News / University of Bristol
David Attenborough honoured at inaugural Bristol Uni alumni awards
A recent University of Bristol graduate who founded the Bristol BME Powerlist was honoured at a ceremony in London which also featured the world’s biggest star of wildlife broadcasting.
The University of Bristol Alumni Awards celebrated the exceptional achievements of the university’s alumni.
Chanté Joseph, who founded the Bristol BME Powelist which was published in 2018 in association with Bristol24/7 was given the Vice Chancellor’s Award for her work championing the importance of diversity and equality.
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Sir David Attenborough has a long association with Bristol through his work with the BBC Natural History Unit on Whiteladies Road, which was honoured by the university awarding him an honorary degree in 1977.
He has subsequently worked with Bristol academics for his television series, given talks at the university and opened its £56.5m Life Sciences Building in 2014.
The University of Bristol Alumni Awards celebrated the exceptional achievements of the university’s alumni
Other winners included The Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and gold medal-winning netball player Eboni Usoro-Brown.
The 10 winners represent national and international success in science, literature, business, sport, social justice, public health, journalism and broadcasting.
Professor Hugh Brady, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, said: “There’s no one more deserving of a Lifetime Achievement award than Sir David Attenborough.
“Throughout his incredible career, he has educated, guided and inspired generations to care about our planet – achievements which are synonymous with our own mission at Bristol.
“All the pioneers, innovators and leaders we’ve celebrated through these awards are inspiring role models for our students and we’re thrilled to honour them all at our inaugural Alumni Awards.”
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Here is the full list of winners:
Alumni Award for Arts and Media: Julia Donaldson CBE (BA 1970, Hon DLitt 2011)
One of the UK’s best-loved children’s authors, famed for writing favourites such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man.
Alumni Award for Achievement in Sport: Eboni Usoro-Brown (LLD 2009, MSc 2011)
Part of the England team who won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She made her international debut for England in 2008 while studying as an undergraduate.
Alumni Award for Business and Industry: Nigel Wray (BSc 1970, Hon LLD 2005)
The director of more than 50 companies, as well as the owner of Saracens rugby club, has been described as “Britain’s most successful living investor”.
Alumni Award for Community Impact: Annie Hudson (BSc 1972, Cert 1997)
A prominent social care leader in the UK, who has made a significant impact through her previous role as Director of Children’s Services in Bristol and now at the London Borough of Lambeth.
Alumni Award for Innovation and Enterprise: Dr Harry Destecroix (PhD 2014)
Co-founded university spin-out company Ziylo while studying for his PhD, helping to develop a glucose binding molecule which brings genuine hope to diabetes patients of a ground-breaking treatment. He has also established Unit DX, a science incubator.
Alumni Award for International Impact: Andrew Sheng (BSc 1989)
He has had many achievements in global finance which have been acknowledged and recognised around the world. In 2013, Time Magazine named him as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
University of Bristol Friends and Supporters Award
John Rutley (Hon LLD 2013)
The community sports programme was co-developed and personally funded by Dr Rutley to benefit young people across the city, alongside University of Bristol students. Since its inception, in excess of 6,000 children have taken part in the annual Bristol Festival of School Sport and the programme has also helped more than 500 University of Bristol students gain nationally-recognised coaching and leadership qualifications.
Alumni Award for Transformative Philanthropy: Hugh Sloane (BSc 1977)
Co-created the Sloane Robinson Foundation and made a commitment to support the advancement of the education of the public. In 2017, he and his Foundation gave a landmark gift of £10m in support of the new Temple Quarter Enterprise campus – the largest philanthropic gift from an individual in the history of the university.
Vice Chancellor’s Award: Chanté Joseph (BSc 2018)
Since graduating, she has written for numerous high-profile publications and has her own website with commentary on political and cultural issues.
Read more:
My Bristol Favourites: Chanté Joseph
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