineering director, Mercedes F1
- Elliot Thompson (MEng Electronic & Electrical Engineering 2015) – Decathlete
- Laura Sugar MBE (Sport and Exercise Science 2012) – Paracanoe athlete, Paralympics gold, World champion
- Josh Warrington (Dental Technology 2013) – Boxer, former IBF featherweight champion
Stage
- Michael Ahomka Lindsay (Medicine) – Actor, Newsies, Legally Blonde
- Laura Bangay (Music 2003) – Musical Director, Bedknobs and Broomsticks; musician
- Jack Barry (Chinese and International Relations 2011) – Comedian; actor
- Mike Bartlett (English and Theatre Studies 2002) – Screenwriter, Doctor Foster; playwright, Scandaltown, King Charles III, The 47th
- Verity Blyth (Performance and Cultural Industries 2014) – Actor, Syvia
- Tori Burgess (Theatre and Performance 2014) – Actor, Pride and Prejudice
- Nancy Carroll (Fine Art 1997) – Actor, Royal Shakespeare Company; Father Brown, Murder in Provence, television
- Jeremy Dyson (Philosophy 1989) – Screenwriter, producer, The League of Gentlemen; Ghost Stories
- Femi Elufowoju Jr (Dramatic Arts, Bretton Hall 1990) – Director, West End, Leeds, opera; Actor, Sex Education
- John Godber OBE (MA Theatre Studies 1979) – Playwright
- Philip Luswata-Kafuluma (Communications Studies 2005) – Director in Uganda
- Anuradha Kapur (MA Drama and Theatre 1982, PhD 1982) – Director; co-founder Vivadi
- Alistair McGowan (English 1986) – Impressionist; actor; pianist
- Wayne McGregor CBE (Choreography and Semiotics Bretton Hall 1991, Hon DLitt 2016) – Resident Choreographer, The Royal Ballet; choreographer Abba Voyage tour
- Zodwa Nyoni (MA Writing for Performance and Publication 2013) – Playwright, poet, The Darkest Part of the Night
- Katy Richardson (Music 2014) – Musical Director, Jersey Boys, RENT; UK musical supervisor, SIX
- Katy Rudd (Theatre and Performance 2009) – Director, Ocean at the End of the Lane, Three Kings
- Bart Sher (MA Theatre Studies 1987) – Resident Director, Lincoln Centre Theatre; winner, Tony Award
- Rodney Vubya (Classics 2013) – Actor, Frozen, Cinderella, Tina, Opera North
Technology
- Eugenia Balysheva (MA Communications Studies 2008) and Bruno Sanguinetti (PhD Physics 2009) – Founders, Dotphoton
- Adam Beaumont (Colour Chemistry 1993, PhD 1996) – CEO, aql
- Nick Edmunds (Pharmacology 1995) – Chief Technical Officer, Mission Therapeutics
- Anna Ekeledo (MSc International Marketing Management 2012) – Executive Director, AfriLabs
- Kyriakos Eleftheriou (MSc Electronic & Electrical Engineering 2016) – CEO and cofounder, Terra; Forbes 30 under 30 Europe
- Anthony Eskinazi (Mathematics 2005) – Founder and CEO, JustPark
- Ian Harris (MSc Computing 1996) – Founder and CEO, Search Laboratory
- Andrew Herbert OBE FREng (Computational Science 1975) – Chair, National Museum of Computing
- John Hughes (Computer Science 1989, PhD Computing 1994) – Visual special effects designer, Hollywood
- David Jefferies (Computer Science 1996) – Director of Technology, PaperSeven Games Design
- Paul Jones (Computing 1990) – Head of Technology, SAS UK and Ireland
- Olga Kubassova (PhD Computing 2008) – Founder and CEO, Image Analysis Group
- Alison Lowndes (Computing 2015) – Senior Scientist, Global AI, NVIDIA
- David Moss (Mathematics 1997), Alastair Bathgate (MBA 1997) – Cofounders, Advisors, Blue Prism
- Juan Flores Preciado (PhD Mechanical Engineering 2010) – Lead Materials and Process Engineer, SpaceX
- Stuart White (Computational Science and Management Studies 1992) – Studio Head, PlayStation London
- Kameel Yusuf (PhD Civil Engineering 1998) – General Manager, AI Applications, IBM
Television
- Peter Bowker (English and Philosophy 1981) – Writer, Ralph and Katie, The A Word; winner, winner, BAFTA
- Hugh Coles (Theatre and Performance 2014) – Actor, Atlanta; stage actor
- Sarah Collinson (English 2008) – Producer, director Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin; winner, BAFTA
- Neil Cross (English and Theology 1994, MA English 1995) – Creator, producer, writer, Luther, Mosquito Coast
- Natasia Demetriou (Acting 2006) – Actor, Ellie and Natasia, What We Do in the Shadows, Stath Lets Flats
- Jane Featherstone (German and History 1991, DLitt 2019) – Co-founder and CCO, Sister Pictures; producer, Chernobyl, Spooks, Giri/Haji; winner, Emmy, BAFTA
- Deborah Findlay (English 1969) – Actor, The Split; National Theatre; winner, Olivier Award
- Jack Fox (Theology and Religious Studies 2008) – Actor, Cheaters, Riviera, Sanditon
- Tim Glass (Broadcast Journalism 2001) – Senior Producer, Sky F1
- Holliday Grainger (English ND 2008) – Actor, Cormoran Strike/Capture
- Helen Lawal (Sports Science 2007) – Presenter, How to Lose Weight Well, Food Unwrapped; general practitioner
- Omar Madha (English 1990) – Director, Reacher, Doom Patrol
- Verity Marshall (English and Theatre Studies 2007) – Actor, Holby City, Press
- Peter Morgan CBE (History of Art 1985, Hon DLitt 2016) – Screenwriter, producer, The Crown; Oscar, Emmy nominee
- Kate Phillips (Theatre and Performance 2010) – Actor, Peaky Blinders, The English Game; film, Downton Abbey
- Ekow Quartey (Theatre and Performance 2011) – Actor, Becoming Elizabeth, This Way Up; Stage, Globe Theatre
- Laura Rollins (English 2007) – Actor, Doctors, Innocent
- Jenny Ryan (Law 2005) – Chaser, The Chase; singer
- Diederick Santer (Psychology 1991) – Executive, Britbox International
- Tom Watt-Smith (Geography 2001) – Creative Director, Specialist and Premium Factual, Lion Television
- Daniel Steiner (Broadcasting Studies 1996) – Actor, German television, Leipzig Homicide; Director
- Ben Winston (Broadcasting Studies 2004) – Director, producer, The Late Late Show with James Corden; producer, The Kardashians; winner, Emmys
Transport
- Clemence Cheng (Computational Science and Management Studies 1984) – Managing Director, Hutchison Ports Europe
- Martin Forbes (Business 1997) – CEO, Cox Automotive
- Aparna Garg (MA Transport Economics 1995) – Chief Financial Officer, Railway Wheel Factory, India
- Sir Peter Hendy CBE (Economics and Geography 1975, Hon DLitt 2015) – Chairman, Network Rail
- Alex Hynes (Economics 1998) – Managing Director, ScotRail
- Charlie Jardine (Design 2013) – Founder and Owner, EO Charging
- Sid Lal (MSc Mechanical Engineering 1997) – Managing Director, Eicher Motors
- Tony Mannix (Architectural Engineering 1984) – CEO, Clipper Logistics
- Rob Morton (MBA 1994) – Managing Director Route Services, Network Mail
- Stuart Rowley (Mining and Mineral Engineering 1988) – President, Ford of Europe
- Alex Smith (Geography 1995) – Managing Director, Volkswagen Group UK
- Shuhei Toyoda (PhD Tribology 1977) – Chairman, Toyota Boshoku Corporation