ALUMNI FESTIVAL 2023
Celebrating Our Graduates
We are proud to be celebrating 180 years of BCU with our first Alumni Festival, as we showcase inspirational graduates from all four of our faculties. After completing their studies at BCU, many of our alumni have become icons in their industries, broken down barriers and made a lasting impact on their local area.
Our exhibition and events celebrate their achievements and the work they have completed in their chosen industries since graduating from BCU, as well as reflecting on the many varied career journeys they have taken. Be inspired by the sheer talent, tenacity and success of our alumni community.
BCU alumni
We're proud to boast an alumni community of more than 100,000 graduates in 120 countries. But no matter where they are in the world, they are connected by their shared experience here in Birmingham, and will always be part of BCU.
Alumni exhibition
From 4 September 2023, you'll be able to visit this year's Alumni Exhibition, featuring over 25 of our outstanding graduates.
Taking place in BCU's Parkside Building, you'll be able to discover the work of our alumni, from the replica of Big Ben's clock dials thanks to Horology alumnus Keith Scobie-Youngs, the iconic Renault Twingo which was designed by alumnus Patrick le Quément, to the products made by our successful entrepreneurs, including stationery from Illustration alumna Morgan Grice, beautiful luxury home products from Emma J Shipley, and many more.
This is your chance to discover the fascinating stories of our alumni and their career journeys.
Exhibition highlights
Keith Scobie-Youngs
Keith's company, The Cumbria Clock Company, restored Big Ben. Check out the replica dials which were on the landmark clock whilst the original dials were being worked on by Keith's team.
Emma Shipley
From scarves and cushions to wallpaper and fine dining, Emma's brand designs and sells beautiful luxury products in bold colours and statement prints.
Shovon Wiggan
Meet Nyah, Hannah and Kendi, the three dolls in Shovon's Inspire-a-Doll collection, which aims to bring more representation to the toy industry.
Luke Perry
Industrial artist Luke is displaying four incredible pieces in the exhibition, including a working-scale maquette of his latest work 'Strength of the Hijab'.
Morgan Grice
Morgan's business 'Odd Orange' designs and sells fun and colourful prints, notebooks and greetings cards.
Patrick Le Quément
Automotive Designer Patrick spearheaded the designs of a range of iconic cars, including the Renault Twingo.
Industry icons
MARYAM WAHID
Maryam never thought her passion for photography could turn into a successful career but she's now producing award-winning photography.
Maryam's careerKeith Scobie-Youngs
Horology graduate Keith has restored some of the largest and most famous clocks in the world, including Big Ben.
Keith's careerEsther Abrami
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumna Esther is now signed to Sony, is a TikTok sensation and is transforming how people view, and listen to, classical music.
Esther's careerPATRICK LE QUÉMENT
In this CityTalk interview, Automotive designer Patrick le Quément discusses his successful career at Simca, Ford, Volkswagen Group and Renault.
Local heroes
Morgan Grice
Illustration alumna Morgan combined her love of bookbinding and illustration to start her own successful stationery business, Odd Orange.
Morgan's careerLuke Perry
Luke's 15-year art career has seen him create artwork that represents diverse communities.
Luke's careerClair Graham
Our Alumna of the Year, Clair, helps and inspires young people across Birmingham as part of her work at Birmingham Children's Trust.
Clair's careerCasey Bailey
Casey studied Education (MA) at BCU, and alongside his role as an Assistant Head Teacher, he is also the founder of Baileys Rap and Poetry, which led the way for him to become Birmingham Poet Laureate. Enjoy Casey's poem, Be Continuously United, which celebrates 180 years of BCU.
Barrier breakers
Mahdiyah Bandali
Paramedic Science graduate Mahdiyah is highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in paramedicine.
Mahdiyah's careerShona Brownlee MBE
The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumna is now a Team GB Paralympian.
Shona's careerChristine GZ
Christine is one of the best racing drivers in the world and a BCU Motorsport Technology graduate.
Christine's career