evolve

Autumn 2010
The magazine for Friends of Coventry University

28
graduate
updates
Hot off
the press
How student media has
changed since the sixties

Age concern
The University’s innovative
ideas for supporting an
ageing society

win
a University
crystal decante
or one of T
goody bag
HR E
s!
r
E
Drawn
to success How Graphic Design graduate
Alison Snowden’s love of the
underdog earned her an Oscar
 evolve contents

welcome The University has changed a lot since

it merged with Coventry College of Art
10
in 1970 and developed the School of
Art & Design.
This move had an impact not only
on the future of the Institution but
also on the graduates it produced
who have gone on to enjoy
successful careers in the art and
design industries.
In this issue you can read
about Oscar-winning animator
Alison Snowden as well as a
more recent design graduate who didn’t let his disability
hold him back from success.
You can also see how much the Students’ Union’s
newspaper has changed since its production in the ‘60s to
the plethora of communication we have today. It reminded
me how much FOCUS has changed too. Now you can keep
in touch through our website and newsletters, on social
networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – and
of course through your magazine evolve.
Thanks to everyone who completed the alumni survey –
on page 30 you can read about the changes we’re making.

Keep in touch
Kristina
26
The alumni team
Alumni Relations Manager Maria Haslam
Alumni Relations Officer Kristina Anders
Data Officer Katharine Beer
Annual Fund Officer Brian Wilson
Head of Development Matt Feeley
Development Manager Chris Smith

Contact us
Telephone: +44 (0) 24 7688 8589
Email: alumni@coventry.ac.uk

20
Post: FOCUS, The Development Office, Alan Berry Building, Room
10, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB
Website: www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
E-News: A free monthly alumni e-newsletter. Subscribe by emailing
SUBSCRIBE to alumni@coventry.ac.uk
Social Networking: Become a Fan and join the Friends of
Coventry University group on Facebook, link up with the University
and other professionals on LinkedIn and get in touch on Xing.

Credits
This magazine is written and edited by Elliott House Communications,
designed by Linda Selby and Paul Clarke for Coventry University,
photographs by Graham Harwood and printed by Emmersons Press.
Special thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of evolve.
Please keep sending in your stories.

34
This magazine is published twice a year for alumni of Coventry University. All letters,
photos and news are welcomed but we reserve the right to edit any contributions.
The opinions expressed in evolve are those of the contributors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Alumni Relations Office or Coventry University.

2 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
contents
regulars
12 Get Connected
Find out what old friends are
doing now
18 My University
How a disability isn’t stopping one
graduate’s career ambitions
24 Letters
Your views and opinions about
Coventry University
29 Lecturer in Focus
Lecturer Ron Mountain’s interest
in emergencies and disasters
34 Reunions
See who has been back on
campus reliving old times
36 Events
Find out about the latest events
and activities on offer to graduates
competitions and
offers
37 Win a University Crystal
Decanter
38 Benefits and Services
All the perks of being a member
of FOCUS
40 University Gifts
Buy Coventry University branded
souvenirs to remind you of your
student days
8 At a time of
features
8 Enterprise: Gifted Friends
How three friends launched a
successful gift business
10 Employment: Work
Advantage
Using an internship or placement
to further your career
16 Research: Ideal Solution
Assisting businesses to launch
products for an ageing society
20 Interview: Alison Snowden
The Oscar-winning animator
reveals how to be successful
26 Nostalgia: Breaking News
Comparing student media in the
60s with today’s offering
30 Your Shout
Revealing your responses to the
recent alumni survey
32 Development: Practical
Approach
Neil Carson’s journey to becoming
CEO of a FTSE 100 company
This magazine
is available in
alternative formats on
request. Call +44 (0)
24 7688 8589 or email
alumni@coventry.ac.uk
Vice Chancellor
Madeleine
Atkins explains
University funding
uncertainty in the
public sector,
the University
did receive some
welcome news
this summer.
Coventry is
one of only a
few Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) that was given increased
government funding in the current
financial year.
The increase is from the Higher
Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE) and comes amid
a raft of spending cuts in the public
sector.
It recognises the contribution
our graduates make to the UK
economy – particularly in the maths,
engineering, technology and science
sectors – and how much employers
value the training we provide for their
workforce.
But despite this positive news, like
all universities we face tough times
ahead. To continue delivering high-
quality teaching and learning and to
improve our facilities to a standard
required by today’s students much
more investment is needed.
Our research agenda, increased
research funding and new initiatives
– such as our new London
campus – and our internal cost-
cutting measures have helped to
strengthen our position but we
are also looking to our alumni for
support. It might be a placement
or internship opportunity that you
could offer, a careers talk to aspiring
young students or a donation to
help fund a scholarship or bursary.
We’re confident about our future
but together we can ensure this
University builds an even greater
reputation for excellence.
Professor Madeleine Atkins
Vice-Chancellor
3
update
evolve update
The latest campus and graduate news
*Black and white
images courtesy of
Pete Chambers –
pictured right outside
the new cafe
Boost in
newsletter
numbers
O ver 20,000 graduates now
subscribe to the monthly
FOCUS e-newsletter.
The free personalised
newsletter is packed with updates
from graduates, news from
the University and includes a
competition with fun prizes.
In the past year, graduates have
won Coventry University branded
memorabilia such as T-shirts and
hoodies, as well as tickets to
enjoy ice hockey matches and a
day out at Alton Towers.
If you would like to receive
FOCUS E-News, you can
subscribe just by writing
SUBSCRIBE in the subject bar
and emailing alumni@coventry.
ac.uk. Please include your name
and course in the main body
of the email so we can add the
subscription to your record.
4 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
2-Tone museum opens
A new museum dedicated to
Coventry’s association with
2-Tone music is now open in the
Students’ Union and graduates are
invited to contribute memorabilia.
The 2-Tone Central museum
celebrates Coventry bands such as
The Specials and The Selecter who
were part of the 2-Tone movement
in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
The museum is also a café and
a live music venue and one of the
first exhibitions will be Coventry
University ‘The Lanch’ A 2-Tone
Icon – to mark the fact that many
of the 2-Tone bands played at the
Students’ Union and studied at music scene.
the University.
Among the collection will be
Roddy Radiation’s famous black
beauty Les Paul guitar, and one of
Lynval Golding’s Prince of Wales
Got a
story?
Send news
to alumni@
coventry.
ac.uk
suits. Coventry music historian Pete
Chambers is keen to hear from
graduates who would like to donate
or loan items.
“Were you in the Rat Race video?
Have you any memorabilia such as
a concert ticket, a pass, or maybe
something even more unique you
would like to loan or donate? If so,
please get in touch,” said Pete,
who is the 2-Tone Central Director.
The Specials’ Horace Panter
(Fine Art, 1975) recently unveiled
a 2-Tone plaque at the Students’
Union to commemorate its
involvement with the 2-Tone
The exhibition is free to
visitors. Please contact Pete
at tencton@hotmail.com for more
information or to loan/donate any
memorabilia.

Summer
graduation
O ver 700 international graduates
and postgraduates attended the
University’s graduation ceremony at
Coventry Cathedral in July.
In total, 754 graduates and 1,508
guests were at the ceremony on
21 July to celebrate the successful
completion of their qualification.
The University filmed the happy
event and you can watch it at www.
youtube.com/covstudent.
Alumni Relations Officer Kristina
Anders said: “Congratulations to
everyone who graduated this July.
It was a fantastic day and we wish
you all the best of luck in your future
careers. We also hope you keep in
touch with Coventry!”
All graduates are encouraged to
update their details with the alumni
office to ensure they receive the
evolve magazine and the monthly
e-newsletter FOCUS E-News. This
can be done at www.coventry.
ac.uk/alumni or by emailing alumni@
coventry.ac.uk with your new
address and contact details.
newsinbrief
Business brains
The sharpest business minds are taking
part in a new speaker programme that
launched this year.
The Meet the Business Prof series
is a chance to hear from the Business
School’s leading thinkers. Similar to the
Coventry Conversations format, which
involves the media, alumni are invited to
attend for free. Email alumni@coventry.
ac.uk for more information.
evolve update
Good call for survey winner
W inning an iPhone 4 came as a welcome surprise to one postgraduate after
three years of juggling work and study.
Tori Stead (Psychology, 2003, Personnel Management, 2010) gave feedback
on her studies in a Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES), which
was developed by The Higher Education Academy (HEA) to record students’
experiences of taught masters programmes in the UK.
All of Coventry University’s completed surveys were entered into a prize draw to
win an iPhone or four runners-up prizes of Amazon vouchers worth £100 each. Tori
was delighted to be chosen as the overall winner.
“When I received the email I thought it was a joke. It was good timing though as
my other phone had broken,” said Tori, who is an HR Assistant and was sponsored
by her employer Häfele to do the postgraduate qualification. “I was supported
during my course and it was good
to network with other people.”
Over 3,000 Coventry
postgraduate students were offered
the chance to take part in the second
national PTES earlier this year.
Results showed 89% indicated their
course had met or exceeded their
overall expectations. The next PTES
will take place in March-May 2011.
WINNER: Tori Stead with
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Ian Marshall
Defence course launches
A
new postgraduate course and Senior Lecturer in Materials and
in Defence and Security Engineering Design, said he was
Engineering launched this delighted about the new course.
October, aimed at graduates “Engineering for the defence and
who want to play a major engineering security sector is highly relevant to
role in developing defence technology. today’s world. The course represents
The MSc is an opportunity to study a contemporary vision of the industry
a subject in a growing industry as the and benefits from the University’s
UK’s defence sector remains one of know-how in automotive, aerospace
the largest employers of professional and manufacturing technology. We’re
engineers in the world. aiming to attract students not only
There are currently very few courses from the UK and Europe, but also
related to defence and security from international markets who are
engineering in the UK, and fewer still interested in this highly specialised
which offer a consolidated course industry growth area.”
specific to the sector. Call +44 (0) 24 7688 7091 for
Charles Kingdom, Course Tutor more information.
1974 award Sailing success
The 1974 graduation reunion received a Graduate Alastair Callender (Boat
bronze award in the alumni/fundraising Design, 2009) won the Condé Nast
campaign category at the Heist (Higher Traveller’s Innovation & Design Award
Education Information Services Trust) 2010 for Sustainability for his super-
Awards 2010. green superyacht design.
The University was also Alastair was featured in the spring
commended for its innovative use of 2010 issue of evolve and was voted
iTunes in the Innovation and Creative by the public to win the Condé Nast
Thinking category at the annual Heist competition for his eco-superyacht
awards in Manchester. concept called Soliloquy.
5
 evolve update
memory bank
Who was
your favourite
lecturer?
Andrew Goldfinch
(Combined Engineering, 1987)
Dave Elcock gave
a mature student
with no A-Levels
(I had a full tech
certificate) an
opportunity to
study for a degree. He was
always ready to help and
support and was totally
committed to his role.
Margaret Calvert
(Applied Science and
Engineering, 1992, Building
Management, 1996)
Keith Grierson –
his support and
encouragement
was invaluable
to me, and Geoff
Briscoe [Senior
Lecturer in Construction
Economics] for his speedy
and informative delivery of
economics with humour!
Sophia Arab
(Human Rights and Criminal
Justice, 2002)
Barry Mitchell
[Prof in Criminal
Law and Justice]
because I admired
the extent and
depth of his legal
knowledge. I also admired his
work including the writing of
books with other great scholars
such as Andrew Ashworth.
Syeda Akhter
(Psychology, 2006)
Senior Lecturers John Williams
and Ian Hume. Both were funny
and always kept us entertained.
See page 29 to read about
Disaster Management Lecturer
Ron Mountain and nominate
your favourite lecturer on the
update form enclosed with your
magazine or email the office at
alumni@coventry.ac.uk.
6 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
Creativity
on show
F inal year Art and Design students
impressed academics, industry
figures and graduates when they
showcased their work at the 2010
Degree Show in June.
The showcase of work was from
degree courses in Industrial Design,
Automotive Design and Visual
Arts as well work from final year
students in Fashion and Media and
Communication.
The degree show is an opportunity
for invited guests to look at some of
the latest car and product designs as
well as fine art, graphic design and
illustration work from the University’s
award-winning students.
It’s also an opportunity for
businesses to spot future talent.
Graduate Richard Shaw (Transport
Design, 1984) is now a Chief Designer
for Opel/Vauxhall and attended the
Show to find new recruits.
“It’s a really impressive show,” said
Richard who recalled memories of his
final year Degree Show. “It takes a lot of
hard work to get to this point and I can
remember feeling really nervous when
I had to do it. I’ve seen some really Watch highlights from the 2010
good work though and will definitely be Art and Design Degree Show at:
looking to recruit people from here.” www.youtube.com/covstudent
Artist impresses Volvo
O ne graduate impressed leading car manufacturer Volvo
Group UK so much it has commissioned him to produce
work for its offices for the second time.
Adam Hussain (Contemporary Craft, 2008) has won
awards for his contemporary glass designs and was first
asked to produce work for Volvo after winning a student
design competition.
The architectural glass panels he produced for the
company are still hanging in the foyer of its headquarters in
Warwick and now Adam is designing a bespoke piece for
its boardroom. The latest design ‘Interference’ was installed in October.
Adam is showcasing his artwork at a number of events and exhibitions in
2010-2011. Visit www.infiniglass.co.uk for more information.
 evolve update

Business link
F OCUS has started a LinkedIn group
for graduates interested in sharing
experience and information online.
The Friends of Coventry University
(FOCUS) group has over 400 members
and is seeking more graduates to join.
LinkedIn is a social networking site
with over 75 million members in over 200
countries and is aimed at helping users
create a professional network online.
Visit www.linkedin.com and
search for FOCUS.

IMPRESSED: Richard
Shaw (Transport Design,
1984) enjoyed the show
Career
progression
G raduates interested in helping
others further their careers can
now take more flexible, distant learning
modules as part of a postgraduate
Qualification in Careers Guidance (QCG).
The course, which has been running
for five years at the University, is offered
on a full-time and part-time basis. Part
time students can take specific modules
over a period of time to top up their
skills or complete the course in full over
the year.
This flexible approach has attracted
a range of roles and not just those
involved directly in offering careers
advice said Senior Lecturer John Gough.
“Some students are taking the course
with a view to changing their career

Networking groups
completely – such as managers who
want to help people rather than just
manage them – while others are just

T
he alumni office has launched
a range of specialist groups for
graduates to access social and
professional networks and is looking
for members to join in and share
their experiences.
Many of the groups are focused
on certain disciplines, such as
FOCUS on Law and FOCUS on
Media – and are directly aimed
at encouraging graduates to
professionally network with like-
minded individuals.
Two new groups are launching in
2011 called FOCUS on Business and
FOCUS on Design and the alumni
office is looking for graduates to join.
The groups will provide up-to-date
information on academic issues,
networking events as well as relevant
news and information from the
design and business industries.
If you are interested in joining
or setting up a new group call
Kristina Anders on +44 (0) 24 7688
8589 or email alumni@coventry.ac.uk
looking to diversify their skills.”
The recession has also seen a surge
in interest from people wanting or
needing to offer careers guidance due to
redundancies or changes in roles.
Coventry University is the only
accredited provider of the QCG in the
West Midlands and one of only 11
Higher Education Institutions in the UK
that teaches it.
For more information email John
Gough on john.gough@coventry.
ac.uk or visit www.coventry.ac.uk/
postgrad and search for the course.

7
 evolve enterprise

Gifted friends

GIFTED: (L-R) Rupert Bayley,

Adam Gore and Lena Cheung
in the warehouse in Leamington
with some of their bestsellers

8 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

A lack of gift
ideas on the high
street unwrapped
a multi-million-
pound business
venture for three
graduates
A
dam Gore describes
himself as the typical bloke
when it comes to buying
presents – generally leaving it until
the last minute and with a less than
enthusiastic approach to trailing
around the shops.
But this inertia sparked a gift
of an idea for the Automotive
Engineering graduate that has
resulted in the creation of a multi-
million pound business, got him a
wife and the opportunity to work
with his best friend too. Not bad for
someone who hates shopping.
“I thought there had to be a
better way to buy gifts than looking
in town all day for them so I started
findmeagift.com,” said Adam
casually about his Leamington-
based business that now trades
globally, employs 28 people and
last year turned over £6m.
The online store
offers a range of
present ideas to suit
different occasions
and demographics
so, for example,
customers can
search for ‘gifts
for men’ or even
‘graduation gifts’.
While the site
started off only
selling novelty gifts
it has expanded
to include more personalised items
suitable for weddings or christenings.
Their best seller is a Record Album
Frame for people to hang their LP
album covers as art. Adam has a real
eye for gifts that people will buy and his
insight often surprises business partner
and fellow Automotive Engineering
graduate Rupert Bayley who joined
findmeagift.com in 2008 as Business
Development Manager. “I remember
when he showed me the Mooncosy,
which is basically a blanket with sleeves
in. I really didn’t think anyone would
buy it, but it’s one of our best sellers,”
laughed Rupert.
Even when Adam was at University
he was searching for a good business
idea and regularly pestered lecturers
with his latest suggestions.
“We used to have Engineering in
Business lectures and I would ask the
lecturer about setting up a sandwich
business and he was like ‘look, I’m
trying to teach you about cars here,
why are you asking me about running a
sandwich business’. I enjoyed working
in engineering but I wanted to run my
own company,” said Adam.
But it was his engineering education
that helped keep the business afloat in
the early years. Employed in the day as
an engineer for Rolls-Royce Bentley, he
spent evenings and weekends in his
spare bedroom getting findmeagift.com
off the ground.
After a couple of years of running the
business at a loss, three of the people
he had first set it up with decided to
leave. Determined to make it a success,
Adam took on the business debt,
worth £40k, and carried on managing
findmeagift.com alone while also
working in a new role at Jaguar to try
and pay off the debt.
evolve enterprise
It wasn’t until the fifth year of
operation that Adam was able to leave
full-time employment.
“I read a lot of books about
entrepreneurship and a lot of people
say you’ve got to give something five
years. Especially in an immature market,
which online retailing was at the time,”
said Adam who reached his first goal
of a £1m turnover in 2006/7. “It was a
massive sense of relief and joy because
that had always been my target. As
soon as you get to the £1m, you start
thinking about reaching £10m!”
While Adam was hatching business
ideas at University he also met his wife
there too – Lena Cheung (Marketing,
1999). Lena, who was also friends
with Rupert at University, was living
in London and working in marketing
before she decided to move back to
the Midlands to join Adam’s business as
Marketing Manager in 2004. “You hear
so many horror stories about friends
and family working together and we
did have that in the back of our minds,”
said Lena who married Adam last year.
“But we talked about it for a long time.”
The three graduates work out of their
large warehouse in Leamington, which
looks a lot like Santa’s grotto with its
shelves stacked high with gifts. And
it’s at Christmas that the place really
does come alive – during the festive
season last year orders increased from
400 to 10,000 a day. The team are
now preparing for Christmas 2010 and
hoping to increase orders to 16,000
a day. Add to that their plans to open
warehouses in Europe and America,
and the company is definitely on its way
to Adam’s next goal of £10m.
“We’re all going out soon to celebrate
10 years of being in business,” said
Adam excitedly. “I always hoped it
would be this successful.”
Findmeagift.com is currently recruiting
for permanent and temporary positions.
Call 01926 818800 or email jobs@
findmeagift.com for more information.
IAE continues to support all
Coventry students and graduates
for more information about how to start
and develop a business, text IAE to
60777. Or contact Robin Underhay on
+44 (0) 24 7623 6001 or runderhay@cad.
coventry.ac.uk
9
 evolve employment
Work advantage
Internships are helping to get
careers off the starting blocks
and benefiting companies at
the same time
G
raduates are finding it harder
than ever to find a job in the
current economic climate
and in the race for employment,
work experience matters.
Coventry graduates are taught
transferable skills to benefit the
workplace, and the advice is
working. A recent survey revealed
that 91% of Coventry graduates
have secured employment or are
continuing with further study.*
Internships and work placements
play a key role in helping graduates
secure future employment and
also offer significant advantages to
businesses too.
The Higher Education Funding
Council (HEFCE) recently allocated
extra funding so graduates could
afford to take unpaid internships.
The University worked alongside
businesses in the West Midlands
to place graduates in a work
placement and were able to pay
each participant £1,250 for up to
216 hours’ work with the company.
This was a great incentive for small
and medium sized businesses that
welcomed the graduate resource was paid by the University to enable me to be there full-time,” explained
*The Annual HE Performance Indicators report 2009
but did not have the money to fund
the placement.
The HEFCE scheme was popular
and used all the funding available.
Although it has now ended, the
University still arranges internships
for students to help secure careers.
Two graduates reveal how work
experience helped them to secure a
job after graduation.
10 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
CAREER: (L-R)
Student Anca Po
p
with her husband
Bogdan who is now
employed in the UK
Bogdan Pop
(MSc Engineering Business Management, 2009)
Although Bogdan Pop had worked in the building services industry in
his home country of Romania, six months after graduation he was still
struggling to secure a job in the UK as companies wanted him to have
experience in this country.
“It was quite a big problem for me,” admitted Bogdan. “In a lot of
instances I didn’t even get to the interview stage, so I knew there was
something wrong with my CV.”
Bogdan had remained in contact with the University’s Careers Service
who sent him invitations to career fairs, alerted him to job adverts and
encouraged him to attend seminars on improving his CV, creating
covering letters and improving interview skills. Most importantly, they
helped him find an internship through the HEFCE scheme.
“The internship was seen as a work trial basis and the employer,
Wensley & Lawz, paid an additional amount of money on top of what I
Bogdan about Wensley & Lawz, a Coventry-based professional services
consultancy that provides Commercial Property Energy Performance
Certification (EPCs).
Bogdan’s internship was so successful that the company decided to
offer him a full-time position.
“I have already started preparing to get a professional qualification so
I will become a Commercial Energy Assessor,” said Bogdan who also
got married this year to Coventry student Anca Pop, nee Stefanescu.
“I would definitely recommend it because it improves your experience for
interviews, you build up your CV and increase your market value.”

Joe English
(Automotive Engineering,
2010)
Joe English benefited from a
13-month internship that he took at
NP Aerospace in Coventry on a year
out from his course. Joe found the
experience not only gave him more
confidence but also secured him a
job immediately after graduation.
“I was given a variety of projects to
do but I also got to try out different
areas of the company too,” said Joe
who worked on developing ideas for
armoured vehicles that are used in
war zones. “It also helped my final
“It also helped my final
project as I had practical
hands on experience,
which was quite useful.”
project as I had practical hands-on
experience, which was very useful.”
NP Aerospace also agreed to pay
Joe for some of the work he was
doing on his dissertation, as the
research would benefit the business.
And while Joe had been heading for
a career in the automotive industry,
he thinks the internship opened his
eyes to a different career path.
“I don’t think I would have thought
about working in defence before. I
was more into automotive. I’m keen
to progress now though and I might
take the new MSc in Defence and
Security at Coventry too,” said Joe
who is now working full time for NP
evolve employment
NEW ROLE: Joe English
found an internship changed
his career path
Aerospace and lives in Coventry.
“Quite a few of my friends haven’t
managed to find work yet so I feel
it was beneficial that I went into a
placement where they were able to
give me a job at the end.”
If your company would
like to find out more about
offering work experience
opportunities contact Careers
Services on careers.ss@coventry.
ac.uk or visit www.coventry.acuk/
careers or call the alumni office on
+44 (0) 24 7688 8589.
To find out more about the new
MSc in Defence and Security call
+44 (0) 24 7688 7091.
11
 evolve get connected

getconnected
Where are they now? Coventry graduates reveal all

Graduated 1970s
Douglas Myers Marketing, 1993
Production Engineering, 1971
and later Economics
I have happy memories of the time
I spent both at the old Lanchester
and also at Coventry University.
My courses covered Production
Engineering and later Economics. I
also did courses at the University of
Birmingham and Warwick College this Christmas. Visit www.
and Warwick University.
Brian Clarke
Combined Science, 1972
After working for 33 years in the 2009.
water industry, I am now retired,
except for a part-time job as the to make the built environment a place
clerk to a Parish Council.
John Simmons
Physics and Mathematics, 1974
After 35 years in IT at HM Customs
and Excise (now HM Revenue and
Customs), I took the opportunity of
early retirement last December. I am
using my spare time to do some work
on the house, help more with our
Robert Wilkinson
I am currently completing an
MA in TV Scriptwriting at De
Montfort University. I am also
writing and appearing in The
Cheeky Chappies’ Christmas
Cracker show from 14
December to 23 December
2010 at The Belgrade Theatre
belgrade.co.uk for more
information.
church (celebrating its centenary this
year – see www.westcliff-free-church.
org.uk) and do more with organising Greg White
Criccieth Adventure Camp (see www. Modern Studies, 1987
criccieth- Working at the University of Lincoln.
adventure.org.
uk). I was one
of the Class of Kaw Lam Chong
’74 graduands Building, 1987, European
who had a Construction Engineering, 2001
special day I came to Coventry in 1983 to do an
in November undergraduate degree in Building.
I was fascinated with the course,
which offered me a chance to learn
Graduated 1980s
Michael David Rhodes
Modern Studies, 1980
I had 12 years with Birds Eye Walls,
and since then I have been at
Leeds Metropolitan University in a
variety of roles, lately in awards and
examinations.

12 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve get connected

of comfort – living or working. I went

back to my home country to work
after graduation.
I decided to come back in 1999
to do my Masters in European
Construction in the same
department. The course had a very
strong cross-nation culture and
allowed me to interact with graduates
from many different backgrounds.
I decided to work and live in this
country after graduation. I have no
hesitation in mentioning that Coventry
University played an important part in
my education.

Paul Burton
Physical Science, 1988
Dr Terry Mann
I am still in research studying radiation
Performing Arts (Music Composition), 1996
effects on electronics. Our second
child, Maria Luisa, was born last I am on the shortlist for the £50,000 PRSF New Music Award again –
September. Our first, Daniel, was this time for my proposal for the project Automata Musica. My film is
two in June this year. I became a online at the PRSF website www.prsformusicfoundation.com.
Chartered Physicist last autumn and I have been made Honorary Research Fellow at London Metropolitan
should be making my first conference University in connection with the project.
presentation in September.

is garden maintenance but we are a strong client base of mainly elderly

Graduated 1990s
Suzanne Gibson
Health Sciences, 1992
I retired from the NHS in 2009 but
continued to do some consultancy
work. But along with an old friend,
Pat Hayes, I have set up the No 1
Ladies Gardening Agency and work
in the suburbs of Leicester and
Leicestershire. Our primary focus
Brian Marshall
Applied Social Science, 1994
I am the Training Manager and
Deputy HR Manager at Nordural
(Nordic Aluminum) in Iceland. I
also teach sport science (part
time) at Reykjavik University.
Furthermore, I am part of a TRI-
University team developing coach
education courses online, which is
supported by the Leonardo Fund.
The universities are: Edinburgh,
Copenhagen and Iceland.
also doing some design work. We
have both had a long-term interest
in horticulture and I worked in my
early days as an Occupational
Therapist alongside a Horticultural
Therapist and I try to apply my love
of gardening and my knowledge of
this as a therapy in my current work.
We have both recently studied for
the RHS Certificate in Horticulture,
which has consolidated and enhanced
our knowledge and skills. We have
people and we both enjoy our work
very much.
Paula Beesley
Social Work, 1995
I have two beautiful children, Lily,
who is four, and two-year-old James.
I have a wonderful balance between
work and play as a freelance practice
educator.
Natalie Bailey
Applied Social Science, 1995
I started Primary GTP with Newman
University College and Stockingford
Infants School in September 2010.
I worked as a Teaching Assistant
before that in preparation.
Louise Eden
Business and Personnel, 1996,
Business Administration, 1997
I have just moved house and
returned from a holiday to Vietnam
and Cambodia.

13
 evolve get connected

Matthew Jones
Biological Sciences, 2000
After extensive international business
travel, I am now back living in the UK
with the family – three children Hugh,
Bella, Austin and a dog called Boot! Still
working in the pharmaceutical industry
but recently moved to be partner in
a private equity
backed biotech
(start-up) – so
still trying to learn
biology! Congrats
to Paul Harris who
graduated same
year at Coventry –
he got married in
September this year.

Michelle Gorrell year. This was shortly before joining I am the County Secretary and a
the multi-lingual software support Trustee of the Scout Association
Adult Nursing, 1999
organisation at Alfresco where I was County of Birmingham where we have
Following promoted to Support Director for almost 6,000 members, two activity
graduation EMEA & APAC regions recently. This centres and county headquarters
in 1999 as a has me currently working from the premises. I also mentor a number of
Registered Sydney, Australia, office and, looking start up businesses and I am a board
Nurse, I worked out over Bondi Beach, I am pleased member of the local area for Young
at University that all the hard work for my degree Enterprise, a national educational
Hospital Coventry and since has charity. Additionally I have recently
and Warwickshire finally paid off. become a Director of an arts charity.
before moving Only now am I
into Community Nursing as an starting to see the Dr Gillian Kingston
Infection Control Lead Nurse in 2007. real value that a Applied Chemistry, 2002,
languages degree Environmental Science, 2006
Joanna Champion has in modern
Working at the University of
Business Law, 1999 business.
Birmingham as a Laboratory
I retrained as an ODP at Birmingham Manager in the college of Life and
City University in 2006-2008 and now Gerry Russell Environmental Science. I got married
(normally) work at Warwick Hospital, Human Resource Management, in 2009 and had my first child,
but in May I gave birth to a beautiful 2002 Edward, last year.
baby girl – so I am enjoying the joys of
motherhood and maternity leave! Marina Liebus
Occupational Therapy, 2003
Since I graduated in 2003, I have
Graduated 2000s returned to France and have found
a job as an Occupational Therapist
Claudia Belardo in a residential care home for elderly
people. I’m happy to put into practice
Modern Languages, 2001 what I learnt as a student at Coventry.
I got married to my gorgeous Italian All the best and thanks for keeping in
husband Sabino in Italy in August last touch with me.

14 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve get connected

Please send
your updates
for the next
issue to alum
ni@ Steven Nicholas Harre-Young
cove nt ry.a c. uk Emergency and Disaster Management, 2008
After doing Disaster
Management at
Leon Sinclair Coventry University,
I am now doing a
Civil Engineering Design, 2004,
PhD in collaboration
MSc Civil Engineering, 2010
with the National
I have recently completed my
Counter Terrorism
MSc, Civil Engineering at Coventry
Security Office and
University after graduating with a 2:1
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Design
other agencies,
in 2004. focusing on
counter-terrorism
Elizabeth Owen and the protection
of crowded places.
Music Composition and
Professional Practice, 2005
After graduation I did an internship
with the Philharmonia Orchestra in
London, where I even got one of my
compositions performed by members Magali Penoel Amy Wheeler
of the orchestra in a workshop.
Following this, I moved to London
International Business, 2005 Illustration, 2008
and for the last four years I have been I work in I run my own business making
working at an International Music France for two crafts for weddings and occasions,
Agency. I have lived in West London companies – illustrating freelance and making and
for four years and enjoy it a lot. I one which sells selling jewellery. l am also currently in
have recently been promoted to an therapeutic- the process of writing and illustrating
Associate Manager and I manage grade essential short stories and picture books.
a small list of singers – working oils and the
with international theatres, singers, other which Katherine Brown
musicians and orchestras. I love my offers the world’s first training in
job and have got to travel a lot with ‘Quantum Aromatherapy’ and medical
European Studies and French,
it too. aromatherapy. 2000, Wine Studies, 2009
I have recently completed a Diploma
in Wine and Spirits, which I studied
in London as part of my job as a
Commercial Executive at Thierry’s
Melanie Coulthard Wine Services (wine importers).
The course was run by WSET in
Physiotherapy, 2007 conjunction with Coventry University.
Since leaving Coventry I’ve I joined Thierry’s in 2001 and have
started writing more poetry recently been promoted to be an
(I began writing in my final Account Manager. I have also just
got married
year), completely unrelated to
to Richard
my studies and my job as a
Brown and
manual handling assistant for we had a
Liverpool Community NHS! wonderful
I’ve recently had one of honeymoon in
my poems published by the Canadian
United Press. Rockies!

15
 evolve research
SUPPORT: The ageing
population is looking for
more support, (right,
top) Usability trials can be
recorded, (right, bottom)
Working a smart oven
using task prompting
software for people with
cognitive disabilities

i-DEAL
solution to assist
an ageing society
The impact of living longer is causing major
challenges for our society and economy but the
University is helping to develop innovative solutions
16 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

T
he UK population is
ageing. The numbers of
people aged 65 and over
increased by 1.7 million
between 1984 and 2009,
and the fastest population increase has
been by those aged 85 and over. The
Department of Health states that by
2030, incidences of chronic disease in
the over 65s will more than double.
These dramatic demographic
changes are creating a range of
challenges in the way we care for the
rise in the number of older people. The
prospect of moving to a care home, or
relying on relatives to look after us in
our old age, are not options many of us
relish (statistics show 87% of us want
to say in our own homes). So, as the
population grows older, the market for
assistive technology that can help us
to live more independently for longer, is
becoming more competitive.
“Assistive technology companies
are waking up to the increasing
importance of the consumer in the
marketplace,” said Sharon Simkiss,
Project Manager at the University’s
Health Design & Technology Institute
(HDTI). “Consumers are looking for
products which not only meet their
needs, but which also look good and
are easy to use.”
The Intelligent Design Engine for
Assisted Living (i-DEAL) project is a
cross-faculty project involving HDTI, the
Faculty of Health & Life Sciences (HLS),
the School of Art & Design (CSAD),
three West Midlands Small and
Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and
project lead Alvolution, the Assisted
evolve research
As part of the i-DEAL project
Professor Andree Woodcock in the
School of Art & Design has designed
a toolkit which gives SMEs guidance
on choosing the most appropriate
evaluation methods for developing their
product and which provides advice on
setting up a usability study.
The toolkit is a decision support
system which asks the SME key
questions about their product, based
on its stage of development,
access to end-users and
resources available. The result
is a list of appropriate methods,
based on the company’s
particular circumstances, a help
section on what that method is,
and links to help the company
use that method. It’s a unique
and invaluable tool to reduce the
risk of new product innovation.
“It’s a very simple but effective
Living Division of MedilinkWM. support system,” said Sharon.
“For only 30 minutes of a company’s
Coventry’s role in i-DEAL, which is
time, the toolkit will provide practical
funded by the Technology Strategy
help and identify an appropriate
Board and the Engineering and
Physical Sciences Research Council, evaluation method to inform the future
is to support usability trials for new design of their product.”
products that the project’s SME The research team is now putting
partners are developing and to create completed product evaluations through
a methodology to help businesses the toolkit to test its reliability and using
engage end-users in making ‘fit for it to inform future product testing.
purpose’ assistive technology products. HDTI is currently considering how
The University is creating a clear to commercialise the toolkit and the
path for SMEs to develop, test, School of Art & Design is exploring its
refine and market new life-enhancing potential scope as a teaching tool for
products that meet the needs and design students. In addition, Professor
design standards of an increasingly Julie Barlow is working with two West
discerning public. Testing these Midlands SMEs to run usability trials
innovative new products with end- at various stages of their products’
users helps SMEs optimise the design development cycle.
of a new product and reduces the The three-year i-DEAL project
commerical risk of bringing it to market. concludes in June 2011 and HDTI is
Feedback may also stop a company already preparing a plan for how it can
from marketing a new product if use the toolkit and the lessons learnt
evidence shows it would fail. from the usability trials
HDTI brings the University’s research expertise in community-
based therapy into direct contact with businesses. The outcome
is a creative approach to project work to develop new products
and new systems of care provision. The new Institute houses design
studios, laboratories, workshops and test areas where researchers and
clients can explore and evaluate new ideas. Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/hdti.
17
 evolve profile

Q How did University help

your career?
Coventry University has a good
set-up for students with disabilities,
promote her two businesses – I
designed some flyers and business
A I knew for quite some time
that I wanted a career in
there is a dedicated team that
assists students in all of their needs
cards for her.

advertising. The course gave me

a broader knowledge of what
advertising is. I found that the group
assignments were the most helpful in
deciding which job role I wanted to
do. Trying out different roles enabled
me to determine which roles I
enjoyed and could be my future job.
I also did some work experience in
the University’s Press Office, writing
copy to advertise the University.
I realised then that I preferred to
design artwork for adverts.
Q How was University life
with a disability?
and that was the other main reason
for me choosing this University.
Q What have you been
doing since graduation?
A Graduation is a day that
is, and will always be, a
landmark in my life. The first thing
I did on the day was to put on my
cap and gown, which made me
feel important. The best feeling was
collecting my certificate in front of
all the people in the Cathedral. It
was the proudest moment of my life
so far and it made it more special
Q Can you tell me about
your new job in Florida?
A I am going to be the Marketing
Manager of Juiceblendz in
Central Florida. Juiceblendz is a
franchise of juice bars that sells high
calorie fruit smoothies and healthy
food throughout the USA. My role
will be to analyse the local market,
conduct a local SWOT analysis
and to use my IT skills to design
marketing material.
My ultimate ambition is to have my
own business designing promotional
packages for businesses offering a

A I don’t think it is unusual for

disabled people to feel like
because I was able to share the day
with my parents.
wide range of print advertising.

Do you have any

outsiders. I first experienced it when
I went to a mainstream college so
I wasn’t under any illusions that I
might well experience it again when I
started university.
I found it helped that I began
my first year living in catered
accommodation because I was able to
Since graduating I have done
some promotional work for
Q interesting hobbies?
businesses of friends and family,
designing material to promote
A At the moment I am playing
electric wheelchair football for
events – including designing flyers, a team called the Greenwich Power
invitations, business cards and Rangers. I enjoy listening to and
logos. I also did some work for making music, I also like travelling.
a businesswoman in Florida to

“
socialise and make friends with other
students in the canteen. It was difficult

Graduating was
at first when I had to do group
assignments because I found
that my fellow students

the proudest
were unsure about me
which didn’t really
bother me because I

moment of
knew as time passed
everyone would get
to know the real me

my life
”
– and they did.

Leon Donegan (Advertising

and Media, 2009) didn’t let
cerebral palsy get in the way
of his career ambitions when
he left home for University
and now he’s moving
stateside for his first job as a
Marketing Manager
18 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 career
Develop your

As a Coventry University graduate, your education is

already benefiting you in the workplace. Why not let
Coventry continue to enhance your career even after
you have graduated?

Postgraduate and part-time study offers you the chance to

add a range of specialist skills to your portfolio and
advance your career options.

We also offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

training programmes through our School of Lifelong
Learning to further enhance your career progression.

Come along to one of our Postgraduate and Part-time Open

Days to find out about the opportunities:

Saturday 5th March 2011 10am – 2pm

Saturday 18th June 2011 10am – 3pm
Saturday 3rd September 2011 10am – 2pm

Alumni who would like to arrange a meeting with a tutor at

a more convenient time can contact the Graduate Centre
for a separate appointment or come along to an Open Day.
Subject experts will be available to advise you about our
courses and you can have a tour round our dedicated
facilities for Postgraduate, Part-time and Continuing
Professional Development (CPD) students.

Our open days take place in the Graduate & CPD Centre,
Jaguar Building on the city centre campus, accessible from
Gosford Street, off Junction 3 of the ring road.

For further information and to register, please

email gradopendays.uni@coventry.ac.uk or
visit www.coventry.ac.uk/postgraduate or
call + 44 (0) 24 7688 8614
 evolve big interview

Drawn

ANIMATED:
A still from
the popular
children’s
series Ricky
Sprocket

20 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve big interview

to
winning
Oscar-winning animator Alison Snowden
(Graphic Design, 1980) reveals how self-
belief and creative integrity have produced WINNER: (top) At the BAFTAs after
being nominated for Bob’s Birthday in
a successful career 1994 with (L-R) David Fine, Nick Park
and Alison (below) David and Alison
arriving at the Oscars in 1995.

S
urprisingly, Alison Snowden is rather self-effacing. After
being twice-nominated for an Oscar and then going on to
win one of the much-coveted trophies, you would expect
a certain air of bravado. But that’s not her style – neither
in her personality or in the films and series she has made with her
business and life partner David Fine.
Alison has affection for the underdog and in fact her first Oscar
nomination was for her first short animated film about a lonely
older woman who orders an inflatable man to keep her company.
“I’ve always liked underdogs. I was never someone who
wanted to write about the most popular kid in the class,”
explained Alison, who was nominated for an Oscar only four
years after graduating from Coventry, and then nominated again
in 1988 for a short film called George and Rosemary about an
ordinary middle-aged couple who find romance. “I
could never write Friends [popular American sitcom]
for example – a group of beautiful people dealing
with the problems of being beautiful. I never really
related to that. I like normal, regular people.”
Despite her modesty, Alison has never let a lack
of confidence get in the way of ambition. After
Coventry, she applied to the National Film School
even though competition was fierce and she had no
direct film experience.
“Everyone said I would never get in but I
remember thinking that you have to buy a lottery
ticket to be in with a chance of winning. I was quite
shy and never thought I was that good but I really
wanted to go there and I had nothing to lose by
applying,” said Alison. And she was right. It was
an application that would shape her future
 evolve big interview
both professionally and personally
as it was here that she met David, who is
Canadian, and their partnership began.
Although Alison had always been
creative, it wasn’t until Coventry that she
discovered an interest in animation and
film. A foundation course at Mansfield
College of Art had led her to the degree
in Graphic Design and it was the film
making side that caught her attention.
“I remember seeing the camera
equipment and really wanting to have a
go with that. But the general feel of the
University was really good and I liked
the campus,” recalled Alison who in
1977 moved from Arnold in Nottingham
to Coventry and lived in Priory Halls for
her first year. She moved to Paradise
WORK: (top) A
commerical for
Smarties that
Alison designed
in the Carnaby
Street Studio
(centre) Alison
working in
Carnaby Street
(bottom) A
still from Bob’s
Birthday
22 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
“I just wanted to draw
because I liked it. I didn’t
want to be philosophical
about why I’d painted
a peach.”
Road after that, which she described as
ironic, and enjoyed going out with friends
to the Students’ Union. “The campus
was good – there were lots of dances.
I remember an amazing canteen – and
lots of nice puddings!”
Although the animation part of the
course ignited Alison’s
enthusiasm to work in
the medium, she nearly
swapped courses to study
Fine Art. “I remember
thinking maybe I should be
doing that [Fine Art] as I really
liked the way the students
would shop in their pyjamas.
They seemed to have more
fun in their slippers,” laughed
Alison. “I backed out of
changing courses though
because they
had to give a
reason for doing
everything and
I just wanted to
draw because
I liked doing it. I
didn’t want to be
philosophical about
why I’d painted a
peach.”
This desire for
artistic freedom
has helped Alison
maintain a self-
employed career. In
the early days she and
David were thrifty.
“We always felt we
were completely unemployable,”
laughed Alison. “We were quite
single-minded and when we
were directing we would have a
really strong feeling about how
we wanted to do it. You can
either work for someone else
or you’ve got to make it. We
had that determination – we
just wanted to make our own
films. We made
sacrifices, rented cheap
and wouldn’t eat out. We did that
for many years to build up to where we
are now. Our investment in the beginning
was to work on our portfolio and reap
the benefits later. It’s a creative choice.”
The sacrifices need not be so great
for filmmakers now. The advent of better
technology has meant it can take just a
couple of months to create an animated
film that once would have taken a couple
of years to make – such as Alison’s
Oscar-winning short film Bob’s Birthday.
As well as writing the scripts, the
scenes all had to be drawn out in pencil,
then inked, painted and inked again.
A laborious process that computer
software has removed. Painstaking as
it was, the effort was worth it when the
couple won the Oscar in 1994.
“We were really nervous. It’s scary
– especially when they tell you how
many millions of people are watching.
Once they call your name, something
happens. It’s an out-of-body experience.
You go backstage and everyone’s taking
your picture, and you think ‘it’s over,
we’ve won!’ That’s exciting,” said Alison
who acknowledged, glamour aside, how
beneficial the award was to help further
their careers. “People will at least let you
pitch ideas and consider you seriously –
‘the Oscar-winning couple’. People see it
as a qualification.”
The success of Bob’s Birthday, which
was originally funded by Channel 4, led

SPROCKET: A film strip
from Ricky Sprocket
to the animated series, Bob & Margaret.
The stories were about the humdrum
lives of a suburban couple.
Alison and David developed the series
in London, where they were living at
the time, and ran their own studio on
Carnaby Street. British comedians such
as Harry Enfield (pictured right) and
Steve Coogan did some of the voices
for them but its popularity grew more
in Canada than the UK and eventually
much of the work moved over there due
to more generous budgets.
The couple have switched between
the two countries, finally settling in
Vancouver with their 12 year-old
daughter Lily (who is the original voice of
children’s character Peppa Pig as Alison
is friends with its creator Mark Baker).
They have won a stack of awards
and collaborated with people such as
their pal, Nick Park (Wallace and Gromit
creator), with whom they went to film
school and helped develop the Aardman
series Shaun the Sheep.
Their latest successful venture has
been a fantastical children’s series
called Ricky Sprocket and they are now
planning to develop an animated adult
sketch show with one of their comedian
friends. Ideas are also underway for
evolve big interview
an animated feature film. “I
could dream about something
happening and I’d think ‘if I have
thought it then maybe it’s possible’ so
I’d take the best route towards making
it happen,” said Alison who works from
her home studio. “People can say ‘oh
the economy is terrible’ and they can’t
get work – but people do. Just make
sure you’re the one who gets the job.
Be too good to refuse. Have a plan and
keep your eyes on the prize.”
Maybe living on Paradise Road was
more prophetic than ironic.
student profile
Lived: Priory Halls and then
Paradise Road.
Favourite pub: The Students’ Union.
Friends: Good friend Ann Routledge
(now Thompson) who I still keep in
touch with.
Favourite memory: I just remember
campus life being so good. And
those puddings!
23
 evolve letters
Share

letters
your views
with other
oventry
Friends of C d you
University an spend
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Drunks R Us ent included spell

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24 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve letters

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range of course books, textbooks and professional titles at highly competitive
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Revisiting
VISIT: (l-r) Arzmi’s
Alumni Relations
daughter,
Offi
Kristina Anders, Arz cer
mi Yaacob Coventry Dear FOCUS,

M
alaysia has a long educational relationship with
Britain due to, among other reasons, historical
past, and the relevance of British education
with the demand of Malaysian industries and the quality
of the programmes offered.
I took pride when my daughter headed to Britain
for her studies at the University of Kent on a Malaysian
Government scholarship. While visiting her in June I took
her to Coventry where we stayed for four years when I
pursued my PhD.
I showed her my study room on the fourth floor of the
William Morris building. We went to the Alumni Office
where I met some officers who were kind enough to entertain us. Of course there were a few
souvenirs that I bought to update my collection from my alma mater.
I often reminisce about my daily routine as a PhD student. Leaving my home early in the
morning, heading towards my study room or the library. At the weekend it was shopping time
especially at the car boot sales, buying whatever was useful to lessen my financial burden.
I was also a season ticket holder of Coventry City Football Club and on Saturday afternoons
I would head towards Highfield Road.

Thank you
Coventry was then in the Premier League.
I still follow their progress.
My time at Coventry was a fulfilling
one. Not only did I get what I was sent for
but also, equally important, my children
Dear FOCUS,
received a strong introduction to education.
My warm regards to the staff of Coventry T hank you for my Waterstone’s voucher.
I quite fancy investing in a Graham
Sutherland book. I studied his work during
University and to the people of Coventry.
My family and I remember them with A-Level art and it was yet another reason
fondness. None of us faced discrimination I wanted to go to Coventry because his
or serious problems while we were there. work adorns the Cathedral.
May our friendship be ever lasting. Lynden Campbell
(European Law, 2002)
Arzmi Yaacob (PhD Coventry
Winner of last issue’s star letter.
Business School, 1998)

25
 evolve nostalgia

Breaking
news Student media has changed a lot
since the sixties but the printed
newspaper still lives on. Two
graduates share their experiences

1960s
Chris Hutchinson
(Applied Social
Science,1973) started
at Lanchester College in
1969 and was involved in TOP OF THE WORLD:
(main pic) Chris from his
the student newspaper days in the Mountaineering
Club and (inset) Chris today.
throughout his studies.
newspaper’s office. The friend never
turned up but the paper wanted a
cartoonist. I had spent some time in
an art school so I stopped on, drawing
cartoons, headlines and adverts and

“I
should have left in the spring
of 1972 with a BA (Hons)
in Applied Social Science.
Regrettably, this didn’t happen until
the spring of 1973. One of the reasons
may have been because I spent too
much time in the Phoenix newspaper
office, which was next to the coffee
bar in the basement of what was
then the library/administration block
opposite the Cathedral.
On my first day, I had no ambitions
to work on a newspaper but was
persuaded to meet a friend in the
then reporting and writing articles too.
The paper reported on the
important things of student life, the
elevation of the college to Polytechnic
status, the merger with Rugby College
and Coventry College of Art and in
March 1970, the introduction of CNAA
degrees and the unplanned lowering
of a lamp post through the roof of the
sculpture studio in the College of Art!
It reported visits from Margaret
Thatcher (then Minister of Education),
Sir Adrian Boult, Sir Alec Douglas-
Home and the unidentified prowler in

26 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve nostalgia

the ladies showers.

Politics of the day were different.
Apathy got mentioned but then so
did Cyprus, Biafra, Ulster and South
Africa – especially as the visit by the
South African rugby team to Coventry
provoked anti-apartheid protests.

Today
It included all important issues
such as Rag Week, entertainments
and coverage of all the usual student
sports (including tiddlywinks – the
Polytechnic tiddlywinks team used to Dez Cutchey
practise in the Phoenix office).
(Journalism and Media, 2009) started at Coventry
There was a women’s page and if
there were no women available to write University in 2006 and became Vice President
it one of the men was told to listen to Communications for the Students’ Union in 2009.
the Jimmy Young programme on the
He has just been re-elected by students to serve a
radio and base a write up on that.
Beer seems to have been one of
second year.

“I
the most important topics. When I
say that prices seemed to range from am in charge of all
1/11d to 2/6d (10p - 12½p) a pint I’m of the media and
sure that younger readers will sit up. communications
Times changed. In March 1971 side of the Students’
decimalisation saw the Phoenix’s price Union, which includes The
go up to 3p, but it was losing money. Source newspaper, and I
Issue no.54 dated 17 March 1972 oversee some of our media
priced 4p is the last issue I can trace. societies such as Source
The first illustration which I did for Radio and CUTV, which is
The Phoenix was of Alan Richmond, our broadcasting society.
the principal – he had just received I’m in charge of social media
his knighthood for CUSU, things such as
(pictured left). Facebook and Twitter, and I
We thought have editorial control over our
it was vital for website.
students to Students write most of the
have their own content for the newspaper,
newspaper. I and I have a team of four
wonder if that
sub editors, each in charge of different areas of the paper – news, views,
feeling still exists
entertainment and sport. We interview the volunteers and choose the best
and whether older
people for those roles. This year we have taken on a student editor. It’s a
students remember
voluntary role, alongside their studies, but will be great experience. I’m still
the paper.”
editor in chief but it enables me to step back from the operational side of
putting the newspaper together.
Stories we have covered recently have been the Students’ Union
1960s Paper facts re-brand and after we printed the news, we used our online platforms
to encourage students to vote for a new logo. We also ran a campaign
Name: The Phoenix
against the students’ bar being put out to a third party supplier – and
Staff: All volunteer students
managed to overturn the decision.
Pagination: 12
We have recently invested a lot more money in the paper and changed
Frequency: Fortnightly printers to improve the quality. We also put a PDF version of the
Price: 6d (2½p) newspaper online and have started Source Online, which is a
Print run: 1,000 news blogging website.

27
 evolve nostalgia
We still produce a students’
newspaper because it’s still one
of the best ways to communicate
with students and let them know
what’s happening in the SU and the
University – and in the local area.
Students are still more likely to
read the newspaper than they are to
go to the CUSU website, but we are
investing more in online to make it the
predominant form of communication.
Most universities still produce
a printed newspaper and I still
see a place for it in the future.
It’s traditional and a lot of people
28 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
are used to picking up an actual,
physical newspaper. Our print run
will probably decrease with the rise in
technology, but I don’t think it will die
out altogether. There’s still a place in
people’s hearts for print.
When the newspaper is back from
the printers I feel joy and relief. It’s a
unique feeling because it feels more
permanent than anything I do online.
You know that people are going to
see your work everywhere – even
if they don’t realise you have done
it. When you see someone reading
a copy, it gives you real pleasure.
It’s something to take
pride in.
I guess the role has
changed a lot because of
technology. I handle a lot
more now but back then
the paper would have
been harder to do. There
was no internet to do fast
research, there were no
mobiles to make calls on
COMMUNICATOR: Dez Cutchey juggles
student radio, the website and the
newspaper to meet the communication
needs of today’s students
the go, they had to do the design
themselves and manually deliver disks
to the printers. Now it’s easier to do
it because it’s expanded digitally.
Although it’s got easier, it’s just meant
we have taken on more.”
Visit www.cusu.org to find out
more about student communications.
2000s Paper facts
Name: The Source
Staff: One paid (and elected)
Vice President Communication,
Designer (paid staff member who
works for SU), Communications
Manager (paid staff member
who works for SU and collects
advertising for newspaper),
volunteer student editor and team
Pagination: 24
Frequency: Monthly
Price: Free
Print run: 4,000

Q Where did your academic career begin?
I studied Human Geography at the University of
A Toronto – at the time, the social science-based
programme came as a revelation to me. Four years
later, armed with a Bachelor’s degree, I wanted to start
work, but since Canada was in the midst of a recession, I
decided on a Master’s degree and went to York University
(also in Toronto) and into an innovative, interdisciplinary
Environmental Studies programme.
Another four years later, I graduated and started work
as a Policy (Town) Planner in a small city in the middle of
the Canadian prairies. Although I enjoyed the work, the
wider world beckoned! I chose to do a second Master’s
– in Government – at the London School of Economics
(LSE). The study of political theory proved to be a formative
influence on my intellectual development. After that, it was
time for a change and time to earn some money!
Q How did you move into disaster
management and emergency planning?
A After a short stint as a Policy Analyst with the Greater
London Council, I moved to the London Fire Brigade
and made the transition from town planning to emergency
planning. The Unit, there – staffed almost entirely by senior
ex-military officers – was quite a change from student life at
the LSE!
Most of my work over the next 15 years involved writing
emergency plans and preparing for possible major industrial
accidents. I maintained an academic interest, however, and
in 2001 when Coventry University was expanding its range
of emergency/disaster programmes, I decided to move
back to academia – but this time as a lecturer, rather than
as a student.
“My hard work
over the past nine
years has been
worthwhile”
Canadian-born Ron Mountain brings
valuable experience as a practitioner into
his role as Senior Lecturer in Disaster
evolve profile
Q How has your work at Coventry University
changed since you arrived?
A At Coventry, we had just two undergraduate courses,
with some 100-150 students, the year before I arrived.
Now we have a wide range of programmes – several
Bachelor’s courses, a CPD Emergency Planning Diploma,
CPD Masterclasses, and three Master’s programmes – with
some 200-250 students!
Changes in the environment – outside the University – have
been and continue to be very significant. The current climate
of financial austerity and the demand for efficiency is affecting
both higher education and emergency/disaster management
service providers.
But there also continues to be a demand for qualified,
competent emergency/disaster managers, arising from
legislative changes in the UK and from growing public
expectation for effective intervention into increasingly frequent
and serious disasters – both domestically and abroad.
Q Do you enjoy your job?
Aspects of my job bring satisfaction, including seeing
A students demonstrate a growing understanding of
the subject matter and an ability to make sound
academic arguments. I tell my students that I’m ‘50%
academic and 50% practitioner’. I enjoy integrating theory and
practice – my approach to teaching and, indeed, my career at
the University, reflect this background.
When a graduating student beams with pride about what
they have accomplished or when, as occurred in a recent
meeting, an external academic who maintains close contact
with the UK practitioner community exclaims that Coventry
University has transformed the face of emergency planning
in the UK – I feel that all of my hard work over the past nine
years has been worthwhile.
and Emergency Management
29
 evolve survey

Your shout Thanks to everyone who responded to the

recent alumni survey – your responses are
helping to shape your association

40%
of respondents have visited the FOCUS website but 27% of
you didn’t know you had a dedicated website!
It’s updated regularly with news about the campus and
graduates, information on exclusive benefits, old photos
and stories, as well as essential careers advice – make
sure you are not missing out and visit the alumni website
today at www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

Your benefits

4-in-5
Over half of you said you value the
discounts and benefits on offer to you as
a FOCUS member. As well as discounts
on days out and eating out – the savings
made on booking a cottage holiday with
cottages4you is popular. See pages
38-39 for a full list of all your exclusive

evolve
of respondents said they benefits and services.
Spring/Summer 2010

The magazine for Friends of Coventry University

find all articles in evolve

appealing and more than
win
a hotel break half read it for longer than
and membership
to the Gourmet
Society
25 minutes! Also, 95%
five
reasons
said they enjoy reading
to offer a about the University’s
placement
Class of ‘74 developments and finding
graduate
Finally celebrating their
graduation – 35 years later out about other graduates.
Man for all
seasons How TV weatherman John Kettley
Nine-in-10 said they
found the content of the
graduated from Coventry and
became a household name
e-newsletter interesting.
Keep sending your news!

30 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni

A helping hand
Nearly half of all respondents said they
would consider recommending or
have already recommended Coventry
University to future students and
more than a third said they would give
careers talks or offer work placements.
FOCUS is always looking for
volunteers – so if you’re interested
in talking to students about life as a
Coventry graduate or could offer a
work placement – just email alumni@
coventry.ac.uk and let the team know.
If you haven’t got much spare time
but want to support Coventry students
in some other
way, you can
donate to the
Phoenix Fund,
which helps
students with
bursaries and scholarships among
other things. Contact Brian Wilson at
brian.wilson@coventry.ac.uk or donate
online at www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
and visit the Support section.
Friend-finder
A quarter of respondents said they
were encouraged to search for
old friends after reading a copy of
evolve. The alumni association’s
Find-a-Friend service is a popular
way to search for friends.
Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
to find friends. You will need to log in
with your username and password to
access the FOCUSonline area.
evolve survey
graduate
views
A massive 89% of respondents said they are satisfied
with the service they receive from FOCUS. That’s great
news but there’s still room for improvement and FOCUS is
looking at every suggestion alumni made in the survey to
make things even better. Here are some of your requests
and an update on how they are being dealt with.
“I’d like to see a job vacancy section on the website”
No problem – the website already includes information about
searching for graduate posts and internships (visit the Careers
and Learning page under the Benefits section). You will find
links to the Careers Service as well as to the University’s
recruitment agency thefutureworks. It’s also worth checking
www.prospects.ac.uk – the official graduate careers website.
“I’d like to see
reunions organised
by periods instead
of years”
The alumni team are
happy to help you
arrange a reunion for
your course, sports
club or society, your
graduation year or
decade – you name
it FOCUS can help. Just contact Kristina Anders at
alumni@coventry.ac.uk with requests.
“I’d like the website to be easier to use”
FOCUS relaunched its website last year but after adding
so many new sections for graduates, it’s time for a new
look and structure to help you search around easier.
The new website will be launching later this year. Look
out for the revamp – or subscribe to FOCUS E-News
so you know when it’s live (just email SUBSCRIBE to
alumni@coventry.ac.uk to subscribe to the e-newsletter).
“I’d like more focus on international issues”
Over the last year the team have been working more
closely with the International Office to arrange more
events. You can read about the recent reunions that
were held in Lagos and Beijing on pages 34-35.
31
 evolve development
Practical
T
he practical side of
education inspired Neil
Carson at The Lanch.
Being able to apply the
theory to real projects
sparked a successful career with one
of the w orld’s leading companies in
advanced materials technology and
propelled him to the top position at
the FTSE 100 company.
Neil started at The Lanch in 1976
and liked the fact the lecturers had
worked in industry.
“The thing that I’d been missing
at school was the way that these
lecturers could relate why we were
doing this stuff. That set it alive for
me so I worked pretty hard,” said
Neil who still found time to play
rugby – becoming Chairman of the
rugby club in his fourth year and
reaching the Polytechnic Cup Final
one year too.
“We were like most rugby clubs
and a bit loud, but nothing too
controversial,” said Neil. “It gave me
a really good group of mates that
I am still occasionally in touch with
today. I had a really good time. It was
hard work in the day, an hour in the
library, and then off to the Hope &
Anchor with my mates.”
The hard work paid off and Neil
secured a position as a Graduate
Trainee for Johnson Matthey in 1980,
among graduates from Oxford and
Cambridge.
It was Neil’s ability to roll his
sleeves up and get on with the
32 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
approach
job that has seen him travel the
world with the global business and
progress through Johnson Matthey
to become its CEO.
“Practical, pragmatic, common
sense – these are skills that are
essential in business. A lot of
people who have an academic
qualification do well in business
but the more practical courses are
better preparation. Business is really
simple. If anyone tries to make out
its complicated, they’re probably
wrong,” said Neil who is proud of his
achievements.
“I consider myself very lucky.
When I joined Johnson Matthey,
I never imagined I was going to
stay more than two or three years.
My wife and I moved around a lot,
sometimes we didn’t really want to
but we did. That’s part of the benefits
now, as I was seen as someone
with broader experience – and that
RUGBY: Neil (back
row, fourth from the
left) with his rugby
team at The Lanch.
helps,” said Neil who is also using
his experience to benefit Coventry’s
new London Campus by being part
of its Global Advisory Committee.
His input as a large employer of
engineers and scientists will be
invaluable and his business sense
will help with the practical aspects of
the running of the new campus.
“I applaud the innovation of
Coventry to do something new.
They have done their research and
there looks like there is a gap in the
market so I’m happy to support it,”
said Neil who is also impressed that
the London Campus is offering an
unrivalled work experience package.
“One of the things that Coventry
excels at is that it’s good at getting
people jobs. It focuses on the more
practical elements of education. I
really like that aspect of Coventry
and that’s why I’m really happy to
help them. Job experience is a really
 evolve development

Pragmatism and common

sense are what Johnson
Matthey’s CEO Neil Carson
(Engineering, 1979) believes
are essential business tools

valuable thing,” said Neil who also

believes universities have a role to
play in supporting business with
Research and Development (R&D).
It is an area that is the lifeblood of
Johnson Matthey – especially in its
role with the car industry and the
move towards fuel cell technology.
“We’ve been putting at least £10m
a year into fuel cells for the last 20
years and advancing the science
because we recognise that one
day the internal combustion engine
will be used less and batteries and
fuel cell vehicles will be used much
more. We’re starting to make some
sales of our fuel cell catalysts and
we see that as a good long term
growth prospect for our business.
You’ve got to be first, you’ve got to
be ahead of the competition.” said “Practical, pragmatic, common
Neil, who still finds the company as
exciting as when he first started over
sense - these are skills that are
30 years ago.
“We’ve just done a 10-year plan
essential in business.”
for the business and we’re looking at
lots of new products,” said Neil. “I’ve
got a brilliant job. I’m in a position
where we can make things happen.”

33
 events
evolve events

reunions
alumni events
what’s on
A round-up of reunions and events that have been happening on campus
and across the UK. Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni/events to keep
up to date online with future and past events

Reunited overseas
R
eunions have been taking
place all over the world in
the last few months with
graduates enjoying getting back
together in Nigeria, China and
Hong Kong.
In Nigeria, more than 50 people
Reunited for gathered together for an event in
President of Coventry University’s
Nigerian Alumni Society Anthony
Ajibosin said: “It was an exciting
event, we were able to establish
and cement relationships.”
In Beijing, around 30 alumni
attended an event called an ‘Evening
with the VC.’ It was an opportunity

40th birthday the city of Lagos. The networking

event included speeches from
for alumni to hear from the Vice
Chancellor Madeleine Atkins and

F ive graduates who played Coventry University’s Regional network with other graduates.
together in the University Manager, Africa & Middle East, It was a smaller event in Hong
football team reunited on campus Tim Hunt (below left) as well Kong where Sarah Jephcott from the
in February for one former team as a talk from graduate Olabisi International Office discussed ways the
mate’s 40th birthday. Sotinwa (Economics, 1997). University could help alumni with their
The group of friends lived and Tim told alumni and Nigerian careers. Sarah said: “It was a great
played together in Coventry from dignitaries from the education evening. Everyone was keen to get
1988 to 1991 and have met up and financial industries about the involved in events in the future.”
regularly since graduating. This developments at the University –
year, it was the wife of Kevin Contact alumni@coventry.ac.uk
including the opening of the new for more information about
Stanford (Mathematics) that
London Campus. international reunions.
instigated the reunion in Coventry
as a surprise for his 40th birthday.
Andy Gabe (Communication
Studies), Scott Moore (Economics),
Alastair Sellar (Modern Studies)
and Sid Khan (Computer Science)
all waited in the Lloyds pub in
Coventry to surprise Kevin.
“A lot had changed,” said Andy
who now runs his own travel
company Absolute Escapes. “The
Colin Campbell looked different and
the SU isn’t the same one. Kevin
was very surprised and we had a
brilliant time.”
If you would like to arrange
a reunion back in Coventry
or further afield contact Kristina
Anders on alumni@coventry.ac.uk.

34 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
Sports day
fun
A
lumni thrashed the students
at the annual Sports Day in
April where over 200 people
joined in the fun back at
Coventry’s sporting venues.
Alumni and student teams from
cricket, rugby, athletics, men’s and
women’s hockey, men’s and women’s football
and badminton fought it out to see who would
be crowned the 2010 winners.
Alumni won in all of their matches apart from
the athletics and the men’s football team who
lost to the students in a decider game.
The annual event has grown in popularity every
year – attracting sporting graduates back to
play with their old teams in an effort to beat their
student counterparts. Richard Foulkes (Business
and Finance, 2007) said coming back was about
reuniting with
old team mates
as well as
playing sport.
“This is the
second time
I’ve come
back. It’s a
good laugh, a
good time to see the guys again, to have a drink
together and of course play sport – it’s brilliant.
It’s what you go to University for and it’s good to
carry it on,” said Richard who is now a Business
Manager with the anti-virus company Kaspersky,
based in Chesterfield.
After a day of playing in the sunshine, the
sports teams congregated in Bar 54 in the
Students’ Union for food and the official awards
ceremony. The Cheerleaders also performed a
routine on the stage for everyone.
Everyone received medals for taking part, and
the alumni captains got to hold up the shield for
2010. Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni and click
on events to see more photos and news.
The next Sports Day takes place on
Saturday 4 May 2011. Don’t miss out –
book your place by contacting Kristina Anders
on alumni@coventry.ac.uk.
35
 what’son
evolve events
Book yourself in for any of the events happening on and off campus.Visit
www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni/events for the most up to date information
October
26 October
Organisational Behaviour
As part of the Meet the Business Prof
series, Prof. Jon Billsberry speaks.
Time: 1pm
Place: William Morris Building
31 October
Spooky Ghost Tour of Coventry
Family Halloween event, children
welcome. Price: adults £5 and
children up to 13 years £2.50
Time: From 4pm until 6.30pm
Place: Alan Berry Building
November
2 November
Automotive Business
Prof Tom Donnelly talks in the Meet
the Business Prof series.
Time: 1pm
Place: William Morris Building
3 November
Local Radio is fun!
A talk from Tom Reeves (Mercia FM)
and Mark Powlett (BBC C&W – TBC).
Time: 1pm
Place: Ellen Terry Building
4 November
C4:Home of Quality News/
Current Affairs
Dorothy Byrne Head of News/CA
Channel Four TV.
Time: 1pm
Place: Ellen Terry Building
10 November
Building Meerkat Manor
Mark Wild (Animal Planet) talks.
Time: 1pm
Place: Ellen Terry Building
36 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
11 November 27 November
My life is one long 1985 Geographers Reunion
documentary Celebrating 25 years since graduation
Listen to Paul Watson, legendary and organised by Jenny Walsby –
documentary maker. contact jenny.blacksheep@gmail.com.
Time: 1pm Time: 1pm (later 6pm)
Place: Ellen Terry Building Place: Elastic Inn (later Old
Windmill on Spon Street).
17 November
It’s just not cricket.. May
Hear from sporting Tim Lamb Former
Chief Exec England and Wales Cricket. 4 May
Time: 1pm Sports Day
Place: Ellen Terry Building Join in the annual sports day event
where alumni take on the students.
21 November Time: 12pm
Malaysian Reunion Place: Westwood Heath
Reunion for all alumni living in Malaysia.
Time: TBC 14 May
Place: Kuala Lumpur FOCUS on Law dinner
Join fellow law graduates for an
26 November evening of fine dining in a beautiful
1975 Graduation Reunion Medieval setting.
A special event for 1975 graduates. Time: 7pm
Time: 12pm Place: St Mary’s Guildhall
Place: Coventry Cathedral
Reuniting Class of 75
Calling all 1975 graduates of the Lanch
It has been thirty-five years since the class of 1975 left the Lanch and to
celebrate FOCUS is inviting them back on campus during graduation week.
The event will be held on 26 November and is a chance to meet up with old
friends and staff, and see some of the changes to the University.
There will be an afternoon graduation ceremony in Coventry Cathedral at
2.30pm, where academic achievements will be publicly recognised, followed
by a special dinner at St Mary’s Guild Hall from 7pm. As well as pre-dinner
drinks graduates will have the chance to have
photographs taken professionally with friends and
classmates as a souvenir.
Tickets for the Dinner are £35 per person and
are available online at the University’s Online Shop
or from the Alumni Office. For more information
email Kristina Anders, Alumni Relations Officer, at
alumni@coventry.ac.uk or visit the events section
of the alumni website.
WIN
A CRYSTAL
DECANTER
Enjoy a classic piece of memorabilia
from Coventry University with a
IZES
beautiful crystal, cut glass decanter. RUNNER UP PR er
THREE runn
We also have University
a Coventry
Yours to keep if you win this up pr izes of
to give aw ay. The
Goody Bag odies
issue’s competition! bags are all
fille d
ity
with
play
go
ing cards,
ivers
such as Un ns an d other
g, pe
a luggage ta few
to rekindle a
branded gifts ories.
student mem

The outside of the decanter is

engraved with the University’s
logo to remind you of student
days. It’s a beautiful memento
that could be pride of place in
your home and could even be
used the next time you have
University friends over to visit.
We also have THREE runner up
prizes of a Coventry University
Goody Bag to give away – see
right for more details.
To be in with a chance of
winning any of these great
prizes, just unscramble the
name of the famous author who
was born near to Coventry and
whom one of the University’s
buildings is named after:

EROEGG TLEIO
Please send your answer to
alumni@coventry.ac.uk or post
to Gourmet Comp, Development
Office, Coventry University, Priory
Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB by the
closing date 10 January 2011.
Terms and conditions
No cash alternative will be offered.
The editor’s decision is final.

37
 evolve benefits

Member Benefits
Benefit from your connection to the University and get discounts on useful
services listed below. Visit www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni/benefits for more
information or call the alumni team on +44 (0) 24 7688 8589

leisure
Up to 55% off the UK's top attractions, such as The Alton Towers Resort,
Chessington World of Adventures, LEGOLAND® Windsor and LEGOLAND®
Discovery Centre Manchester, Madame Tussauds London, the Dungeons, SEA LIFE
centres & Sanctuaries, THORPE PARK and Warwick Castle. Call +44 (0) 871 222
4001 and quote Alumni along with the date of your visit.

Exclusive Open Fairways Offer – save up to 50% on your green fees at over 1800 golf
courses around the world with the Open Fairways Privilege Card. Join today for only £59
and start saving. Log onto www.openfairways.com/joinnow or call +44 (0) 28 9039 3990,
quote offer code COV10.

Enjoy 2-for-1 meals or 25% off your bill – including drinks – at thousands of UK restaurants
with the Gourmet Society Dining Card. Fantastic discounts at over 4,000 leading restaurants
across the country. Annual subscription usually costs £53.50, but FOCUS members can
join for just £27.95 and get two months extra FREE. Visit www.gourmetsociety.co.uk and
click JOIN NOW using the promotional code: COV or you can join by phone by calling
+44 (0) 800 043 1978 and quoting the same code.

transport
Save up to 10% on car and van hire with Europcar. To make a reservation please call
+44 (0) 871 384 1082 and quote 50359650. This discount applies to all hires taken
in the UK and includes cars, vans and prestige vehicles.

Save up to 30% on AA Membership at enrolment and 10% at renewal* from the

UK’s No. 1 choice for breakdown cover.
Call + 44 (0) 800 048 0075 and quote reference Coventry 627.
*Terms and conditions apply. Please ask for full details when calling.

Save 35% on RAC Breakdown Membership for you and your immediate family at
enrolment.* Call +44 (0) 800 581 077 and quote GE0542.
*Terms and conditions apply. Please ask for full details when calling.

Up to 10% discount on advanced bookings for airport parking and airport hotels
in the UK. Visit www.parking4less.co.uk/alumni or call +44 (0) 871 360 2131 and
quote WY705.

38 www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
 evolve benefits

holidays
Stay in the four-star luxury of the Ramada Hotel in Coventry – Gold Award Winner of
the 2008 Godiva Award for “Best Hotel” in Coventry and Warwickshire. Discounted
rates start at £49 for bed and breakfast. Call +44 (0) 24 7623 8110 and quote
Coventry University Rate (or call the alumni office for larger group bookings).

Save 10% on a holiday with cottages4you. There are 14,000 properties throughout
the UK, Ireland, France and overseas. Visit www.cottages-4-you.co.uk/coventry or
call +44 (0) 845 268 1282 and quote ALUM10 when booking.

university offers
• Discounted Library membership – only £20 per year.
Call the alumni office for more info on +44 (0) 24 7688 8589

• University Sports Centre – for discounts on full to basic membership,

ask at the Centre. Call +44 024 7679 5992 for more information

• Associate membership of the Students’ Union – call the SU on

+44 (0) 24 7679 5200 for more information

• Careers advice and graduate vacancies, see www.coventry.ac.uk/cu/careers

or email careers.ss@coventry.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 24 7615 2525

• Business start-up support from the Insitiute of Applied Entrepreneurship (IAE).

Text 60777 IAE or call +44 (0) 24 7623 6001

• Join Coventry University Wine Club – call +44 (0) 24 7688 8161

evolve At Your Service

Autumn 2010

The magazine for Friends of Coventry University

graduate
28 As a Friend of Coventry University, your membership includes:
updates
Hot off
the press
How student media has
• evolve – the bi-annual alumni magazine
• Member only website at www.coventry.ac.uk/alumni
changed since the sixties

Age concern
The University’s innovative
ideas for supporting an

• A monthly e-newsletter
ageing society

win
a University
crystal decante
or one of THREE
goody bags!
r

Drawn • Invitations to reunions and events

to success How Graphic Design graduate
Alison Snowden’s love of the
underdog earned her an Oscar
• Free find-a-friend scheme to help trace old friends
• Free live@edu email address.

39
The University
Gift Shop e
Round Crystal Paperweight
Coventry University’s Book

Cuff Links
Mini Cut Vase

Satin Notepad and Mirror

Tankard

Business Card Case

Graduation Bear
Champagne Flutes

Remember your student days with pride and buy special souvenirs
branded with the University name or logo.
It’s now even easier to choose from our selection of high quality goods by shopping online:

www.coventry.ac.uk/onlinestore
If you wish to make purchases by mail order please contact Jackie Walsh, Alan Berry Reception,
Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB. Telephone 024 7688 8774 or e-mail
jackie.walsh@coventry.ac.uk for further details.

Please note: refunds are only available where goods are faulty, statutory legal rights are not affected. Goods will be delivered within 21 days of receipt
of order. If you are not fully satisfied, goods may be returned within seven days for a full refund. Prices are valid until December 2010.