Headway 22

HEADWAYAlumni Magazine Issue 22

Summer 2

012

HOT STUFFDRAGON FIRES UP SOLENT STUDENTS

Enterprise

SPECIAL

HEADWAY | Summer 2011

elcome to the 22nd issue of HEADWAY, SouthamptonSolent University’s Alumni

magazine. This year’s publication is an enterprise

special and focuses on former studentsrunning their own businesses after leavingSolent University.

We’ve got top tips from those who haverecently started up or are sustaining theirbusiness, employing staff and looking to expand.

We’ve also got news and advice fromsome of our high-profile entrepreneurialsupporters – including Dragons’ Den’s TheoPaphitis, music industry mogul FeargalSharkey and festival high-flier Rob da Bank.

At Solent University, we’re renowned forthe support we give to our entrepreneurialstudents and graduates. We haveenthusiastic experts with a shed-load ofexperience in ‘going it alone’, including ourvery own Stephen Brown.

Meanwhile, no one could be betterplaced to give advice and training in social enterprise than Louise Drake, with our multi-award-winning Eco Ernie recycling project.

Our unique links with music and mediaindustries – offering our students andgraduates fantastic opportunities in areas ofbroadcast, event management and creativemedia – have been strengthened throughthe creation of live-project agencies andpartnership agreements.

In this edition you can read about someof the work we continue to do, ourdevelopments on campus and the range ofbusinesses our graduates are succeeding in.

We hope the graduation pictures – andthe words from our honoraries – serve toremind you of your days at Southampton

Solent University and the skills, knowledgeand experience that will continue to helpyou in your future career and enterprises.

The Alumni Association has been re-launched as Solent Graduate Network and we are continuing to send Solent Spark Discount Cards,entitling you tofantastic discounts around Southamptonand nationwide.

Our new Alumni Relations Intern, PR andCommunications graduate Martyna Stepien,has been looking after the Solent GraduateNetwork Facebook page, Twitter accountand a LinkedIn group, as well as developingthe alumni pages on the Solent website.

We’re excited about our graduates andproud of what you’re achieving, so please,stay in touch and spread the word.

Alumni Office

How to contact theAlumni Office

Art stoppers

Send your news, views, queries andcomments to:The Alumni OfficeSouthampton Solent UniversityEast Park TerraceSouthampton SO14 0YNUK

T: +44(0) 23 8031 9642F: +44(0) 23 8033 4161E: [email protected]/alumni

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/solentgraduatenetwork

Twitter: @solentunialumni

LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/f1TowM or searchfor Solent Graduate Network

Produced by: Southampton SolentUniversity Marketing and CommunicationsService.

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DEGREE SHOWSWELCOME HEADWAY – Southampton Solent University’s Alumni Magazine

A compelling overview of the

talent and dedication of the

University’s graduating Fine Art

students enjoyed a platform in a

prime location, thanks to Solent’s

new exhibition space.The students’ work was the result of

three years of experimentation, criticalscrutiny and self-reflection.

During their studies, the students movedto the University’s new School of Art andDesign studios in Southampton’s Below Bar.The studios were officially opened by SirPeter Blake, who famously illustrated TheBeatles’ Sgt Pepper album cover.

As the first cohort with professionalpractice as an integral part of their course,the Fine Art students held their second yearexhibition of portraiture and identitypolitics, Stuff and Nonsense, in a disusedshop in the city centre’s Bargate Mall.

Highlights of the degree show includeEllie Patterson’s conceptual film andphotography work, exploring the body usingmaterials such as raw meat set in unusualenvironments. She said: “Over three yearsstudying Fine Art I enjoyed using a lens tocreate or capture an idea and to probe andpry at my subject matter.”

Summer 2012 | HEADWAY | 1

Inside

16

this issue

1121

7

26

12

29

31 22

2 Vice-Chancellor’s welcome

3 University news A round up of what’s going on in and around the University

6 Enterprise special Meet some of our brilliant entrepreneurs

7 Theo means businessDragons’ Den star returns to Solent

13 Tattoo magic An illustrated lady

16 Graduationwith 2011 pull out

18 Faculty newsWhat are they up to?

20 Festival feverRob da Bank chats to Headway

30 Where are you now? Updates, weddings and other news

32 Events round-up/membership news

vidence shows that graduates generatean average of £180,000 more during theirlifetimes than students with A-levels

alone. Statistics like this highlight theimportance of higher education and thefinancial role graduates have to play in ensuringregional and national prosperity.

An increasing number of employers arerecognizing the immediate and tangiblebenefits of hiring graduates. There is also awider acknowledgement of the role of studententrepreneurs in innovation and business start-ups, which are crucial to economic growth and resilience.

Solent University graduates aredetermined, talented and highly motivatedindividuals, eager to succeed as they beginbuilding their careers. We know you haveintellectual and professional skills, honed bywork-related assessments and a cutting edge curriculum, which enhances any companyor business.

This year, we ran our Vision for 2020initiative for the second time. It was developedto strengthen links between SouthamptonSolent University and regional employers,promoting the importance of graduateretention in the local economy and helping our graduates to get on the first rung of thecareer ladder.

Employers responded brilliantly to ourcampaign to create new opportunities foruniversity leavers. In total, £14.8m of graduatejobs were advertised through Graduate JobsSouth – beating our campaign target of £10m,and exceeding the £11.9m of roles advertisedthe year before.

A recent study commissioned by SolentUniversity has identified a potential for jobsand growth in the creative industries sector,particularly those providing high value addedservices to small and medium sized companies.In this issue of Headway, you can see the work

being done by students, staff and graduatesthrough Solent Creatives and SolentProductions. The University is also keen to takea stake in digital local television. If based inSouthampton, it would form part of apromising business ‘ecosystem’, nurturinggrowth and a nascent ‘cultural economy’.

The main message for Solent graduates isthat opportunities exist for entrepreneurs,intelligent employees and skilled practitioners.The economy is challenging and changing andgraduates are ideally placed to make an impactas we move forward.

Professor Van J GoreVice-Chancellor

VICE-CHANCELLOR’S WELCOME HEADWAY – Southampton Solent University’s Alumni Magazine

E

Welcome backto Sport SolentSport Solent is committed to providing a qualityservice to students, while also supporting theneeds of Alumni, Solent University staff and thelocal community.

Find out more at www.solent.ac.uk/sport

/sportsolent

@SportSolent

Our facilities include:• Test Park Sports Ground – newest multi-million pound

development - featuring a world class '3G' multi-purpose all-

weather sports pitch

• Top class indoor sports facilities including Sports Centre St Mary's,

Warsash Fitness Centre and East Park Terrace Sports Hall

• The nationally renowned Southampton Solent University

Watersports Centre

• Award winning cricket and football venues


Recipients of Solent’s honorary

awards were as varied as they

were inspiring, coming from

areas ranging from education and

local government to media and

fashion. They shared positive

messages for Solent’s graduates.

Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust,Rear Admiral John Lippiett CB MBE (Doctorof Maritime Studies): "Solent graduates arewell equipped to go forward into promisingcareers, with the skills, qualities andconfidence to succeed."

Internationally renowned make-up artistand Creative Director of cutting edgecosmetic range, Illamasqua, Alex Box(Doctor of Design): “I would like to say tostudents, I was once where you are today. Toquote: ‘Fortune favours the brave’; believewith all your heart you will do what you weremade to do.”

Brad Roynan, former Chief Executive ofSouthampton City Council (Doctor ofBusiness): "Solent graduates are in an

enormously important position in relation tothe economy of Southampton and the rest ofthe UK. The future lies in graduate skills."

Managing Director of P&O Cruises, CarolMarlow (Doctor of Business): “Universityeducation gives a breadth of activities andinformation that is useful every day inbusiness. If you have something differentfrom all the rest, you’re more likely to be successful."

Singer-songwriter and actor, DanniiMinogue (Doctor of Media): " I admire theway Solent University students mix theirstudies with practical training in theentertainment industry. After 33 years ofexperience, I’m still learning.”

Former principal of Totton College, MarkBramwell (Doctor of Education): “In thesedifficult times, education is more importantthan ever. Through working closely together,Totton College and Solent University createopportunities and break down barriers,ensuring people get a fair chance toexperience post 16 education. This isbeneficial to society, the economy and toindividuals.”

Musician, composer and conductor, MikeMoran (Doctor of Music): “Solent Universityhas a great policy of inviting those working inareas related to courses to come and talk to students about real life. It gives them an edge.”

Southampton Solent graduate StephenBolton, Group Controller of Diageo andformer Finance Director of Unilever(Doctor of Business): “It’s always best to gowith your passions.If you are passionateabout what you’re doing the other things willlook after themselves."

Richard Demarco CBE OBE, internationallyrenowned artist and promoter of thevisual arts and performing arts (Doctor ofArts): “Solent University has proved that itcares deeply that students should be creative.Art makes us human; it enables us to makecontact with our fellow human beings and tomake sense of the mysteries of life.”

Managing Director of NewsquestHampshire, Stewart Dunn (Doctor ofMedia): “Solent University graduates, armedwith degrees, as well as practical experienceand skills, are ideally placed for the rapidchanges occurring within the media industry.”

Honorary NEWS

Top Left:Alex Box

Bottom Left:

Richard Demarco

Centre: Dannii

Minogue,

C/wise from

bottom left: Brad

Roynan, Carol

Marlow, Mark

Bramwell, Stephen

Bolton, Mike Moran

and Stewart Dunn

The Honoraries

UNIVERSITY NEWS

4 | HEADWAY | Summer 2012

University takeson city sport

Inspectors rated the effectiveness of the provision overall, the quality of the provisionand outcomes for learners as ‘outstanding’ (Grade 1). Grade 1 was also awarded tothe two subject areas of Maritime Studies and Sport.

The report said: “The quality of the provision is very strong, with expert tutors,excellent support for students and exemplary links with relevant employers andregulatory bodies.”

It recognised that “the development of students’ economic and social well-beingis exemplary”, and that “staff at all levels share an unwavering focus on ensuring thatstudents achieve their goals”.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jane Longmore said: “This tremendous resultdemonstrates how closely our FE provision is aligned with the strategic intentions ofthe University.”

Warsash and water sports‘outstanding’The University’s further education provision at Warsash

Maritime Academy and Sport Solent’s Watersports Centre

were rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

We aredelighted tobe leading thecity's SportsDevelopmentUnit.

”

“

‘Metacognitive Instruction, Confidence andPrediction Accuracy in Software Engineering’(MICaPASE) addresses the reasons behindsoftware cost prediction, through field studies,surveys and experiments.

The project – supported by a £91,000Engineering and Physical Sciences ResearchCouncil grant – should help senior softwareengineers understand and improvejudgement, decision-making and prediction

processes under uncertain conditions. Industrial collaborators Hewlett Packard

and Lloyds TSB have committed their timeand resources to the project, which shouldimprove tendering, cost–benefit analyses,project management and tracking within IT.

“With total UK state spending on ITestimated at more than £7.6 billion, thisproject is important and timely,” said Dr Mair.

“Making the right decisions in IT has an

impact on public sector spending, and recentcuts have highlighted the need for bettermanagement of government IT projects. Thisneed for improved project management is amajor feature of the Cabinet Office BusinessPlan 2011–2015.

“Tax payers and consumers will benefitfrom more cost-effective choices, with fewercancelled projects and wasted resources dueto ill-informed procurement processes.”

Dr Carolyn Mair, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, is leading a project investigating key IT business decisions.

Psychology project to aid IT industry

The University’s sport and recreationprovider has taken overSouthampton’s sport development onbehalf of the council – in the firstpartnership of its kind in the UK.

The 10-year partnership betweenSouthampton City Council and theUniversity – now the largest providerof coaching education in England –will ensure the continuation of city-wide sport and fitness initiatives, aswell as after-school sports, coachingand volunteering projects.

Many of Solent University’sstudents are qualified coaches and arealready experienced at working inschool and community settings aspart of their curriculum.

Phil Green, Director of SolentUniversity’s Sport Solent, said: “Weare delighted to be leading the city'sSports Development Unit.

“The provision of this service, inaddition to the recent acquisition ofthe schools partnership and theUniversity’s exciting new facilitydevelopments, will help us become asignificant force in shaping local sportat all levels.

“It will also support theUniversity’s emphasis onemployability, providing work-basedlearning opportunities for hundreds ofundergraduates, as well as researchopportunities across many of SolentUniversity’s subject disciplines.”

UNIVERSITY NEWS


Mike’s dubstep remix of The TingTings’ hit song, Hang It Up, wasjudged the best in a competition runby Sony Music Entertainment.Using his alias, Inertia, Mike – more usedto the underground drum ‘n’ bass scene– produced the track to prove to his

friend he could change his mixing style. “It’s sweet to know that someone

out there likes my stuff,” he said. Mike’s track is featured on three

different formats of the new album –the deluxe CD, the exclusive Play.comCD and the iTunes version.

Solent University has joined forces with Southampton’skey education providers to raise aspirations andemployability through a ‘Junior University’.

The project – backed by the University of Southampton,the city’s colleges and secondary schools, the Southampton14–19 Consortium, the city council and local employers –targets Southampton’s Year 10 pupils.

More than 80 current university students are acting asrole models for the Year 10s, who get a taste of universitylife through workshops, lectures and other events.

The project – which has just taken on its first cohort of240 nominated pupils – also includes mentors from thelocal business community

Dr Stephen Lake, Solent University’s Head of Access andPartnerships, said: “This collaborative project will helpschool pupils realise their full potential. It is part of a widereffort to promote excellence at all levels of educationprovision in Southampton.”

Junior Uni

War heroesbrought to life

Winning sounds

The School of Technology in theMaritime and Technology Faculty is topartner the University of the Aegean forthe peer-reviewed 2012 InternationalConference on InformationCommunication Technologies inEducation.The conference, to be held in July inRhodes, has been running for 12 years. Itaddresses the challenges and directionspresented by technological innovationsin educational settings, providing aforum for intensive interdisciplinaryinteraction and debate. Dr Chris Barlow, Reader in the School of

Technology, will chair the conference,while administration will be undertakenby the Maritime and TechnologyFaculty's enterprise centre.Previously run by the University of theFraser Valley, Canada, the conferenceattracts delegates from more than 40countries and acts as a forum topromote research and scholarly activityin technology-led learning.Mark Udall, Head of the University’sSchool of Technology, said: “It’s a greatachievement for the School and theFaculty to take over the management ofthis prestigious conference.”

Solent University is to manage a world-leading conference

on ICT in education.

Solent to stage international ICTconference

The names of servicemen and women onSouthampton’s Cenotaph were brought to life throughan interactive website developed by Solent students.

Paul Marchbank, Head of the School of Media, and SteveHogg, Head of Learning Technologies, worked with BA(Hons) Media Culture and Production students on theproject, which was conceived by family historian, CeliaFraser.

The community project – part of the interactive webdesign option on the Level 2 Recording Realities unit –involved interactive flash movies illustrating the lives ofindividuals named on the cenotaph.

“Students used a broad range of skills – video,photography and radio – to bring the site to life,” said Steve.

The website was launched by Vice-Chancellor ProfessorVan Gore at the inaugural meeting of the SouthamptonCenotaph Family and Friends Group.

Mike Carroll, BA (Hons) Urban and Electronic Music

student, has had his remix featured on The Ting Tings’ new

album, Sounds From Nowheresville.

s Enterprise Manager with Solent’s Accelerating Enterprise team, he supports students through training, mentoringand financial help.

The scheme – run as part of the University’s Strategic Development– embeds entrepreneurial training and support within the curriculum,as well as running a range of short courses open to a variety of students.

“Enterprise opportunities should be available to everyone,” said Stephen.

“People benefit from hard advice, in areas like business plans,contracts, sales calls and protecting ideas, as well as the ‘softer’ stuff,like confidence-building. About 50% of viable businesses fail to takeoff simply because of the fear of failure. Someone may have a greatidea that could genuinely fly, but they never do anything about it.

“I’m fascinated by what drives people to start businesses. Whilepassion, determination and energy can determine success, effectivetraining and tailoring can reduce chances of failure.”

In his 12 years at the University – first through the CommunityEnterprise Office and then SPEED (Student Placements for

Entrepreneurs in Education) – Stephen has seen many student start-ups across the spectrum develop into viable businesses.

“I could write a book about the students I’ve supported. But successis something that should be judged on how far people have developed,not just on how much money their business is making at any onetime,” said Stephen.

“The entrepreneurial journey varies from person to person. Somepeople learn important lessons in their 20s, but others won’t really beready to start a business until their 40s.”

The University’s eclectic and imaginative cohort of students isreflected in the diverse businesses they set up, ranging from coffeeshops, fashion design and illustration to software, care homes andgraphic design.

“You don’t have to have the biggest or most glamorous idea to besuccessful. For instance, graduate Bereka Sintanyehu, who came to theUK from Ethiopia, set up a cleaning business and now employs threeSomalian women in the local area. It’s a small, effective, expandingenterprise,” said Stephen.

“We’ve had great results across the board. More than 40% of thestudents we support are still trading three years later – that’s a reallygood statistic and it’s great for the wealth of Southampton.

“Solent has real distinction in enterprise because of the dynamismof our students and staff – many of whom have experience of runningtheir own businesses. Today’s climate is ripe for entrepreneurs. Notonly do entrepreneurial students learn to be skilled in self-employment and running their own business – skills they can use atany time of their lives – but their enterprising acumen also makesthem more attractive to prospective employers.”


AcceleratingEnterpriseSolent Enterprise Manager Stephen Brown has helped more than 70 students turn their bright ideas into fully fledged businesses.

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

Entrepreneur Ieva Poriete, cutting a dash with her fashion business

A

“Get advice, do your homeworkand get on with it. You may have agreat idea that could genuinely fly,but if you’re too afraid to doanything about it, it’ll never happen.”

* Stephen’s top tip ...


tudents, staff and local business players filled the SolentLecture Theatre to hear the Solent Honorary Doctor impartnuggets of wisdom drawn from his personal experience in a

variety of successful ventures. Theo – best known for his role on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den – has an

empire that spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods. Helaunched his new lingerie company, Boux Avenue, via Twitter last year,moments before collecting his Honorary Doctorate of Business duringthe graduation ceremony at Southampton’s Guildhall.

Theo believes that entrepreneurs are most successful when theymix a passion for their product with a capacity to research the market.

“You need to do your homework, go that extra mile and make surethe cards are stacked in your favour.

“You don’t want to play on a level playing field. You want to be atan advantage. There will always be brighter, wealthier, betterconnected people out there, so make sure you have somethingunique.

“Once you’re up and running, cash flow is crucial. You don’t need tomake an immediate profit, but you can’t run out of money. And if youdon’t have passion for what you’re doing, you’ll fail. You need drive anddetermination to get yourself back on track if anything goes wrong.”

Theo – who moved to England from Cyprus in the 1960s – had a

bent for business even as a small child. Despite his dyslexia, he tookwhatever jobs he could and set up his own company aged just 23.

“As a kid, I had ants in my pants; I always found businessinteresting, intriguing and challenging – it gives you the ability tomake things happen and find your own reward.”

Theo was Chairman of Millwall FC for eight years, taking the clubout of administration and into the Championship; he also revived thefortunes of La Senza, Contessa Lingerie and Ryman.

It’s early days for new lingerie business, Boux Avenue, but Theo isconfident.

“We’re offering something that people really want – and that’s aunique shopping experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, it’s evident that Theo’s astute business decisions havebrought in the bucks.

Pulling into Solent University in his chromed-out Maybach 62s –considered to trump both the Bentley and the Rolls Royce – he said:“Everything I need is in my car. I don’t have an average day, I hatebeing in one place and I’m always on the move.”

Theo applauded Solent University for offering sound businessadvice, mentoring and support to students. “Desire, ambition and thewill to win, coupled with a relevant degree, relevant work experienceand practical support, will give students an edge,” he said.

Theo means BusinessLeading businessman and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis returned toSolent University to inspire entrepreneurs during a question andanswer session.

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

S

Feargal – who is a Visiting Fellow of theUniversity – talked to students from music,graphics, business, journalism and film abouthis varied experience in the music industry.

In the early 1990s, Feargal transferred tothe business side of the industry, initially asan artist and repertoire (A&R) manager atPolydor Records and then as ManagingDirector.

Later on he served as a member of theRadio Authority and in 2004 he wasappointed chair of the Live Music Forum,which campaigns on music industry issues.

In 2008 he was appointed Chief Executiveof British Music Rights (UK Music), an

organisation representing the interests ofBritain’s music industry, from composers,songwriters and musicians to promoters andmusic publishing companies.

Paul Rutter, programme group leader forPopular Music courses, said: “Hearing fromFeargal first-hand was a really goodexperience for our students.

“Feargal talked about his beginnings inThe Undertones, followed by life as asuccessful solo artist, and his continuingexperiences within the industry.

“He urged students to consider what theycould bring to the table, advising them thatbeing a professional in the music andentertainment industry today required arange of specialist skills, as well as ideas,distinctiveness and an innovative approach.

“It’s very much an entrepreneuriallandscape, a competitive industry. Studentsneed to know that it’s not an industry youcan just drop into – you have to bringsomething special and improve your skills inas many areas as you can,” said Feargal.

8 | HEADWAY | Winter 2010 8 | HEADWAY | Summer 2008

Former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey is singing from thesame song sheet as our graduates in todays fastest growing industry


TV and Video Production graduate JennyStrange has all the ingredients of asuccessful entrepreneur.

She is already landing plum roles in herfreelance career, with her latest involvingresearch for Channel 4’s 20-part daytimeseries, Baking Mad with Eric Lanlard.

The programme – produced by InfiniteMedia – has had her working with sponsorsto source ingredients, accumulating recipesand launching a casting process for 60amateur bakers.

For Jenny, life has barely stood still sinceshe graduated. Within the first year, she hadworked as a runner on One Born EveryMinute, 24 Hours in A&E and Put Your MoneyWhere Your Mouth Is.

She then went straight to researcher on aproperty makeover series, before landing herlatest job.

Studying at Solent gave Jenny goodgrounding. “My degree course gave me agood understanding of the editorial processand the roles of each member of the team. Ithelped to develop my creative skills andunderstand modern developments inbroadcast technology, such as tapelessworkflow,” she said.

Former Undertones singer

Feargal Sharkey gave students an

insight into the business end of

the music industry during a

recent visit to the University.

Sharkey’s got bite

Jenny Strange

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

The magic of MEDIA

“Make sure you are full ofideas and have as many skills aspossible when you enter themusic industry. It’s competitiveand fast-moving and you need to bring something special to the table.”

* Feargal’s top tip ...


Since striking out as a freelancer,

TV Production graduate Cameron

Wheels has had his eye on the

bigger picture.While working as a camera operator on

advertising films for high-profile companies,Cameron is building up his own productionbusiness in a bid to be at the top of his gamewithin three years.

Helping make online films for Ogilvy,TBWA, Golden Goose PR and McCannHealthcare Worldwide has provided a wealthof experience for entrepreneurial Cameron,who decided that going freelance would bethe fastest route to career success.

He said: “As a freelancer, I’m busy most ofthe time, getting much of my work throughword of mouth. It’s a great position to be injust a year after graduating.

“But it’s a transitional phase. Eventually, Iwant to have my own business, with an in-house editor and production facilities.”

Cameron honed his business skills andentrepreneurial approach during his degreeand gained valuable experience at SolentProductions.

“I learnt to write business plans, budget,pitch ideas and deal with clients, alongsideimproving my technical abilities as acameraman.

“On the production side, I benefitted fromthe experience and knowledge of my tutorsand gained the confidence to pitch for jobs,price my work and sell ideas. It’s all helped mein my freelance work and with my developingbusiness, On Grapevine.”

During his time at Solent Productions,Cameron worked at the Glastonbury Festival,produced a 30-minute drama and a series ofthree, 30-minute shows which were streamedlive online.

By his third year at Solent, he was runningshows, shooting, directing, producing,meeting clients and delivering wholepackages. He also produced a short piece ofwork at Channel 4, as an assistantcameraman on programmes such asDispatches.

Wheels turn for Cameron

Media graduate mixes it up

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

Chris established his media enterprise –Clearcut Productions – while still anundergraduate and received mentoringand support through the University’sstudent entrepreneurship scheme. Hewent on to study for an MA in Media at thesame time as expanding his business.

“I made some good contacts and decidedto set up my own business,” said Chris.

“The challenges of being a modernentrepreneur are mainly financial. Everyone’sfeeling the recession and it’s a tough climate.Running my own business is unpredictable. Inever know what I’m going to be working on next.”

Chris has produced photography andvideo work for a range of clients, includingSkandia, Southampton City Council andHampshire Constabulary.

“I’ve gone from filming for Glastonbury TVat the Glastonbury Festival to working on theBBC show, Real Rescues, and filming for theoutdoor adventure company Go Ape, whichincluded the Fourth Plinth at Trafalgar Squareand the Great Gorilla Run in London,” said Chris.

“It was a challenge to run a marathon andfilm at the same time; keeping up was tricky. Ihad to run the marathon myself. I wasawarded a competitors’ medal as I crossedthe finish line, camera in hand.”

Chris was part of the crew for two

documentaries for the Glastonbury Festivalthrough the University’s Solent Productions.He was a camera operator for festivalenvironment films, the John Peel stage and an interview with festival organiser, Michael Eavis.

“It was a challenging environment thatstood me in good stead. Just getting around inthe mud, carrying equipment was exhausting;I was worried about slipping up and droppingthe camera. But to have free reign out therewas brilliant, a fantastic experience.”

Chris has also filmed a mock public orderincident, done in-car filming with emergencycrews on blue lights and has had anincreasing number of his pictures published inthe Daily Mail.

“With the growing demand for high-quality video production, editing andphotographic services, I’m expanding intobroadcast and getting my own ideascommissioned,” said Chris.

From Glastonbury to gorillas, Media Culture and Production graduate

Chris Clements is ready for anything in his new business venture.

“Be flexible and varied. Try notto turn things down.”* Chris’s top tip ...

he converted milk float – used every summer to collectunwanted student ‘stuff’ – has won a string of awards fortransforming an annual community problem into a

sustainable solution, epitomising the new drive for socialentrepreneurial projects.

Louise Drake, Solent University Student and Graduate EnterpriseAdviser, is one of the project’s founders. She was awarded anUnLtd/Higher Education Funding Council for England award for leadingthe Eco Ernie scheme.

“Disadvantaged people within the local community are nowengaged in the project and are keen to ensure its sustainability,” shesaid.

“Eco Ernie is innovative, fun and engaging – exactly what socialenterprise is all about; that’s why it’s so successful. The idea of socialenterprise has grown in popularity. It resonates with the desires oftoday’s entrepreneurial, civic-minded and globally aware young people.

“With the UK government’s £600 million Big Society investment,there is more and more funding being directed at social enterpriseprojects.”

Louise – named ‘Outstanding non-teaching staff socialentrepreneur’ at the national Dare to be Different Conference – waspraised for her passion and commitment by the Foundation for SocialEntrepreneurs and HEFCE.

“The award highlighted the success of Eco Ernie and the hard workof every person involved. I hope I can inspire other entrepreneurs togive their ideas a go, no matter how wild or crazy they seem. If youhave passion and dedication, you can achieve anything,” said Louise.

The Eco Ernie recycling initiative – underpinned by staff andstudent volunteers in partnership with the City Council, Baptist Church

and local charities – has generated significant funds for local goodcauses and made vast improvements in student–community relations.It famously gave the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance itsbiggest ever textile donation.

Louise – who is spreading the recycling message aroundSouthampton’s schools and businesses – is continuing to develop theinitiative, while teaching students skills in social enterprise, communityengagement, partnership working and volunteering.


ENTERPRISE SOLENT

Enterprising ErnieIts recycling scheme changed the face of a Southamptonneighbourhood, and now Solent University’s Eco Ernie is being heldup as a national model of social enterprise.

“If you have come up with asolution to a problem – nomatter how unusual it mightseem – explore it, work with it,give it a go. It’s amazing what canbe achieved. Keep yourenthusiasm and self belief andinvolve others.”

* Louise’s top tip ...

Disadvantagedpeople within the localcommunity are nowengaged in the projectand are keen to ensureits sustainability.

“

”

T

While KimberleyLangstone had an obviousflair for fashion, she wasalso able to keep thingsreal. It was a combinationthat kick-started asuccessful career as afreelance fashionphotographer.“Right from the start I had my heart set onstudying fashion photography rather than purephotography,” explained the BA (Hons) Fashion with Photography graduate.

“The one-to-one teaching at SolentUniversity helped me to make progress in an areaI was passionate about, while the unit briefs,relating to industry practices, gave me a goodunderstanding of what would be expected in thereal world.

“I felt that getting my name out would helpme to build up some recognition, so I set up awebsite showcasing my portfolio during my firstyear of study.

“It was hard work designing, setting up andpushing the website, but I had the best timedoing it. Every day I get emails from creatives andclients asking me to work on projects. It was alittle daunting, but I treated every challenge as alearning curve.”

Kimberley gained valuable work experience atThird Floor Publication, where she learnt theimportance of teamwork and trust in otherpeople’s ideas. Communicating with agencies anddesigners became second nature, giving heressential practice for her career.

“Once I’d graduated, going freelanceseemed like an obvious way to put my skillsto good use,” she said.

Kimberley’s skills involve a genre ofphotography that requires a realunderstanding of the human form, as well asa certain way of dealing with the humanpsyche.

“I've always been interested in creatingimages that portray somethingbeautiful. But people underestimatethe difficulty involved in producing a flattering image of the humanform. There are so many elementsthat come into play and the final

product reflects the tastes of thephotographer.“It's handy to know about different

lighting techniques, so you can tweak themaccordingly, but for the most part it's verymuch about being creative.”

For fashion photographers, the mostdifficult challenges can arise from dealingwith a multitude of clients expressingdiffering ideas.

“The hardest projects are those thatadhere to someone else’s strong ideas andconcepts. It's hard to create work that reflectsopposing views while remaining professional.Some clients are looking for something alittle ‘out there’, while others want somethingmore mainstream,” said Kimberley.

Kimberley is hoping to become ahousehold name in fashion photography.

“I'm still learning. Fashion photography isalways moving; you need to be prepared totweak the way you work in order to stayrelevant. You don’t want to be stale or stuck inyour ways,” she said.


Fashion photographer

has business flair

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

“Push yourself to be asprofessional as possible. It’s funworking with friends on projects,but if they’re not up to standard,you end up limiting yourself.Sometimes you need to beselfish in order to get where youwant to be.”

* Kimberley’s top tip ...


he former army officer opened Hampshire’s StockbridgeGallery after turning 50, in a bid to make a success of her‘twilight career’.

“I studied for my degree more than five years ago as a prelude to acareer change. Solent University gave me the grounding, contacts andconfidence I needed to open my own gallery,” she said.

Victoria decided she needed a specialism and ‘doing dogs’ tickedthe boxes. “It made sense to focus on a part of the art market which Iknew well.I’ve had many dogs over the past 35 years. I love theiruncompromising ability to make the best of every waking moment.”

Victoria opened the gallery in 2009 in a tough economicenvironment with discretionary spending at an all-time low; the nichesubject developed a strong following.

The gallery is now going strong and Victoria is constantly sourcingnew artists.

“Discovering new talent is an enormous pleasure, as is meeting andworking with well-established, great artists.

“I feel humbled that so many renowned artists have chosen toexhibit with us when we are such a ‘young’ gallery.”

Victoria’s latest exhibitions include Dog GB – A Celebration of OurBritish Dogs, featuring premier canine portraiture artist Claire Eastgateand animal sculptor Rosemary Cook.

“The works followed the great British tradition of dog portraiture,which began in the 18th century and went on to become hugely

popular in the 19th century, during the reign of Queen Victoria.”Victoria’s gallery attracts buyers of all typesfrom all over the world. “Dog lovers tend to commission paintings or sculptures of their

own dogs, while collectors buy pieces that they love, regardless of breed.

“Because our theme is narrow, we have to cater for all-comers –the collector of period work, the decorative art collector and the youngcity collector looking for stylised contemporary pieces,” said Victoria.

“Starting the business was hard work, , especially at the beginning,but the challenge of creating a thriving enterprise from nothing is veryrewarding. The freedom to try things, take risks and experiment is notnormally something you have the luxury of doing in paidemployment.”

Putting Fido in the frameSolent University alumnus Victoria Armstrong-Evans has always had apenchant for a pooch, so a gallery containing all things canine was aperfect business choice.

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

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“Believe you can do anything you setyour heart on. Set the bar high. Figure out where you want to go andjourney there step by step. Don’t be distracted by fear of failure.”

* Victoria’s top tip ...

he experience set the tone forDionne’s tattoo business – her ownstudio in Staffordshire, combining her

passion for art with a love of people. “I was immensely proud to be able to

tattoo my grandad; it was only the third tattooI’d ever done. We sat in his conservatorydrinking tea while I tattooed the front side ofhis lower arm from wrist to elbow. We wereboth pleased with the result,” said Dionne.

The experience was a prelude to Dionne’sbusiness, Addictive Passions.

“I’d always kept my ears and eyes peeledfor ideal premises, and when a friendsuggested the Halfpenny Green Vineyard inthe small town of Bobbington, I emailed myinterest on the off-chance. A shop becameavailable and I decided to take it. Starting thebusiness was a little scary, but hugely exciting.

“The building was an empty shell when Itook it on which meant I could do exactly

what I wanted with it, but it took a lot of hardwork and money to get it up to standard.”

Addictive Passions was the culmination ofDionne’s lifelong love of illustration, which wasnurtured during her time at Solent.

“My skills with ink developed alongside myIllustration degree. I started liking tattooswhen I was just 12 years old. But it was while Iwas at Solent University that I really honed myinterest. I held my first tattoo machine and Iwas addicted,” said Dionne.

“I realised that I was destined to work withskin in my own tattoo studio.”

As the proud owner of her own body art,Dionne has instant empathy with her clients.

“They’re choosing artwork that means somuch to them, they’re willing to wear it ontheir body for the rest of their lives. My tattoosall mean something to me, a memory, amoment in my life or a well-loved familymember.

“I try to capture and illustrate the storiesbehind the tattoos when I work on my clients.It’s not like drawing on paper. You have toconsider the tone, condition and age ofsomeone’s skin and the shape of their body.”

Dionne attracts a wide range of clients,including women and first-timers, drawn toher warm and welcoming studios andappointment-only system. With tattooingbecoming an increasingly popular art form, theclimate is ripe for business.

When BA (Hons) Illustration alumnus Dionne Clarke tattooed her 79-year-old grandfather, she said it was one of her greatest achievements.

Kicking up ink

I realised thatI was destined towork with skin inmy own tattoostudio..

”

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ENTERPRISE SOLENT

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“Make sure you really understandyour clients and you give them agood experience. If your businesscan grow by word-of-mouthyou’re going to do well.”

* Dionne’s top tip ...

ronman triathlete James set up iChallengeU to

provide inspiring, young, motivational speakers

for a variety of organisations. He was recently named as one of the UK’s most successful and

promising young entrepreneurs, beating thousands of contenders toreach the final five in the Entrepreneur Country and Google YoungMasters Awards’ ‘Most Employable Young Person’ category.

“It was surreal to be considered one of the top five most employablestudents in the UK,” said James. “My aim is to be a full-timeentrepreneur and businessman and if my plans work out, I’ll be well onthe way to achieving that.”

James set up iChallengeU – providing motivational speakers formentoring, guest talks and team-building – to specifically inspire andchallenge young audiences.

As well as speaking himself, James manages events and employsspeakers for a variety of clients, including prisons, schools and scout groups.

“Most of the speakers are still under 30 and have achieved in areasranging from adventure and athletics to business and politics. There areplenty of people under 30 who have achieved a lot; my business showsother young people that you don’t have to have years of wisdom to doamazing things,” said James.

The idea for iChallengeU was conceived while James was in thesecond year of his degree course and running the Solent SparksEntrepreneurs Club.

“We were getting a lot of great, young keynote speakers in whowere providing a refreshing change from the more mature andexperienced kind,” he said.

“I always wanted to be my own boss, because I like making my owndecisions. While at Solent, I’ve been able to realise my ambition, withthe help of mentoring and financial support through the SolentEntrepreneurs Programme.

“I have exciting new plans for iChallengeU which will help me evenfurther with the business.”


Top talkingJames Headspeath, a final-year BA (Hons) Marketing with AdvertisingManagement student, is flexing his entrepreneurial muscles with hissuccessful company, iChallengeU.

It was surreal to beconsidered one of the topfive most employablestudents in the UK.

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ENTERPRISE SOLENT

I


he Outdoor Adventure Sports Management

graduates run three strands of a business

specialising in scuba diving and rock climbing

holidays all over the world, as well as a rock

climbing wall in their home city.It was while organising trips for fellow students of the University’s

rock climbing and scuba diving clubs, and honing their sporting andmanagement skills, that Tim and James started Freedom Adventures.

In 2009, they took over the Southampton Climbing Wall, and ayear later they bought main rock climbing holiday competitor, Rock & Sun.

“Rock & Sun was a 10-year-old company that had good repeatcustomers behind it and brand awareness. It made sense for us to dothe scuba holidays through Freedom and the climbing through Rock & Sun,” said Tim.

Freedom now provides diving in Malta and Lanzarote, while Rock &Sun offers courses and holidays for rock climbing all over the world.

Through the Southampton Climbing Wall, Tim and James offercourses, consultancy and private hire for parties, doubling sales and profits.

As well employing full time staff in Southampton, the companyemploys freelancers all over the world, ranging from taxi drivers andhoteliers to climbing and diving instructors.

“Freedom started while we were in our final year at Solent. Werealised there were clubs across universities going on trips abroad andneeding someone to organise them from start to finish, at areasonable price and in a flexible way,” said James.

Despite many big tour companies being hit hard by slow economicgrowth, Tim and James have continued to grow their business and arelooking forward to expanding further.

They currently have a healthy clientele of individual climbers anddivers wanting to meet like-minded people and are hoping to extendtheir reach to the larger group market, including schools, the military,scouts and groups of friends.

“We’ve recently made some large group bookings from schoolswhich we feel will be the next big thing for Freedom Adventures. Theseare fantastic earners as we can drop the price down for large groups, aswe have the economy of scale, and still make a big margin. This meansthat the school gets a great deal and we have an extra 30-plus salesunder one booking,” explained Tim.

Whatever their business approach for the future, it’s Tim andJames’ unique formula that makes the punters come back for more.

“Our success is down to our passion and interest in the business,

our desire to grow and succeed, and the time we’ve put in,” said Tim.“Many companies see this time as the worst it can be, but predict

that in the next three years things will improve and more disposableincome will be spent.

“Our hands-on approach keeps the business personal to our clientsand works very well. We see a successful trip as one where ourcustomers are happy and want to tell their friends and come back.”

Adventure SportAn entrepreneurial spirit and a lust for travel has proved a winningcombination for Tim Miller and James Baker.

ENTERPRISE SOLENT

“Work out your start-up costsand have a contingency plan inplace should you need morefinance. Many new businessesare on the road to success, whenthey fail because of insufficientcash flow.”

* Tim ’s top tip ...

T

GRADUATION 2011Solent provides an educational experience that

fuses theory and practice, with industry partnerships.This enables our graduates to make an immediateand meaningful contribution to the world of work.Vice-Chancellor Professor Van Gore

“

”


Solent’s talented studentscontinue to share their skills,giving local businesses a real boost

Creativeproductions

he University media production centre, Solent Productions,is going from strength to strength, giving a first-classservice to its clients while underpinning the talents of

graduates and students through enviable experience in the field.Its broadcast and media professionals – alongside current students

‘learning the trade’ – work with the latest technology to cover liveevents, provide outside broadcasting and produce documentaries andcorporate videos.

Assignments are varied with recent jobs ranging from filming theDuke of Edinburgh at the University’s new Ship Handling Centre tovideos and podcasts for the NHS, documentaries for the GlastonburyFestival and live coverage of the University’s graduation ceremony.

Solent Productions offers HD/SD single and multi-cameracapability, tapeless workflow, design and graphics to get the best outof its broadcasts, but success is helped by clever thinking and an abilityto get stuck in.

Turnaround can be quick. Footage of the Duke of Edinburgh wasshot and edited on the same day to be used for the BBC evening news.It took under a fortnight – from conception through to filming andproduction – for Solent Productions to complete titles and graphicbeds for a series of Revolution cycling highlights programmes for ITV4.

Much of the work carried out by Solent Productions is of real valuefor social projects. They have been commissioned to produce videosfor the Seafarer Support website, as well as the NHS, including videos

for patients and junior doctors about enhanced recovery, educationalpodcasts for healthcare professionals and a training DVD forpharmacists.

Screen South/Creative England recently helped fund SolentProductions’ Associate Producer Craig Lees to deliver workshopstraining disabled film-makers in 3D.

He said: “Film-makers with disabilities got to learn a completelynew media practice in a growing area and then put their new skills intopractice by making a short film.”

Meanwhile, Solent Productions’ presence at the annualGlastonbury Festival continues. Dozens of eager students swell theteam which provides outside broadcast coverage of stages,documentaries and daily news videos for the festival’s website.

Ben Challis, Glastonbury Festivals TV Executive Producer, said: “Thestudents who undertake the live stage filming produce excellentquality footage and the short film crews and news gathering crews areexcellent at responding to briefs and meeting tight deadlines.

“Footage has been used by the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, as well asthe international news services Reuters and Associated Press – a real‘feather in the cap’ for the University.”

A documentary produced by two Solent University

graduates will be viewed by millions during the

London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The film, made by Jon Lovell-Knight and Stephen Salesse, was

picked for the screenings after winning Best Documentary (20–25category) at the Film Nation: Shorts Awards, part of the London 2012Cultural Olympiads.

Jon and Stephen produced the three-minute documentary whilethey were working as interns for the University’s in-house mediaagency, Solent Productions.

The Great Wight Attack follows the efforts of charity swimmersDave Savage and Martyn Kennaugh as they take to the seas around

the Isle of Wight to raise money and awareness for cancer. It recordstheir highs and lows as they tackle the busy waters before completinga 65-mile endurance run around the island.

“It was a challenging but rewarding project,” said Stephen.“We had to shoot with both a large shoulder-mount camera and an

underwater camera from a speed boat, while trying to record goodaudio of the guys as they battled through the waves.”

Tony Steyger, Academic Leader of the University’s Skillset MediaAcademy, said Jon and Stephen were typical of the type of ‘industry-ready’ graduates Solent was producing on its accreditedmedia courses.

Cultural Olympiad Director Ruth Mackenzie added: “We’re lookingforward to the films being shown in Olympic and Paralympic venues.”

T

Wight wins


Creative students are getting the right experience

for an enterprising future, through an innovative

agency that matches talent with need.Solent Creatives registers students skilled in more than 30

disciplines and matches them with organisations needing specialistsupport for projects ranging from website development and brochureproduction to event management and twitter-led branding.

It means students get the skills they need to be future freelancersor directors of small businesses, within areas ranging from marketingand public relations to design and advertising.

Typical projects – which are usually off site – start with a meetingbetween the student, Solent Creatives agency staff and theorganisation, to discuss a detailed brief and deadline.

Rates of pay are negotiated before briefings, with subsequentfreelance rates arranged directly between students and their contacts.

Organisations get unrivalled access to affordable services, whilestudents get valuable experience in pitching and retaining contracts

and a portfolio that proves they can work on their own initiative, ontime and on budget.

Suzanne Dixon, Head of the School of Writing and Communication,said: “It’s increasingly common for people to work in the media sectoron a self-employed, contract basis and we’re encouraging our studentsto be entrepreneurial to compete in the new environment.

“Solent Creatives gives students commercial exposure while alsobuilding strong, mutually beneficial links with the region’s businesses,giving them affordable access to valuable media expertise.”

The impact of higher education on the region’s economy was top of

the agenda when the Rt Hon. David Willetts MP, Minister for

Universities and Science, visited the University. Providing ‘real-world’ experience was highlighted as the minister toured Solent University’s

groundbreaking creative industries agency, business start-up pods and media productionfacilities.

The visit gave the University – which prides itself on strong regional business links – anopportunity to showcase its employability and enterprise initiative.

The minister met students being matched to external organisations through SolentCreatives – the University-wide initiative which provides value-added services for employers,while improving undergraduate employability.

He was also shown film clips produced by the University’s TV and Film Production studentswith regional media company Newsquest, and he talked to Warsash Maritime Academy cadetsabout their excellent job prospects.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Van Gore said: “We’ve developed a unique model for breakingdown the barriers between business and higher education. Our students really enjoyed theopportunity to talk to the minister about their experience and ambitions.”

A film made by Solent students about a bad-

tempered tot is helping the NHS to recruit

health visitors.Grumpy Baby forms part of a campaign to raise the profile of

health visiting as a key service for new parents and a rewarding careerfor healthcare professionals.

BA (Hons) Film students Greg Michael and Reese Howard producedthe film – inspired by Mitchell and Webb’s Peep Show – as part of aSolent Creatives project.

The film – which took three months to make – will help SouthCentral NHS to recruit more than 150 health visitors, or traineespecialist community public health nurses.

“It was fascinating working with a two-year-old. Sometimes it washard to get James to sit still and look in the right direction,” said Greg,who is planning to set up his own promotional film business.

Clare Messenger, Associate Director of South Central StrategicHealth Authority Children and Young People, said: “The students’innovative approach and fresh perspective produced a film which getspeople talking.”

Opportunity knocks for creatives

Willetts visits

Grumpy is great


Rob getsrealBestival creator Rob da Bank hasstrengthened his links with theUniversity after receiving aVisiting Fellowship.

he festival entrepreneur, DJ, record label owner, journalistand musician is the founder of two of the UK’s mostpopular festivals – Bestival and Camp Bestival.

Since 2010, when Rob was a guest speaker at the University’sannual music industry event, SMILE, he’s provided enviable workplacements and performance slots for Solent students, as well asgiving Solent bands and musicians airtime on his Radio 1 show.

The working relationship has been so successful that Rob recentlymade Solent University the sole academic partner of Bestival andCamp Bestival, meaning its students will continue to play a centralpart in the festival production.

“We’ve always been impressed with the work of Solent Universitystudents. Further collaboration is a natural fit and an excitingdevelopment for us,” said Rob.

“When I did my first SMILE, the students asked cracking questionsthat showed independent thought and that seemed to reflect theinnovative and exciting courses they were doing.”

Rob also instigated the creation of the Association of IndependentFestivals, which aims to promote the UK’s independently spiritedfestivals, encouraging efficient management and a better audienceexperience.

With that ethos in mind, he is working with Solent’s music team to create professional development units that will open up morecareer opportunities in music festivals throughout the UK, Europe andthe USA.

Dr Martin James, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music, said: “Rob daBank is a globally successful music entrepreneur who startedpromoting events as a student. He became a staff writer on Muzikfollowing a successful spell as a graduate intern, before going on tolaunch a record label, host a Radio 1 show and create one of the mostsuccessful music festival brands of recent times.

“He’s a true role model for Solent’s music and media students, andhis appointment as Visiting Fellow adds gravitas to Solent’s growingreputation as the leading university for music festivals.”

Rob, who hails from Warsash, held the first Bestival at Robin HillCountry Park on the Isle of Wight in 2004. It soon established itself asone of the most idiosyncratic and popular annual music gatherings,drawing crowds of 40,000 and being named the UK’s best medium-sized festival.

T

olent University continues to lead the way

in its involvement with Britain’s music and

arts festivals.The multi-million-pound festivals industry provides employment

opportunities in areas ranging from performance to soundengineering and broadcast. Solent University has an enviable trackrecord which it has strengthened even further for 2012.

Dr Martin James, Course Leader BA (Hons) Popular MusicJournalism and Solent University Festivals Coordinator, said: “We’ve

Rob now books a host of legendary musicians and breaks some ofthe industry’s most exciting new acts, but his musical background ismore traditional.

“My childhood was spent sailing and playing trombone in theWarsash brass band. We played in the church hall as the liners leftSouthampton,” he said.

When he moved to London, Rob mixed his love for music and DJingwith an unstoppable determination to make things happen. He starteda regular club night, Sunday Best, which grew into a record label beforeforming the basis of his festival business.

But although he enjoyed life in the capital, his commitment toHampshire guided his plans.

“It was really important to me to start up a festival close to whereI’d grown up. I love the Isle of Wight and I really wanted to start afestival there. It wasn’t easy. We had to do a lot to convince the localsthat we weren’t going to turn the island into some kind of rave hell,”explained Rob.

“We were up against the Isle of Wight Festival organisers, whodidn’t particularly like the idea of us being there at first. There werealso unique logistical issues to contend with – ferrying artists andcrowds on to the site.

“It’s been worth it though. We have a home on the Isle of Wight. Ilove the beaches and the peacefulness of it and I’m very involved incommunity and youth organisations.”

Managing a festival is a 365 days a year job, requiring nerves ofsteel, monumental commitment and an ability to manage the mostminute details.

“Festivals are not just about bands. You’re running a temporarysmall village. We had just 4,000 people at the first Bestival. I thoughtwe’d open the gates and have a cup of tea, but immediately therewere problems – ranging from running out of loo roll to a sinkingstage. We were flat out. After snatching ten minutes’ sleep in a spider-infested tee-pee, we were up again, worrying about the next lot of bands.

“The second Bestival felt better, but it took me four years before Ibegan to feel like I had control. It’s hedonism and high energy on sucha big scale. There are two police stations, mobile hospitals – it’s atemporary town of 50,000.”

Five years after starting Bestival, Rob identified a gap in the marketand started the family-friendly Camp Bestival.

“Festival goers were growing up and having kids. Camp Bestival wasfor parents who wanted a full festival experience with their children. Ithink we’ve achieved that and it’s very popular and different fromother festivals. For instance, there’s nowhere else where you’ll get acall out for bodyguards because Mr Tumble is being mobbed.”

developed some very exciting links with music festivals over recentyears, but our partnership with Bestival is the best yet. It allows us tosupport students who have real drive for future employment withinthe music festivals industry. They will have unrivalled opportunities tofocus their skills.”

During the 2011 Bestival, students worked in stage managementand production, sound and lighting, and artist liaison. They also filmedtwo stages for a live multi-camera feed which was projected onto thefestival’s LED screens. Popular Music Journalism students worked onBestival’s daily newspaper, The Bestival Bugle.

At Camp Bestival, University bands The Widowmaker and Fly,Frankie Fly! performed after being personally selected by Rob da Bank,and one student produced an animation that was shown on the mainscreens all weekend.

Popular Music Journalism student Carl Gwynne was a ProductionAssistant. He said: “The experience was really rewarding. It was full onand I was able to put a lot of transferable skills into practice. I wastreated like I was part of the team at every festival, so I had to learnthe ropes quickly. I see a career in music festival productionmanagement ahead of me.”

Music Promotion student Carly Rockett worked in artist liaison atCamp Bestival. She said: “Working at Camp Bestival was eye-openingand inspiring. I gained invaluable knowledge.”

Students also worked at Blissfields. Music Journalism studentscreated the programme and a documentary, while others worked inartist liaison, box office, stage crew and as backline technicians.

Three Popular Music and Production students ran the mobile stageat the award-winning Wilderness event and one Music Journalismstudent was the official journalist for the Sonisphere festival.

Paul Bliss, Head of Blissfields, said: “The Solent students wereindispensable. They were of good calibre and we would certainly liketo work alongside Solent again.”

SBonding with Bestival

Science fires up festivalPole-dancing robots and energy-saving ecology were part of aneclectic science show put on by Solent University lecturerAnthony Gallagher at Bestival.

The science tent, designed, coordinated and hosted by Anthony,made its appearance to critical acclaim. Anthony is now rolling out thetent – designed to promote science in a positive and engaging light –to more festivals and events across the UK.


22 | HEADWAY | Summer 2012 22 | HEADWAY | Summer 2012

Gigs, industry talks, challenges and a city-centre festival produced bystudents made SMILE 2012 the most successful yet.

he University’s fourth dedicated music industry festival sawstudents producing, promoting and performing live gigsacross Southampton.

The students were joined by some of the industry’s top players,who shared their knowledge and skills with those wanting to carve outa career in a sector that has become an increasingly important part ofthe UK’s economy.

A panel of industry experts cast their critical ears over the demos ofSolent producers and performers, while more than 100 students tookon a series of challenges – from recording an album to making amagazine in a day.

Third-year BA (Hons) Popular Music Journalism and BA (Hons)Music Promotion students took charge of media outputs and thepromotion of 15 gigs, including SMILE Fringe, Rock Paper Scissors andthe SMILE closing party, while second-year Music Promotion, studentspromoted a further 10 gigs.

The festival culminated in the free open-air gig, ‘SMILE in theSquare’, which drew more than 1,200 people to Southampton’sGuildhall. It was entirely produced and created by third year students.

Dr Martin James, SMILE founder and Music Journalism CourseLeader, said: “Industry experts love taking part in SMILE and ourstudents gain a huge insight.”

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While you’re astudent and onceyou’ve graduated, getas much experience asyou can. Always beopen to learning andstay interested inpeople, wherever theycome from.

“

”Zoe Ball

From top:

Zoe Ball chats with the audience.

Rob da Bank with Dr Martin James.

Alabama 3 have a jam session.


The namesTop 1970s and 80s music men, Producers, came to SMILE for a Q&Asession with students, before performing an intimate gig at theMillais Theatre.

The group – made up of Solent University Honorary Doctor, TrevorHorn, with Stephen Lipson, Lol Creme and Ash Soan – performedHorn’s Buggles hit ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ as part of their repertoire.

Trevor HornCBE – is one of Britain’s greatest record producers.Bands and solo artists he has worked with include ABC, Frankie Goes ToHollywood, Simple Minds, Pet Shop Boys, Boyzone, Rod Stewart andRobbie Williams. Performing with Buggles, he scored a worldwide hitwith ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’.

Stephen Lipson – 10cc and Godley & Creme – enjoyed a run of hits,as well as producing some of the most memorable videos of the 1980s,working with The Police, Duran Duran and Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Drummer Ash Soan – Squeeze – recently recorded with Adele and Cee Lo Green. He has played on 27 top 10 albums and seven number one singles.

Solent University Visiting Fellow Colin Lester gave a talk to students on his career as manager for artists including Arctic Monkeys and Craig David.

Bestival co-founder Rob da Bank, with Jim Mawdsley (Evolution,Newcastle) and Jo McKay (LarMac Live), gave an insight into successfulindependent festivals.

Rob da Bank received a Visiting Fellowship, after talking to studentsabout the industry.

James McMahon, editor of the UK’s loudest music weekly, Kerrang!, wasawarded a Visiting Fellowship.

James – who previously lectured at the University – accepted hisaward after hosting ‘an audience with’ leading Welsh punk rock band The Blackout.

The music journalist has been credited with putting some of thebiggest bands on the radar – including Maximo Park and Futureheads.

He said: “Coming back to Solent University for SMILE reminded mewhat a great place the University is and how proud I am to be involved.I’m very happy to support Solent University’s innovative endeavours toinvolve students in the cutting edge of the music industry.”

Radio DJ and TV presenterZoe Ball received a Visiting Fellowship,following an inspirational talk to students.

The first female to host the coveted BBC Radio 1 breakfast show, Zoehas enjoyed a glittering broadcast career, ranging from TV researcher andpresenter to talk show host.

Until recently, Zoe hosted a mid-morning show on BBC Radio 2 andthe BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing spin-off, It Takes Two.

She said: “Solent University would have been exactly the kind of place I would love to have come to. I’m looking forward to an ongoing relationship.”

Dubbed by many as the best live band in the UK, Country Acid HouseMusic fusion band Alabama 3 famously sung the theme tune to TheSopranos. After a lively and candid Q&A session, they performed anacoustic set for students.

The multi-purpose Test Park Sports Facility – part of theUniversity’s roll-out of sports development programmes across thecity – was officially opened by Southampton FC legend Matt Le Tissier.

It is the latest addition to the University’s dedicated sports facilitiesto complement the student learning experience and continuedcommitment to widening community participation.

Boasting a full size 3G multi-purpose all-weather sports pitch,Wessex League floodlit football stadium, two adult size grass pitchesand a changing room pavilion with teaching space, Test Park is proving

a hit with staff, students and the local community.It provides an enviable venue for the University’s Sport Solent

matches and training – including outdoor football and Americanfootball – and is also the home of the FA Charter Mark OakwoodFootball Club.

Test Park is a win–win for students and the community, with Solentstudents using it as a brilliant training ground for coachingqualifications, as they offer first-class training and supervision to localschoolchildren as part of their curriculum development.

Test Park has already hosted a variety of sporting events forstudents and the community, including Leisure Leagues’ six-a-side,Wessex League football and Solent Redhawks American footballfixtures, FA Tesco Skills kids programme, Mars-sponsored Just Playsessions and Elite Training Centre children’s football, bridging the gapbetween grass roots and academy football.

Sport Solent Director Phil Green said: “This amazing new facilitybenefits both students and the wider community of all ages. It offersunique opportunities to encourage participation and a commitment to sport.”


uperb sports facilities, perfect pitches and

champion changing rooms lie right in the heart

of Southampton, thanks to Solent University’s

brand new multi-million-pound sports

development.

£18 millioninvested in newfacilities.

Test Park’s a triumph

Highlights included: the purchase of a prime site for development to the side of the main University

campus; the opening of the Timsbury Lake Ship Handling Centre near Romsey; the new Wessex League-

standard football facilities at Test Park; and a new home for the School of Art and Design.

New facilities

This amazing new facilitybenefits both students and thewider community of all ages. Itoffers unique opportunities toencourage participation and acommitment to sport.

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S

The city-centre gallery – the first major addition toSouthampton’s emerging cultural quarter – is enjoying increasedfootfall through its prime position, encouraging shoppers andseasoned art lovers to engage in contemporary art throughnationally and internationally acclaimed exhibitors.

It coincides with the expansion of the University’s art courses andthe development of a new space for the Solent School of Art andDesign close to the city’s Bargate.

The new venue opened with ‘Nine Artists, Nine Narratives’, anexhibition of works from Professor Richard Demarco’s personalarchive, featuring renowned artists including Joseph Beuys, Paul Neagu and Ian Hamilton.

Octogenarian Demarco, CBE, OBE, was awarded an honoraryDoctor of Arts from the University. He said: “The University caresdeeply about creativity. Art makes us human; it enables us to makesense of the mysteries of life. The language of art gives hope for the future.”

Solent Showcase has also been earmarked as a centre forperformance art, including contemporary dance, poetry reading andacoustic sets. Its opening night performance, Miss Julie, directed byMarcell Ivanyi and performed by Budapest’s Yvette Bozsik DanceCompany, was a taste of things to come.

The Chancellor, Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West ofSpithead, said: “The University has the largest arts and creativeindustries faculties outside London. Solent Showcase is trulywonderful. It will open up art to more people.”

Gallery curator Les Buckingham added: “Our new gallery space willfacilitate more exhibitions and performances in the city centre andwill work in harmony with the city’s cultural quarter activities. It wasfabulous that the University was able to display works from ProfessorDemarco’s personal archive at the opening and that the Universityhonoured him with a doctorate for his commitment to the arts overmany years.”


Warsash Maritime Academy’s manned model Ship

Handling Centre was given a royal seal of approval

when the Duke of Edinburgh paid a visit.The University last played host to the Duke 15 years ago at its

former ship handling site in Marchwood. Impressed with the new £2.7million centre at Timsbury, near Romsey, the Duke of Edinburgh onceagain boarded ‘Challenger’ and navigated the lake, under the experttuition of Senior Lecturer Gordon Maxwell.

The Duke, who spent more than 20 years in the Royal Navy, waskeen to learn how the facilities emulate challenges in maritimenavigation, increase pilot skill levels and ultimately improve safety at sea.

He was especially interested in how the lake and its trainingfeatures were constructed and the type of training the centreprovides.

“With his Royal Navy background, the Duke had a particularinterest in the purpose of our training and its environmental benefitsthrough prevention of catastrophes like the Exxon Valdez oil tankerspill,” said Gordon.

Back on shore, the Duke watched delegates in the manned modelsundertake a range of ship-handling scenarios, before meeting staffand students and touring the classroom and workshop facilities.

Solent University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore, said: “TheUniversity was honoured that the Duke of Edinburgh visited our newworld-class ship-handling facility.”

The centre – one of only five in the world – was officially openedin June 2011 during a ceremony presided over by the University’sChancellor, Admiral The Right Honourable Lord West of Spithead.

It was the culmination of a year of construction involving thecreation of berths, basins and channels designed to replicate portscenarios, canal transits and berthing operations for officers andpilots practising complex maritime manoeuvres.

Opening up artThe University’s brand new gallery and exhibition

space opened with a stunning display of thought-

provoking art from one of the most celebrated

artists and cultural commentators of the last

few decades.

Royal visit for Ship Handling Centre

New facilities

Clockwise:: Former Saints get stuck in at

Test Park opening. Dance troop make

shapes at the new Showcase Gallery.

HRH Prince Philip takes a closer look at

manned models.


University helps citycommemorate TitanicIt’s a subject close to the heart of the people ofSouthampton and one which attracts worldwideinterest – so the challenge was on for Solent Universitystaff and students to organise and broadcast the Titaniccommemorations.

n an act of remembrance to mark the centenary of the ill-fatedliner’s departure from berth 44 at Southampton Docks,descendants of those who perished on the Titanic placed

wreaths and flowers in the water. Images of the ‘Titanic 100 Commemorative Event’ – organised by

Solent University with Associated British Ports – were beamed aroundthe world by ITV Meridian, working with the University, and the BBCNews Channel. A team of Solent University staff and studentsprovided the BBC with a live feed, and more than 20 minutes of theevent was broadcast uninterrupted.

The event recalled the ‘Titanic Story’, up to its sinking after hittingan iceberg on its maiden voyage to New York. A minute’s silence torespect those who perished was followed, at noon, by the ‘soundingoff’ of a recording of the Titanic’s whistle, exactly when the liner left itsmooring. A flotilla of vessels – led by the tug tender Calshot, which was

built in the same era to manoeuvre the world’s greatest ocean liners –re-enacted the ship’s departure.

ITV Meridian presenter Fred Dinenage, whose great uncle perishedin the tragedy, hosted the event. The Royal Marines AssociationConcert Band and the Southampton Choral Society played during theproceedings, which ended with prayers and the hymn ‘Nearer My Godto Thee’, which was said to have been played by the ship’s musicians asthe Titanic sank.

Wreaths were placed in the dock by the Lord-Lieutenant ofHampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, Solent University’s Chancellor, Admiralthe Lord West of Spithead, and other civic dignitaries andrepresentatives of maritime organisations. Everyone attending wasinvited to place roses in the sea as an act of personal tribute.

The sinking of the Titanic is imbedded in the psyche ofSouthampton, which has more Titanic memorials than anywhere else

I


It was a privilege to createsuch a very special occasion,knowing how much it meansto the people of our city andthe wider world.

“

”

in the world. The dockland city bore the brunt of the death toll, with549 – more than a third of the total – dying in the disaster.

Civic dignitaries, representatives of maritime organisations, andbusiness and community leaders were joined at Southampton’s OceanTerminal by more than 650 descendants of those who had been onboard for the ship’s ill-fated maiden voyage.

Solent staff and students ensured the smooth management of the event, providing professional media relations, live film footage and outside broadcast feeds. The University also published the official programme.

Trevor Thorne, Solent University’s Director of Marketing andCommunications and Titanic 100 event organiser, said: “It was aprivilege to create such a very special occasion, knowing how much itmeans to the people of our city and the wider world.”

Vanessa Beecham, from Southampton, paid tribute to her great

uncle Edward Biggs, a fireman who died aged 21. “I enjoyed theceremony, which was tasteful and moving,” she said.

Robin Britton, Head of News at ITV Meridian, said: “SolentUniversity staff and students gave us such valuable assistance. It was abig programme for ITV News, more than a year in the planning, and aspecial edition of Meridian Tonight that we knew would attract a verybig audience with high expectations.

“Ratings were the highest we’ve achieved this year, with anaudience of more than 400,000. We’ve had many emails and lettersfrom viewers and other professional colleagues, complimenting us onthe programme and telling us how they regarded the Titanic 100Commemoration as the most fitting event so far.

“The facilities and production crew which Solent Universityprovided for the outside broadcast were first class and undoubtedlyenhanced the core coverage we had put in place.”


My business traininghas been really usefulin the planning,budgeting andsponsorship skillsneeded in our sailing endeavours.

“

”


Paul Goodison, Solent alumnus and Honorary Doctor of Sport,won laser sailing gold in Beijing 2008 and is hoping for anothertop spot on the podium. Since Beijing, Paul has continued to shine in his sailing challenges and secured victory in the Melges32 Europeans.

He said: “Ever since Beijing I’ve been focusing on 2012, making sureI’m in the best possible shape. I’ve been doing a lot of ‘on the watersailing’ supplemented by four gym sessions a week, mainly on weights,and six to ten hours’ aerobic training through cycling.

“It’s a great honour to represent Team GB at the Olympics again and even more special with so many friends and family there to watch.”

As a former Solent student, Paul is especially pleased to see BA(Hons) Business Management student Kate Macgregor in the team. He said: “Kate is in good hands and I’m sure her team will be in a goodplace to deliver the right result.”

At just 20 years old, Kate is the youngest in the squad, joining AnnieLush and her older sister, Lucy, as part of the match racing team goingfor gold.

Kate and Lucy have already made history as the first sisters inBritish sailing to be picked for Team GB. It’s the culmination of anexciting campaign which saw the team win the match racing worlds in France.

“At one point we were ranked world number one, so a gold medal isa real possibility and we are working hard with that in mind,” said Kate.

Kate came to Solent University to study for a career in business andto take advantage of the University’s sailing reputation.

“I wanted to get into the business side of the sailing industry, but Ialso wanted to continue in my sport,” said Kate.

“I was part of the University sailing team that won the studentworld championships and I was invited to join the match racing team.My business training has been really useful in the planning, budgetingand sponsorship skills needed in our sailing endeavours.”

Match racing differs from other sailing events in that it consists oftwo boat ‘sprints’ over a two-lap course, with winners racing eachother until there is an overall victor. It requires quick thinking, tacticsand fitness as competitors use boat-handling skills, the winds andcurrents to gain control of the race.

“There’s nothing like winning an event on home waters. It would bemy dream to win a medal and make my family, friends and theUniversity proud,” said Kate.

Ben Ainslie, Solent University Honorary Doctor of Sport, is aninspiration to both Kate and Paul. Ben – who had the honour ofstarting the torch relay on British soil - will compete in the Finncategory, having returned to the event after two years away. He haswon gold at every Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 and is on courseto win a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

He said: “It was a big relief to have my place for 2012 confirmed.Competition was strong and I had to be at my very best in every race.I’ve been working hard to get my fitness to peak at the right time.”

Solent’s Olympic starsFormer student Paul Goodison, present student Kate Macgregor andHonorary Doctor Ben Ainslie are flying the flag for Solent University atthe 2012 Olympics.

C/wise from left: Kate sails ahead, Ben’s for Britain and high drama for Paul.


This is your chance to let everyone know where you’ve been and whatyou’ve been up to since graduating. To appear in the next issue, just fillin the Alumni Update Form, on our website at www.solent.ac.uk oremail your update to: [email protected]

1975David CradduckHND Graphic DesignDavid studied to be a graphic designer from1972 to 1975 at Southampton College of Art.His first (foundation) year was spent in theold shared Deanery School campus near thedocks, before moving into the new building inEast Park Terrace. He ran his own graphicsbusiness for 35 years and is now marketingSmartphone apps and providing design andmarketing consultancy services.

1990Jason Crocker

After graduating, Jason went into theaerospace industry, writing software for flightsimulators. He has been involved with IT eversince and is currently Chief Engineer forAbiquo – a ‘cloud’ software start-up inBarcelona. He is also Founder and Director ofStratospherix Ltd which produces softwarefor iPhone and iPad..

1994Sharon ScottLLB

While studying for her degree, Sharoncompleted work experience with IrwinMitchell Solicitors, Mundy Coutts WoodSolicitors, the Sheffield Magistrates Court andthe Probation Service.

After graduation, she held a number ofpositions, such as Legal Officer for AbbeyNational Shareholders Services, LegalAdministrator at Nabarro Nathanson andLegal Assistant for Young Criminal DefenceSolicitors, where she assisted with crime andimmigration work.

Sharon also carried out freelance

marketing and design work for The BodyShop and TopShop, before returning to thelegal industry. In 2010, Sharon trained to be acitizens advice volunteer, as well as ageneralist advisor. In 2011, she began self-employment as an independent distributorfor Utility Warehouse.

1995 Jacquelyn Ready BA (Hons) Fine Art ValuationBefore working fulltime, Jacquelyn was afacilitator for Fareham and Gosport MentalHealth Day Services, and whilst finishing herdissertation she volunteered at HampshireMuseums, as she was desperate to workthere. Jacquelyn now works for HampshireCounty Council Museums and Archive Serviceas a Conservator of Social History/CollectionsOfficer, and is also looking for some freelanceprojects.

1996Kieran DelaneyHND Graphic DesignAfter graduating, Kieran worked for a smallstart-up agency in Camden Town, London andcorporate giant, Texaco. He took two yearsoff to travel and work in Australia and afterhis return, he spent five years working for ahealthcare membership-based organisationin High Holborn.Three years ago, Kieran landed his dream jobas Art Director in a healthcare advertisingagency in Soho which, he says, has been hardgraft but hugely rewarding.

Rudy JurgBA (Hons) Maritime Leisure ManagementKeen to pursue a career in the leisure marineindustry, Rudy continued to work for OpalMarine after his graduation. An ambition for world travel took him sailing

around Australia and Indonesia, andafterwards he joined rigs manufacturerCarbospars in Hamble as Sales Manager.After four years, he joined an International12M racing boat to sail around the Solentand the Mediterranean, and managed a fewnew-build and refit projects. Rudy joined SP-High Modulus, the marinebusiness of Gurit in Newport, Isle of Wight, in2003 as a Sales Technician for Marine andArchitectural Structures and travelledextensively through the Middle East, SouthAmerica, South Africa and his home country,Holland.Rudy was closely involved with the 2007Americas Cup. He has also helped to diversifyand expand the business into architecturalcomposite structures and got involved withthe engineering and supply of materials forthe second highest building in the world, theMekkah Clock Tower in Saudi Arabia.

1998John AnagnostopoulosBSc (Hons) Shipping OperationsAfter his time at Solent University, Johnjoined the military, worked in Athens, Greece,and moved to Singapore in 2007. He is nowworking as Insurance and Claim Manager forTanker Pacific Managemnet (Singapore) Pte.

2004Luca CataluffiBA (Hons) Business ManagementAfter his graduation, Luca spent some time inthe Alps. In June 2006, he became aMarketing Executive for MarriottInternational and nearly three years later hejoined SIDA USA in Marketing andCommercial Development in Los Angeles. Heis now Sales and Marketing Manager at SPESS.c.p.a., and is about to get married.

ALUMNI WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

Sarah RajabaleeBA (Hons) JournalismAfter graduating, Sarah went back intoeducation in 2008 to study for an NCTJ inNewspaper Journalism. She is now working inpublic relations.

2005

Adam Lewis BSc (Hons) Merchant Ship OperationsAdam had various shore-based jobs beforejoining the International MaritimeEmployers’ Committee (IMEC) in 2010 as theOperations and Training Manager. He is nowresponsible for the management of a numberof maritime training initiatives, mostpredominately the IMEC cadet programme inthe Philippines. Currently they have around900 young Filipino men and women who areundergoing a four-year training programmeto become future ship navigators andengineers.

Martha CadleBA (Hons) Fine ArtSince graduating, Martha has worked invarious art-related areas but has mostrecently been appointed Short Course andSummer School in Arts Course Leader atOxford Brookes University.

Oana AnghelBA (Hons) Multimedia DesignOana moved to London in 2006 withaspirations to join the media industry as aneditor. Her first industry position was as arunner for a busy film post-production housein Soho. She spent the next four yearsbuilding up her knowledge and skills beforebecoming a fully integrated member of theGraphics team, creating title sequences forfilms and TV programmes.She is now Junior Producer for GreyWorks,the in-house post facility for ad agency Grey,handling their output, as well as othercreative projects.

2006Anisha VasaniBA (Hons) Journalism

While studying at Solent University,Anisha enjoyed work experience at the DailyMirror, Closer, Heat magazine, X Factor andBBC Watchdog.

For the past five years, she has beenworking at Asiana Wedding magazine andAsiana TV. At 23 years old, she was theyoungest editor ever appointed by Asiana TVand she is still in this role.

Lydia Anne ThompsonBA (Hons) Fashion Writing and CultureLydia was awarded Best Stylist for her finalmajor pathway in Photography and Stylingwhile studying at Solent. Since graduating in2006, she has worked as a fashion and beautywriter, as well as a stylist, for More!, Stylistand Look. She has styled shoots for RimmelCosmetics, Heat and OK! magazines and hasrecently styled fashion campaigns for Claire’sAccessories and Internacionale.

Simon TippleBA (Hons) Film, Television andPerformanceSimon works for Sega – Sports Interactive onthe ‘Football Manager’ games and helpscoordinate the scouting of players around theworld to ensure accurate information andratings for all staff in the footballing world. Filming Southampton Football Club matcheswhile studying at Solent helped him secure arole filming first team and youth teammatches at Brighton and Hove AlbionFootball Club.

2009Bertie GreenBSc (Hons) ConstructionAfter getting his degree, Bertie topped up hisqualifications with an HNC in QuantitySurveying. He works for Garenne Shopfittingas a Quantity Surveyor, on projects all over

the UK. Although he achieved CharteredBuilder status in 2010, his current aim is tobecome a Chartered Surveyor.

Nathan MyerthallBEng (Hons) Electronic EngineeringSince graduating, Nathan has been trained upin the theme park industry. He looked aftersome of London’s top rides and rollercoasters,and currently works at Thorpe Park. He isworking towards becoming a CharteredEngineer.

Tracy StevensBA (Hons) Events Management withTourismAfter a year of short-term internships, Tracygot a job as the Education Business Managerfor Marwell Wildlife Park. She enjoys her rolein a workplace that is so unusual that she cansee rhinos from her office window.

2010

Steven WoodgateBA (Hons) Sports JournalismAfter a stint of travel and sportingexperiences – witnessing England win theAshes, Andy Murray at the US Open andcompetitive squash in Kuala Lumpur – Stevenended up at Atletico Madrid’s trainingground, interviewing Sergio Aguero. He isstudying for an MA in Public Relations andworked as a Project Managing Intern atSolent University. He has also worked part-time in communications for Winchester CityFootball Club and most recently secured arole as a Digital Marketer for the globalcompany, Avery Dennison.


ALUMNI WHERE ARE YOU NOW?


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

KEEP IN TOUCH!We really want to know what you have been doing so tell us about your life after graduation!Whether you’re undertaking further study, working, travelling the world, running your own business,organising a reunion or raising a family, we’d like to hear about it.

Also, if you know any graduates who do not receive HEADWAY, ask them to contact us so we canensure we have their correct details on our database.

Don’t forget to let the Alumni Office know if you change your address, e-mail or job title!

You can update your details here: www.solent.ac.uk/about-us/graduates/alumni/registration-update-form.aspx

With a network of over 45,000 members worldwide, Solent Graduate Network aims to maintainlifelong links with past students, promote your achievements and foster contact with old friends and colleagues.

In addition to continued links with Southampton Solent University, membership benefits include:

• HEADWAY – the alumni magazine• News of reunions and events• Continued use of the library and Sport Solent facilities• Support of the University’s career service• Inclusion in the online e-mail directory of graduates and/or professional networking directory• Contact service which enables you to get in touch with old friends• Discounts on postgraduate/professional study and use of conference/training facilities• Free Solent Spark Discount Card• Use of Students’ Union facilities• Mail order service of University memorabilia• Dedicated alumni pages on the University website

For full details of our benefits and discounts visit: www.solent.ac.uk/about-us/graduates/alumni/graduate-discount-scheme.aspx

You can get in touch with us via:Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/solentgraduatenetworkTwitter:@solentunialumniLinkedIn: http://linkd.in/f1TowM or search for Solent Graduate NetworkTel: 02380 319642Fax: 02380 334161Email: [email protected]/alumni

Membership of the Solent Graduate Network is free and automatic for all

graduates of Southampton Solent University, Southampton Institute,

Warsash Maritime Academy (formerly College of Nautical Studies),

Southampton Technical College, Southampton College of Technology,

Southampton College of Art, and Southampton College of Higher Education.

SOLENT GRADUATE NETWORK – what’s in it for you?

Alumni are urged to take advantage ofthe Sports Centre St Mary's, which hasa separate state-of-the-art fitnesssuite and weights room. Tailor madetraining programmes are available aswell as exciting fitness classes. Friendlyfemale staff provide women only gymsessions and fitness classes in a closedand private environment. Sports CentreSt Mary's welcomes people of allabilities and levels of fitness.

For more detailsTel: 023 8031 9277 Email: [email protected].

*Offer valid from July 2012 to 30 June 2013. Full terms and conditions apply.

Southampton SolentUniversity Alumni can nowbenefit from student prices onall watersports courses*

The RYA recognised Training Centreoffers practical courses in dinghy andkeelboat sailing,powerboating andpersonal water craft (PWC) as well asRYA shore based qualifications.

For further detailswww.solent.ac.uk/watersportTel: 01489 556298.

*This offer cannot be used in conjunction withany other offers. Full terms and conditions apply.

Sport Solent

Gold, Silver andBronze gymmemberships atstudent rates


GIFT COLLECTION HEADWAY - Southampton Solent University’s Alumni Magazine

To order your Southampton Solent University gifts, please complete the order form in full and return to: Alumni Office, Southampton SolentUniversity, East Park Terrace, SOUTHAMPTON, SO14 0RB, UK.All prices include VAT and are valid until January 2013.

Please allow 28 days for delivery from receipt of order. All orders must be accompanied by full payment. Refunds will only be given if the goods are faulty

or out of stock.

Name (in full): .................................................................................................................................. Daytime telephone: ..................................................................................

Address: ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Postcode: .......................................................................................................................................... Email: ............................................................................................................

#

DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE QUANTITY P&P* TOTAL

1 Benji Bear (with t-shirt only)** £9.00

2 Graduation Bear (with t-shirt, mortar board and cloak) £11.00

3 Silver 1GB USB Stick £7.00

4 Silver star business card & photo holder £10.00

5 Golf umbrella £10.00

6 Silver-plated key ring £6.00

7 Rollerball Parker pen in black presentation case £10.00

8 Red pin badge £1.00

9 University scroll £6.00

10 University tie £10.00

*Postage and packaging extra. Please add per item: £2 UK and Europe; £3 outside Europe** Please note, mortar board not included on standard Benji Bear

£Order total:

1 2 3 4

6 7 8 9

5

10

Southampton Solent alumni can apply for 10% discount on our Postgraduate and Professional courses which can help enhance personal and professional development even further

WANT TO DO MORE?

To find out more about our courses talk to your lecturer or visit our website

www.solent.ac.ukPUBD2012-04-1816

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