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Who studied here?

A prime minister, world leading scientists, bestselling writers, leaders in healthcare and Oscar-winning actors – 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
  • 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) – Curator, Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
  • Caroline Douglas (French and Spanish 1983) – Director, Contemporary Art Society
  • John Elderfield (Fine Art 1966, MPhil 1970, Hon DLitt 2006) – Chief Curator Emeritus of Painting and Sculpture, MOMA
  • Luke Farookhi (History of Art 2010) – Political Cartoonist, The Spectator
  • Jacky Fleming (Fine Art 1978) – Cartoonist; Illustrator
  • Sarah-Joy Ford (Fine Art 2015) – Textiles Artist
  • Thierry Ford (History of Fine and Decorative Arts 1993) – Paintings Conservator, National Museum of Art Norway
  • Paul Gray (Geography 1995) – Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer, The National Gallery
  • Helen Little (MA Art History 2004) – Curator: British Art, Tate Britain
  • Marcus Lyon (Political Studies 1987) – Photographer
  • Sara MacKillop (Fine Art 1996) – Artist
  • Rosalind McKever (History of Art 2005) – Curator, Paintings and Drawings, V&A; author
  • Elizabeth Price (PhD Fine Art 1999) – Video Artist; Turner Prize
  • Angela Summerfield (Fine Art 1983) – Artist; Art Historian
  • Linda Thompson (Fine Art and Cultural Studies 1991) – Sculptor
  • Syrago Tsiara (MA History of Art 1991) – Director, National Gallery, Athens
  • James Vaulkhard (History of Art 2008) – Fine Artist; Founder, The Kenya Artist Residency

Books

  • Rose Cartwright (English 2008) – Author, Pure, The Maps We Carry; Screenwriter; Co-Founder, Made of Millions
  • Louise Doughty (English 1984) – Novelist, A Bird in Winter; Screenwriter; Fellow, Royal Society of Literature
  • Tananarive Due (MA English 1988) – Novelist, African Immortals series; Podcaster; Academic; American Book Award
  • Matt Haig (MA English 1998) – Author, The Midnight Library
  • David Hessayon OBE (Botany 1950, Hon DSc 2008) – Author, Expert Guides for gardening
  • Anna Jacobs (General Studies 1962) – Prolific Novelist
  • Alison Joseph (French and Philosophy 1981) – Detective Novelist; Radio Dramatist
  • Alex North (Philosophy 1998) – Novelist, The Half Burnt House
  • Gervase Phinn (Education 1970) – Author; Educationalist
  • Helen Rappaport (Russian and Slavonic Studies 1970, Hon DLitt 2017) – Author; Historian
  • Hallie Rubenhold (History 1995, MPhil 1997) – Author, historical books; Broadcaster; Social Historian
  • Amy Sackville (English and Theatre Studies 2002) – Novelist; Fellow, Royal Society of Literature
  • Wole Soyinka (English 1957, Hon DLitt 1973) – Playwright; Poet; Essayist; Nobel prize for literature
  • Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o (ND English, Hon DLitt 2004) – Author; Academic

Charity and not-for-profits

  • Hamra Alam (Modern Arabic Studies 1998) – Director, World Women Wellbeing
  • Adanna Enwezor (MA Global Development 2011) – Founder, African Hair Summit
  • Alison Garnham (Philosophy and Psychology 1980) – Chief Executive, Child Poverty Action Group
  • Jeeja Ghosh (MA Disability Studies 2006) – Manager, EnAble India
  • Panut Hadisiswoyo (MA Communication Studies 2003) – Founding Director, Orangutan Information Centre, Indonesia; South East Asia Hub Director, Lush
  • Heba Hagrass (PhD Social Policy and Sociology 2010) – Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN Human Rights Council
  • 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
  • Matthew Layton (Law 1982) – Chair, Tender
  • 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
  • Sir Peter Wanless CBE (International History and Politics 1986) – Chief Executive, NSPCC
  • Emily Yates (MA Disability Studies 2015) – Co-Founder, Association of British Commuters, Writer

Digital media and podcasts

  • Michael Blades (Communications Studies 2010) – Podcaster, Conned
  • Zoe Blaskey (Economics 2004) – Podcaster, Motherkind; Transformational Coach; Author
  • Alicia Burrell (Politics and International Studies 2012) – Senior Podcast Producer, The Economist
  • Christina Capatides (JYA Communication Studies 2008) – Vice President, Social Media and Trending Content, CBS News
  • Rev Richard Coles (MA Theology and Religious Studies 2005) – Podcaster, The Rabbit Hole Detectives; Novelist; Former Communard
  • Rowan Collinson (History 2001) – Senior Audience Development Manager - Podcasts, Spotify
  • Andrew Harrison (Politics and International Studies 1990) – Group Editor, Podmasters; Presenter Bunker, Bigmouth, Oh God What Now?
  • Judith Holder (English 1976) – Podcaster, Older and Wider; Television Producer; Comedy Writer
  • Jamie Laing (Theatre and Performance 2011) – Podcaster, Private Parts; Television Personality
  • Alice Levine (English 2008) – Podcaster, British Scandal, My Dad Wrote a Porno – with James Cooper (History 2008), Jamie Morton (Communications Studies 2008) – 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, IMDb
  • Jay Rayner (Political Studies 1987) – Podcaster, Out to Lunch; Author; Restaurant Critic, The Observer
  • Emma Sheldon (Broadcast Journalism 2016) – Fitness and Fashion Influencer
  • Alex Solomou (Management 2013) – Founder, LADbible Group
  • Pandora Sykes (English Literature and Language 2009) – Podcaster, Doing it Right; Author; Journalist
  • Natalie Tewa (Civil Engineering 2016) – Social Media Influencer
  • Lydia Violeta (Business 2023) – Social Media Influencer

Fashion

  • Kevin Coatman (Design 2005) – Senior Creative Director - Brand Design, Nike 
  • Richard Donner (BComm 1961) – Chairman, Double TWO
  • Patrick Grant (Materials Science and Engineering 1994) – Designer, Sustainable Fashion Campaigner; Television Presenter, Great British Sewing Bee
  • Leon Gray (English 2008) – Founder, The 35 Consultancy
  • Lizzy Hadfield (History of Art 2015) – Fashion Influencer
  • Olivia von Halle (Textile and Fashion Management 2007) – Fashion Designer, Loungewear
  • Tatiana Hambro (English 2011) – Editorial Director, Moda Operandi
  • Georgiana Huddart (Fine Art and Cultural Studies 2009) – Co-founder and Fashion Designer, Hunza G
  • Joel Jeffery (Geography and Sociology 2010) – CEO, Desmond and Dempsey
  • Daisy Knatchbull (Philosophy 2015) – CEO and Founder, The Deck
  • Tsz Yan (Joey) Kong (MBA 2014) – Managing Director, Ma Petite J Bespoke Jewellery Company; Founding Partner, Zentrium
  • Pierre Milchior (Textile Industries 1954) – President, Fashion chain Etam
  • Averyl Oates (Music 1984) – Fashion Brand Advisor
  • Susi Proudman (Textiles 1994) – Chief Product Officer, Allbirds; Founder, CEO, Williams Athletics Club
  • Rebecca Smith (Joint Honours Arts 2003) – Founder, Recline; CPG and Digital Brand Entrepreneur

Film

  • Brook Driver (Philosophy 2014) – Writer, Swede Caroline
  • Ilan Eshkeri (English and Music 1999) – Composer, Film, Long Day's Journey Into Night; Television, Annika; Games, Ghost of Tsushima
  • John Hughes (Computer Science 1989, PhD Computing 1994) – Visual Special Effects Artist, Pixar
  • Moin Hussain (Cinema and Photography 2013) – Director, Screenwriter, Sky Peals
  • Rolfe Kent (Psychology 1986) – Composer, North Star, Sideways; Television, Stonehouse 
  • Danny Kirrane (Physics 2006) – Actor, Baby Reindeer; Television, The Serpent Queen
  • Emma Mackey (English 2016) – Actor, Emily, Barbie, Eiffel; Television, Sex Education; BAFTA
  • Rosy McEwen (History of Art 2015) – Actor, The Alienist; Stage Actor
  • Amelia O'Loughlin (Theatre and Performance 2015) – Screenwriter; Director; Actor
  • Chris Pine (JYA English 2001) – Actor, Dungeons and Dragons, Star Trek, Don’t Worry Darling; Director, Poolman
  • James Reed (Zoology 2000) – Director, Chimp Empire, My Octopus Teacher; Academy award
  • Ben Roberts (English 1997) – CEO, British Film Institute
  • Mim Shaikh (Broadcast Journalism 2012) – Actor, What’s Love Got to Do with It; Television, Queenie
     

Finance

  • Fatima Ademoh (MSc Financial Risk Management 2013) – Private Sector Investment Manager, OPEC
  • Karen Ashworth (Medical Sciences 1997) – Chief Financial Officer, Waterstones
  • Amanda Blanc DBE (MBA 1999) – Group CEO, Aviva; Member, National Wealth Fund Taskforce; Ambassador, Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)
  • Fiona Cannon OBE (English 1985) – Group Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Lloyds Banking Group
  • Stephen Daintith (Economics and Accounting 1985) – Chief Financial Officer, Excecutive Director, Ocado
  • Joanna Goff (Accounting & Finance 2000) – Chief Financial Officer, Morrisons
  • Darren Forshaw (Management Studies and Mathematics 1993) – Founder, Partner, Endless LLP
  • Hilmar Janusson (PhD Materials Science and Engineering 1995) – CEO, Iðunn Venture Capital
  • Sheikh Bilal Khan (Law 2004) – Partner, Global Head of Islamic Finance, McCarthy Denning
  • Rachel Lord (International History and Politics 1987) – Senior Managing Director, Head of International, BlackRock
  • Baroness Zahida Manzoor CBE (Healthcare 1983) – Chair, Financial Ombudsman Service
  • David Paterson (History 1994) – CFO, Primark
  • Jennifer Riria (MA Education 1979) – CEO, Kenya Women Holding Group
  • Mark Tucker KCB (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 United Kingdom
  • Caroline Alcock OBE (Arabic and French 1993) – British Deputy Ambassador, Panama City
  • Chinua Alleyne (MA Health Management, Planning and Policy 2013) – Mayor, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
  • Alison Blackburne (French and Russian 1987) – British Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan
  • Anucha Burapachaisri (Fuel and Energy 1989) – Government spokesman, Thailand
  • Sir Alan Campbell (PGCE Education 1979) – MP Tynemouth, Chief Whip
  • Daisy Cooper (Law 2002) – Deputy Leader, Liberal Democrats; MP St Albans
  • Oliver Coppard (Politics and Parliamentary Studies 2005) – Mayor, South Yorkshire
  • Bill Esterson (Mathematics and Philosophy 1990) – MP Sefton Central
  • Allison Gardner (PGCE Biology and Science 1998) – MP Stoke-on-Trent
  • Josephine Gauld (Italian and Philosophy 1996) – British High Commissioner, Sierra Leone; Permanent Representative to United Nations Environment Programme and UN Habitat
  • Nusrat Ghani (MA International Relations 1996) – MP Sussex Weald, Deputy Speaker, House of Commons
  • Angel Gurría (MA Economics 1974, Honorary LLD 2010) – Co-chair, International Observatory on Information and Democracy
  • Peter Hendy CBE (Economics and Geography 1975, Hon DLitt 2015) – Minister of State, Department for Transport
  • Stephen Hitchen (MA International Studies 1991, PhD 1996) – UK Ambassador to Iraq
  • Leigh Ingham (MA Politics 2015) – MP Stafford, Eccleshall
  • Stephen Karau (MPH Public Health 1987) – Kenyan Ambassador, Permanent Representative in Geneva
  • Simon Lightwood (Theatre Acting 2002, Bretton Hall) – MP Wakefield and Rothwell
  • Martin Longden OBE (History 1994, MA 1996, PhD 2000) – UK Ambassador to Libya
  • Alison Lowe OBE (History 1990, MA Medieval Studies 1993, Hon DLitt 2022) – Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, West Yorkshire
  • Andy MacNae (Environmental Pollution Control 1994) – MP Rossendale and Darwen
  • Isaac Maigua Mwaura (MA Social and Public Policy 2012) – Government Spokesperson, Kenya
  • Tareque Muhammad (MA Politics & International Studies 2002) – Counsel General of Bangladesh, Los Angeles
  • Mohamed Muizzu (PhD Civil Engineering 2009) – President, The Maldives
  • Jess Phillips (Economic & Social History & Social Policy 2003) – MP Birmingham Yardley, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
  • Baroness Usha Prashar CBE (Political Studies 1970, Hon LLD 2004) – Crossbench Member, House of Lords
  • Mark Sewards (Law 2011) – MP Leeds South West and Morley
  • Alex Sobel (Information Systems 1997) – MP Leeds Central and Headingley
  • Patrick Spencer (Political Science and Government 2010) – MP Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
  • Keir Starmer KCB (Law 1985, Hon LLD 2012) – UK Prime Minister; Leader of Labour Party
  • Jon Trickett (MA Political Sociology 1974) – MP Normanton and Hemsworth
  • Jashim Uddin (MA International Studies 1997) – Bangladash Ambassador to China

Health

  • Justin Ash (Politics and International Studies 1987) – CEO, Spire Healthcare
  • Dominic Behan (Biochemistry 1986) – CEO, Sentia Medical Sciences
  • Tina Bonakdar (PhD Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering 2016) – Senior Scientist, Pfizer
  • Jim Campbell (MPH 2008) – Director, Health Workforce Department, World Health Organization
  • Stella Chungong (MPH 2005) – Director, Health Security Department, Emergency Programme, World Health Organization 
  • Steve Cumley (Radiography 1999) – Chief Operating Officer, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
  • Clive Dix (Pharmacology 1976, PhD 1982) – CEO, C4X Discovery; Former Chair, UK Vaccines Taskforce
  • Nicholas Edmunds (Pharmacology 1995) – Chief Development Officer, Head of Pre-Clinical Development, CHARM Therapeutics
  • Mark Fielding (PhD Organic Synthetic Chemistry 2000) – Director CMC Regulatory Affairs, AstraZeneca
  • Josep Figueras (MA Public Health 1988) – Founder, Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies
  • Catherine Francois (French and Management Studies 1997) – Global Director Consulting and Technical Services, NSF International
  • Yvonne Greenstreet (Medicine 1985) – CEO, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
  • Bing Hou (PhD Biomedicine 2015) – Executive Director of Drug Discovery, Antengene
  • Hazel Jones (PhD Biochemistry 1999) – CEO Enhanc3D Genomics
  • Gillian Leng CBE (BSc Medicine 1982, MBChB 1987, MD 1994, DDSc 2022) – President, Royal Society of Medicine
  • Nicholas Lydon FRS (Biochemistry and Zoology 1978) – Developed Gleevec (Imatinib); Scientific founder, Blueprint Medicines; Founder, Granite Biopharma
  • 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
  • Georgios Skiniotis (Biochemistry 1999) – Director, Center of Excellence, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 
  • Janine Small (Chemistry 1985) – President, International Developed Markets, Pfizer
  • Mark Wigglesworth (PhD Biochemistry and Microbiology 2001) – CEO and Co-founder, Alderley Park Lighthouse Lab

Industry

  • Liz Barber (Geography 1987) – Chair, Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission
  • Rob Bradley (Civil Engineering 1981) – Owner, Innovative Construction Services
  • 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
  • Michèle Dix CBE (Civil Engineering 1976, PhD Transport Studies 1982) – Member, National Infrastructure Commission
  • Ollie Folayan MBE (PhD Fuel and Energy 2002) – Co-founder, Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers
  • Steve Foots (MBA 1994) – CEO, Croda International
  • David Freedman (Business 1995) – Chief Operating Officer, Beyer Blinder Belle
  • Mark Gibson (MSc Earth Sciences 1997) – Chief Geophysics Officer, Ivanhoe Electric
  • Mike Haigh (Civil Engineering 1981) – Chair, Infrastructure Industries Governors Group, World Economic Forum
  • John Hirst CBE (Economics 1973) – Chairman, BSI
  • Christina King (MBA 2005) – Chief Commercial Officer, Tribosonics
  • Bodo Linnhoff (PhD Chemical Engineering 1979) – Developed Pinch Analysis
  • Shradha Suri Marwah (MSc Marketing Management 1999) – Chief Managing Director, Subros Limited
  • Victoria Phillips (Biology and History and Philosophy of Science 2014) – Group Head of Airport Procurement Programmes, International Airlines Group
  • Rachel Skinner CBE (MSc Transport Planning and Engineering 2001, Hon LLD 2022) – Executive Director, ESG and Government Relations, WSP

Journalism

  • Kunle Barker (MA Human Resource Management 1996) – Broadcaster; Property Expert; Writer
  • Henry Gee (Genetics and Zoology 1984) – Senior Editor, Biology, Nature; Author, A Very Short History of Life on Earth; Palaeontologist; Royal Society Science Book prize
  • Charlotte Griffiths (Politics and International Studies 2007) – Editor-at-Large, Mail on Sunday
  • Charlotte Hardie (English 2000) – Editor-in-Chief, Retail Week
  • Simon Hattenstone (English 1984) – Feature Writer, The Guardian
  • 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
  • Richard Quest (Law 1983) – CNN Anchor, Corresspondent, Host, Quest Means Business; CNN Business Editor-at-Large
  • Anita Rani (Broadcasting 2000) – Presenter, BBC Woman’s Hour, Countryfile; Author; Producer
  • Steve Rosenberg (Russian 1991) – Russia Editor, Moscow Correspondent, BBC
  • Kim Rowell (Broadcast Journalism 2006) – Managing Editor, News, ITN ; Author, You are So Much More Than Your Job; 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
  • Fergus Walsh (English 1983) – Medical Editor, BBC
  • Anna Woolhouse (Music 2005) – Lead Boxing and Darts Presenter, Sky

Law

  • Martin Collinson (History 1987) – Company Secretary, Torque 
  • Darryl Cooke (Law 1993) – Founder, Executive Chairman, gunnercooke
  • Kate Eades (German and Management Studies 1999) – Partner, KPMG Law
  • Sooraya Gareeboo (Law 1998) – Assistant Solicitor General, Mauritius
  • Audrey Heng (Law 2005) – Principal Legal Counsel, JTC Singapore
  • Nancy Kelsall (History 1989) – Company Secretary, Footasylum plc
  • Susan Kirsch (Biochemistry 1986) – Partner, Carpmaels and Ransford
  • 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
  • Susan Sayers (Law 1982) – Regional General Counsel, HSBC
  • Terry Styant (Management and Philosophy 1990) – Associate General Counsel, Balfour Beatty
  • Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (Law 2010) – Partner, Tayo Oyetibo LP, Senior Advocate of Nigeria
  • Kadambari Verma (Law 2002) – Managing Director, Senior Counsel, Legal Division Goldman Sachs
  • Sarah Waterland (Law 1988) – Head of Legal, Holland & Barrett
  • 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 ND 1981), Nigel Hunter (English and History ND 1980) – Chumbawamba
  • Bill Bruford (Economics and Sociology ND 1968) – Drummer, Yes, King Crimson; Composer; Producer; Member, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Jasmine Chen (Music 2004) – Jazz Singer
  • Andy Corrigan (Fine Art 1979), Kevin Lycett (Fine Art 1978), Tom Greenhalgh (Fine Art 1981), Jon Langford (Fine Art 1981) – The Mekons
  • David Gedge (Mathematics 1981) – Songwriter, Lead Singer, Guitarist, The Wedding Present
  • Helen Greenaway (Music 1981) – Mezzo, Welsh National Opera
  • Jamie Hartman (English and Philsophy 1992) – Songwriter, Human for Rag'n'Bone Man; Music Producer; BRIT, Ivor Novello awards
  • Chris Haskett (Philosophy 1984) – Guitarist, Formerly Rollins Band; Producer; Composer
  • Lina Jonsson (MPhys 2013) – Techno DJ aka SPFDJ
  • Barb Jungr (Botany 1975) – Jazz singer; Songwriter; Playwright
  • 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; BRIT, Grammy awards; Member, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  • Jamie Lambert (Spanish 2012) – Singer, Collabro, and solo; 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, Grammy award
  • Simon Rix (Geography and Mathematics 2000), Vijay Mistry (Chemistry 2000) – Kaiser Chiefs, BRIT award
  • Jonathan Scratchley (Music 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; Songwriter; Producer; BRIT award
  • Tamaraebi (Law 2006) – Musician
  • Testament (English 2000) – Hip Hop DJ, Beatboxer, theatre maker, poet

Poetry

  • Sarah Corbett (English and Sociology 1992) – Poet; Academic
  • Ian Duhig (English and History of Art 1977) – Poet; Winner National Poetry Competition; Fellow, Royal Society of Literature
  • 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; Geoffrey Faber Memorial prize
  • Khadijah Ibrahiim (MA Theatre Studies 2001) – Poet; Theatre Maker; Founder, Artistic Director, Leeds Young Authors
  • Safiya Kinshasa (Cultural Studies 2012) – Poet, AKA Birdspeed; Dancer
  • Susan Kiguli (PhD English 2004) – Poet; Academic
  • Madeleine Lee (Economics 1984) – Poet; Investment Fund Manager
  • Niyi Osundare (MA English 1974) – Poet; Dramatist; Academic; Linguist
  • Sue Vickerman (Theology and Religious Studies 1985, MPhil 1990) – Poet; Translator
  • Jeffrey Wainwright (English 1967) – Poet; Critic; Translator

Radio

  • Elizabeth Alker (Communications Studies 2003, MA English 2007) – Presenter, BBC Radio 3
  • 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) – Presenter, Juice Radio; Head of Production, What Goes On Media
  • Sian Eleri (Broadcast Journalism 2017) – Presenter, BBC Radio 3, Selector Radio
  • Tom Green (International Business 2015) – Presenter, HITS Radio
  • Rebecca Maxted (English 2004) – Producer, BBC Radio
  • Christina Okello (English and France 2007) – Multimedia Reporter, Radio France Internationale
  • Rosie Seed (Philosophy 1999) – Assistant Editor, BBC World at One, PM
  • Denise Tan (English and Theatre 1997) – Executive Producer, Presenter, Mediacorp Radio
  • Louis Timpany (Business 2015) – Founder and CEO, Fix Radio
  • Rami Tzabar (English and History of Art 1991) – Head of Audio, Telltale Media
  • Rich Williams (Politics and International Studies 2004) – Presenter, Virgin Radio; Podcast Host

Retail

  • James Butterfield (Management 2011) – Co-founder, Chilly’s bottles
  • Robin Clough (Biological Sciences 2012) – CEO, Tequila Enemigo
  • Jamie Crummie (Law 2014) – Co-Founder and Director, Too Good to Go
  • Lucia Dailey (Communications 2007) – Founder, Seren London
  • James Elliot (Popular and World Musics 2008) – Co-Founder, Pizza Pilgrims
  • Doreen Gizo (Biochemistry and Physiology 1982) – Bijoux Madame
  • Amy Hogarth (Geography 2009) – Founder, Director, The CAHM Collective
  • Jonathan Kaye (Political Studies 1999) – Founder, Prezzo
  • Ryan Kohn (Cert HE Management and Philosophy 2005) – Co-founder, Propercorn
  • Oke Maduewesi (Business 2010) – CEO, Zaron Cosmetics
  • Liz Mouat (Textile Management 1995) – Head of Buying, Home & Beauty, Next
  • Toby Pickard (Environment 2004) – Retail Futures Senior Partner, Institute of Grocery Distribution
  • Daniel Ritsema (Biological Sciences 2012) – Co-Founder, Cranes Cider
  • Peter Ruis (History 1989) – Executive Director, John Lewis Partnership
  • 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) – Director, MALLET London; Chief Commercial Officer, ZXY International
  • Will Stratton-Morris (International History and Politics 1988) – CEO UK, Caffè Nero
  • Joanna West (Textiles 1996, PhD Textiles 2000) – Product Developer, Umbro

Science

  • Michelle Bentham (Earth Sciences 1998) – Chief Scientist, Decarbonisation and Resource Management, British Geological Survey
  • Richard Birley (MSc, PhD Bioenergy 2020) – Group Manager, Advanced Materials, Materials Processing Institute
  • Geoff Boxshall (Zoology 1971, PhD 1974) – Merit Researcher, Natural History Museum
  • Alice Bunn OBE (Metallurgy 1995) – CEO, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Janet Hughes (English and Psychology 1997) – Programme Director, Future Farming and Countryside Programme, DEFRA
  • 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) – Executive Director, CEO, TRIUMF Particle Accelerator
  • Simon Vosper (Mathematics 1991, PhD 1991) – Science Director, Met Office

Sport

  • Alistair Brownlee MBE (Sport Science and Physiology 2009, Hon LLD 2013) – Member, IOC Athletes’ Commission; Triathlete, two Olympic golds, two-time World champion, four-time European champion and Commonwealth champion
  • Jonny Brownlee MBE (History 2012, Hon 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; Paratriathlete, Paralympic bronze, ITU World champion
  • Cat Clements (MPhil Social Policy and Sociology 2017) – Head of Disability, Sport England
  • Kenton Cool (Earth Sciences 1994, Hon DLitt 2018) – Mountaineer
  • Jodie Cunningham (Medical Sciences 2013) – Rugby league player, Woman of Steel, Rugby League World Cup; Rugby League expert, Sky television
  • Karen Darke MBE (Chemistry and Geological Science 1992, Hon LLD 2017) – Hand cyclist, paratriathlete, Paralympic gold and silver
  • Alice Davidson-Richards (Human Physiology 2015) – Cricket player, Kent Cricket, England Women Cricket
  • Josh de Caires (Economics 2023) – Cricket player, Middlesex
  • Sam Dickinson (Sports Science and Physiology 2019) – Triathlete, Olympic bronze, Commonwealth gold
  • Tom Francis (Mechanical Engineering 2013) – Rugby Union player, Wales
  • Nick Gubbins (Geography 2015) – Cricket player, Hampshire
  • Robert Hicks (Law 2003) – Director of Operations and Legal, Rugby Football League; Rugby World Cup referee
  • Zafar Iqbal (Medical Sciences 1996) – Head of Sports Medicine, Crystal Palace FC
  • Alex Lozowski (Economics 2014) – Rugby Union player, Saracens
  • Natalie Metcalf (Linguistics and Phonetics 2014) – Netball player, Manchester Thunder, England; Commonwealth Games gold
  • 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
  • Laura Sugar MBE (Sport and Exercise Science 2012) – Paracanoe athlete, Paralympics gold, World champion
  • Elliot Thompson (MEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering 2015) – Decathlete

Stage

  • Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (ND Medicine) – Actor, Cabaret, Newsies, Legally Blonde
  • Laura Bangay (Music 2003) – Musical Director, Starlight Express, The Little Big Things; Musician
  • Jack Barry (Chinese and International Relations 2011) – Comedian; Actor
  • Mike Bartlett (English and Theatre Studies 2002) – Playwright, Scandaltown, King Charles III; Stage Adapter, Chariots of Fire; Screenwriter, Doctor Foster
  • Verity Blyth (Performance and Cultural Industries 2014) – Actor
  • Tori Burgess (Theatre and Performance 2014) – Actor
  • Nancy Carroll (Fine Art 1997) – Actor, Royal Shakespeare Company; Television, Father Brown; Podcaster
  • Jeremy Dyson (Philosophy 1989) – Playwright, Ghost Stories; Screenwriter, Producer, The League of Gentlemen
  • Amy Gledhill (DipHE Theatre & Performance 2009) – Comedian
  • 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) – Choreographer, Woolf Works, Abba Voyage tour
  • Zodwa Nyoni (MA Writing for Performance and Publication 2013) – Playwright; Poet
  • Ekow Quartey (Theatre and Performance 2011) – Actor, Globe Theatre, Becoming Elizabeth; Film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  • Katy Richardson (Music 2014) – Musical Director, Bonnie and Clyde, Your Lie in April; UK Musical Supervisor, SIX
  • Katy Rudd (Theatre and Performance 2009) – Director, Nanny McPhee, Ocean at the End of the Lane
  • Bart Sher (MA Theatre Studies 1987) – Resident Director, Lincoln Centre Theatre; Tony Award
  • Rodney Vubya (Classics 2013) – Actor, Frozen, Cinderella

Technology

  • Eugenia Balysheva (MA Communications Studies 2008) and Bruno Sanguinetti (PhD Physics 2009) – Founders, Dotphoton
  • Adam Beaumont (Colour Chemistry 1993, PhD 1996) – CEO, aql
  • Andy Carvell (Computing 1999) – Founder, Phiture
  • Graham Curren (Electronic and Electrical Engineering 1986) – CEO, Sondrel
  • Anna Ekeledo (MSc International Marketing Management 2012) – Executive Director, AfriLabs
  • Nikos Drakos (Computer Studies 1986) – Research Vice-President, Gartner Group
  • Kyriakos Eleftheriou (MSc Electronic and Electrical Engineering 2016) – CEO, Co-founder, Terra; Forbes 30 under 30 Europe
  • Anthony Eskinazi (Mathematics 2005) – Founder, CEO, JustPark
  • Andrew Herbert OBE FREng (Computational Science 1975) – Chair, National Museum of Computing
  • Paul Jones (Computing 1990) – Senior Director of Customer Advisory - Northern Europe, SAS
  • Olga Kubassova (PhD Computing 2008) – President, Image Analysis Group
  • Alison Lowndes (Computing 2015) – Senior Scientist, Global AI, NVIDIA
  • David Moss (Mathematics 1997), Alastair Bathgate (MBA 1997) – Co-founders, Advisors, Blue Prism
  • Lan Nim (MSc Computing 2007) – Regional Migration Engineer (Rest of World), Sectra
  • Juan Flores Preciado (PhD Mechanical Engineering 2010) – Principal Engineer, Surface Engineering, SpaceX
  • Mandy Schiffrin (Linguistics and Computing 1993, MSc 1995, PhD Computing 2005) – Head of Product Management, Nalantis
  • Peter Semple (English and Philosophy 2003) – Interim CEO, Depop
  • Justin Washtell-Blaise (Environmental Biogeoscience 2006, MSc Computing 2007, PhD Computing 2012) – Principal AI Scientist, Ieso Digital Health
  • Kareem Yusuf (PhD Civil Engineering 1998) – Senior Vice President, Product Management and Growth, IBM

Television

  • Peter Bowker (English and Philosophy 1981) – Writer, World on Fire, The A Word; BAFTA
  • Liz Carr (Dip Disability Studies 1994) – Actor, Disability Rights Campaigner, Olivier award
  • Liz Clare (Classics 1994) – Multi-camera Director; BAFTA
  • Chris Clough (English 1974) – Producer, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, A Spy Among Friends; BAFTA
  • Hugh Coles (Theatre and Performance 2014) – Actor, Baby Reindeer; Television, Atlanta; Stage Actor
  • Sarah Collinson (English 2008) – Producer, Director Fearless: The Women Fighting Putin; BAFTA
  • Neil Cross (English and Theology 1994, MA English 1995) – Creator, Producer, Writer, Luther, Mosquito Coast
  • Kwadjo Dajan (Communications Studies 2000) – Producer, BAFTA winner
  • Natasia Demetriou (Acting 2006) – Actor, What We Do in the Shadows
  • Jane Featherstone (German and History 1991, DLitt 2019) – Co-founder, CCO, Sister Pictures; Producer, Gangs of London, Chernobyl, Spooks; Emmy, BAFTA
  • Deborah Findlay (English 1969) – Actor, The Years; Olivier award
  • Jack Fox (Theology and Religious Studies 2008) – Actor, Cheaters, Sanditon
  • Tim Glass (Broadcast Journalism 2001) – Broadcast and Content Director, Formula E
  • Fayez Kazak (MA Theatre Studies 1988) – Actor; Theatre director
  • Helen Lawal (Sports Science 2007) – Presenter, Food Unwrapped; Nutritionist
  • Omar Madha (English 1990) – Director, Reacher, Doom Patrol
  • Verity Marshall (English and Theatre Studies 2007) – Actor, Holby City, Me Before You
  • Peter Morgan CBE (History of Art 1985, Hon DLitt 2016) – Screenwriter, Producer, The Crown
  • Jacqui Oatley MBE (German 1996) – Sports broadcaster; Journalist; Ambassador, Women in Football
  • Kate Phillips (Theatre and Performance 2010) – Actor, Peaky Blinders, Miss Scarlet and the Duke
  • Adele Roberts (ND Pharmacology 2000) – Reality Television Personality; Presenter, BBC; Author
  • Jenny Ryan (Law 2005) – Chaser, The Chase; Singer
  • Diederick Santer (Psychology 1991) – Executive, Britbox International
  • Tom Watt-Smith (Geography 2001) – Creative Director, Formats and Special Projects, Nutopia
  • Daniel Steiner (Broadcasting Studies 1996) – Actor, German television; Director
  • Ben Winston (Broadcasting Studies 2004) – Producer, The Kardashians, Olympics ceremony; Emmy awards,

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
  • Will Griffiths (German 1989) – President, SEAT
  • Alex Hynes (Economics 1998) – Director General, Rail Services, Department of Transport
  • Charlie Jardine (Design 2013) – Founder, EO Charging
  • Sid Lal (MSc Mechanical Engineering 1997) – Managing Director, Eicher Motors
  • Tony Mannix (Architectural Engineering 1984) – Strategic Advisor - Retail Logistics, GXO Logistics
  • Rob Morton (MBA 1994) – Managing Director Route Services, Network Rail
  • 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