Horizon Autumn.indd - Staffordshire University

horizon
Spring 2008
www.staffs.ac.uk/alumni

contents
Regulars
Page 3
Page 23
Page 24
Page 29
in the news
careers and employability
graduate profiles
enterprise and commercial development
Features
page 6 page 11
Page 6 vivid - Arts, Media and Design show 2007
Page 11
graduation ‘class of 2007’ special
page 24
Edited by
Laura Perrins
Editorial by
Richard Lakin
Judy O’Brien
Sam Schofield
Deryck Wilson
Photography by
Albert Bowyer
Horace Wetton
Designed by
Richard Lovatt
Horizon is published by Graduate Relations. Any views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily of the University.
If you have a story that you would like us to include please contact us on t: 01782 294942 or e: graduate.relations@staffs.ac.uk
Have you moved or changed your name? If so, you can now update your details online at: www.staffs.ac.uk/alumni

in the news
Serim’s success at Webby Awards
A funky and informative website, designed to introduce
Staffordshire to potential international students, was shortlisted
for the prestigious Webby Awards.
The site He!!o Staffordshire (www.serim.me.uk/hellostaffs) was
designed by Interactive Multimedia graduate Serim Abboushi,
as part of her final year project. She was the only UK University
student in the competition. Serim was one of three students
short-listed in the internet’s answer to the Oscars and faced
stiff competition from the University of Miami and the Columbia
University Graduate School of Journalism.
The Webby’s are the leading international awards that honour
excellence on the internet. Established in 1996 the awards are
presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and
Sciences. Serim’s colourful and information packed site was
designed in response to her own experiences as an international
student coming into the area to study. She said: “When I was
thinking about coming to England to take my degree, I wasn’t at
all sure where to go or what to expect.”
“It wasn’t until I came to Staffs on an open day during my gap
year that I realised how much Staffordshire has to offer and what
a good mix of countryside and city life there is here. When my
Lecturer, Missy Price, suggested doing a recruitment based site
for the faculty for my final year project, I thought it would be great
to give international students the chance to get a taste of what
university life in Staffordshire can really be like.” The tailor-made
website also gives students a guided tour of the Uni campuses
and the surrounding areas and information and advice on
socialising, the community, shopping, nature, cuisine and
other stuff.
Its unique design includes cultural references to all seven
languages used on the site, with icons, symbols and images
changing depending on the chosen language. Each language
version of the site has a customised design that is specifically
tailored, so for example a cow icon in the English site becomes
a camel in the Arabic version and a panda in the Chinese. These
designs create a distinctive atmospheric feeling and a personal
experience. Serim’s site was the only British university entry in
the competition and was also the only solo project to have been
short-listed. She said: “As it was being designed for the Faculty
of Arts Media and Design, I wanted the site to stand out and look
fun with lots of collage, quirky images and bright colours.”
thanks again
When we removed the alumni membership fee some
members opted to leave their standing orders in place as
a voluntary contribution with all funds received going to
our Disabled Students’ Appeal Fund. Since then we have
been overwhelmed with your generosity, with £4,232
donated last year alone, contributing to an overall total
exceeding £10,000.
These donations are already helping students with disabilities
to secure funding and gain access to equipment not otherwise
available to them. Last year, for example, the fund helped the
Students’ Union buy a number of used wheelchairs, enabling
more disabled students to participate in sports activities.
One of the beneficiaries is canoeist Dan Hopwood, who
required a specially adapted seat to allow him to compete at
the highest level. Having secured the equipment, Dan took part
in the Canoeing World Sprint Championships in New Zealand.
You will be delighted to hear that Dan and his team won the
gold medal – and he continues to use the seat for his ongoing
rowing activities.
Congratulations to Dan and a huge thank you to everyone who
continues to support this wonderful cause with their voluntary
alumni donations.
3

in the news
Sam’s in the frame
A Film Production Technology graduate worked alongside
Judi Dench and Michael Gambon in a hit BBC drama, watched
by nearly eight million viewers. Sam Smithard, from Shipstonon-Stour
in Warwickshire, landed a job as a camera assistant
on ‘Cranford’, a five-part period drama broadcast on Sunday
evenings on BBC One.
Sam’s job involves being responsible for the maintenance and care
of the cameras. He assists the camera operator by preparing the
equipment, marking lenses, moving monitors and connecting wires.
Sam said “My course helped me with the technology and video side
of things and I have learnt a lot on the job.”
‘Cranford’, based on three Elizabeth Gaskell novels, is set in an 1840s
small Cheshire town on the cusp of change. Viewers follow the small
absurdities and major tragedies in the lives of the people of Cranford
during one extraordinary year.
Sam has also worked on a feature-length film for TV, ‘Ballet Shoes’,
a Granada production for BBC One about three orphans, set in the
1930s. The programme, starring Victoria Wood and Harry Potter’s
Emma Watson, was broadcast late last year.
He has also helped to produce TV adverts for Playstation, BBC
“idents” (station or channel identities) and music videos, most
recently for Shayne Ward’s latest single, ‘Breathless’.
graduates set tills ringing
Three enterprising graduates are setting cash tills ringing across
Staffordshire with their new computer business. Company directors
Vikesh Patel, Peter Kinder and Guy Powell set up Delta Retail
Solutions while studying for their BSc(Hons) in Computing Science
at Staffs.
The trio graduated in July and have since been working hard on
developing software systems for smaller retail outlets from their
base in Stafford. The Electronic Point of Sale System (EPOS) offers
a tailored software solution to match the individual needs of each
shopkeeper. The company has already installed systems in a number
of stores in Staffordshire, including Tollgate News in Shelton.
Delta Retail Solutions was set up with assistance from Staffordshire
University’s Enterprise Fellowship Scheme (EFS). EFS assist graduate
start-up businesses with training, mentoring, office space and access
to an £8,500 grant.
Visit www.delta-retail.co.uk for further information.
Director Vikesh Patel, 22, said the company was able to tailor systems
to the needs of each store owner. The package allows store owners
to manage their stock, provide the items customers want, follow
seasonal patterns, prevent fraud and theft, and develop staff training.
“There are so many advantages to the system,” he said. “Store
owners can accurately monitor their customers’ needs and save a
great deal of money preventing fraud and theft.” The system also
means that store owners can add further equipment as their business
grows without needing an overhaul of the whole system.
4

in the news
sign up for online updates
Keep up-to-date with what’s happening at Staffs Uni with our
brand new e-communications service.
You’ll get all the latest news, view details on up and coming events
- not to mention regular bulletins on what fellow Staffs graduates like
you are getting up to in the big wide world.
All we need from you is a valid email address and that’s it - you’re all
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Email us at graduate.relations@staffs.ac.uk, update your details at
www.staffs.ac.uk/alumni or fill in the carrier that is enclosed with this
copy of Horizon and we’ll add your email address to our database.
More than 1,000 alumni have signed up to receive the
e-communications from us already but we want to reach as many
people as possible – so if you have any friends that are missing out
and would like to be added to the list, please ask them to contact us
via the methods above.
time for a change?
The University’s website is currently undergoing an exciting
revamp for 2008.
You can now keep up-to-date with all the news and events to come
out of Staffordshire University from the comfort of your computer,
thanks to our brand new corporate website.
The new site takes a fresh look at ways in which we can reach our
target audiences. It is more accessible with many more interactive
features. The site will be regularly updated with all the latest lead
stories, an up-to-date events calendar, faculty information and news
from all areas of the University.
You will be able to keep abreast of with all the news and events from
your computer with a rolling news service, as well as course and
campus information.
As part of this re-launch the alumni website has also been
re-designed. Horizon is now available to read online and we have
launched a new alumni gallery. Visit us at www.staffs.ac.uk/alumni
5

art and design

art and design
vivid
Live bedroom auctions, grass roots creations
and towering talent
“Be inclusive: design for the young and you exclude the elderly,
design for the elderly and you include the young,” said honorary
graduate and product designer Robin Levien while addressing
students at the opening of ‘Vivid’.
Robin, who enjoys a long relationship with Staffordshire University,
also imparted other heartfelt advice to the artists and designers
who were exhibiting their work as part of the annual Arts, Media
and Design show 2007. “Stay true to your beliefs and be adaptable
because the world is changing very fast,” added Robin, who urged
students to have fun and to keep their eye on the ball when it comes
to the sustainability agenda.
for the rest of the opening evening. Cara said: “I have plans about
what I want to do but I’m not sure about where I’ll end up and so
my work’s really about my move from university. My bedrooms have
always been very stylised as it’s the one place I can make my own,
but as well as being a selection of items in a space, I wanted my
installation to work as a performance event.”
After graduating Cara intends to travel Europe and to spend time
teaching English in Barcelona. She feels her final work will assist her
in achieving her short term aims. She added: “I can’t take everything
everywhere and I’m not going to have a permanent place to live and
only have a small car. I also need money to do what I want to do in the
future.”
Meanwhile, fellow fine artist Chris Parkes home-grown installation was
geared around the theme of observation and had something of the
crime scene about it – possibly influenced by his father who works as
a police Chief Constable. Chris grew a lawn from seed under his bed
and in assorted grow bags at the family home. He then painstakingly
filmed its growth and documented its progress in a film that could be
viewed as part of his two room installation.
As an extra dimension, observers of his work - which takes on a
macabre element through the casual placing of a child’s toy - became
the observed when a covert camera was used to film their movements
as they viewed his work. Chris said: “People can watch themselves
entering and leaving. The adjoining room says something both about
the mundane and the obsessive nature of observation.”
Vice-Chancellor Professor Christine King and Faculty Dean Ann Parry
also took turns to congratulate the students and staff for their ‘brilliant
work’. Professor King said: “There is nobody in the world like our Art,
Design and Media students and what a fantastic staff - whose energy
comes from their leadership and their incredible creativity.” Dean
Ann Parry thanked staff for their part in making the show happen and
students for choosing Staffs for their degree studies.
A live auction of a fine art student’s worldly possessions formed the
centrepiece of the show’s opening night. For her final year’s work fine
artist Cara Lockley, 21, recreated her bedroom within a vacant shop
site on the university’s Stoke campus and itemised each of the 642
items which went on sale for the duration of the show.
She also secured the services of professional auctioneer Bruce Daniel
of Daniel and Hulme, who put his selling skills into full swing, selling
all ten items on the itinerary within half an hour and setting the scene
The human ego and the self importance of artists was the theme for
Paul Fulton’s installation, Two Towers. The towers represented the
male and female struggle for superiority within a relationship, with
both towers verbally contesting and affirming each others importance
with their insistent cries of “Me, me, me” and “You, you, you”.
Fine Art student Paul, 32, said: “The original inspiration for the piece
was my own ideas of self importance as an artist, being mirrored
upon the observations of others. I feel my work to be self analytical
and through this analysis I discover truths regarding the world we live
in.” Paul originally worked in fabrication and always had an interest
in painting and the creative arts, so decided to explore this talent at
university, using his building skills within his artwork.
His Two Towers are imposing figures in the show, with the female
‘You’ tower measuring 18ft by 6ft, and the male ‘I’ tower measuring
15ft by 6ft, resembling the ultimate boy’s retreat and showing the
female psyche feeding the male addiction of his own ego, ultimately
becoming the dominant figure in the relationship.
7

art and design
rough ride ends in success
Animation student Ed Kopczyk overcame personal tragedy
during his studies to finally finish his degree after five long
years of hard work and worry. Ed, 24, from Derby, began a year
foundation course in 2002 before starting his three-year degree.
He had the length of his studies further increased when he felt he
had to re-take a year after experiencing the shock of losing two
close family members during his second year at uni.
Ed has already been making money by using flash animation skills
learnt over the years to build web sites for customers in his spare time,
working under the name of Edamation Productions.
For more information about Edamation Productions, please contact Ed
Kopczyk at: ed@edamation.co.uk.
He said: “It has been a very rough ride for me as I lost both my
grandad and then my father unexpectedly during my second year
and I had to pick myself up and re-do the year to make sure it was
the best work that I could possibly produce. It threw me off course for
quite a while but I knew I had to pull myself together and put all of
my efforts into re-doing the work to the best of my abilities.
“I am really pleased to have finally made it to the finish and I would
like to think that I have made them both proud with all my hard work.
I know that they would have been very proud to see me graduate and
start a career.”
Ed’s final project - The Sausage Beast - is adapted from a children’s
poem that was written by his girlfriend. It is a dark fairy tale about a
genetically modified sausage-shaped animal that gives birth to
shop-ready offspring, who eventually seek terrible revenge for their
poor treatment.
He lists Tim Burton and Danny Elfman as big influences on his work
and would eventually like to re-make The Sausage Beast in
stop-motion animation, producing several more instalments
inspired by his girlfriend’s poetry as a children’s TV series.
diverse directing debut
Diversity is a recurring theme in many of Natasha Luchmun’s films
and her film at Vivid was no different. Influenced by the Zadie Smith
novel White Teeth, Natasha’s film, Just What the Doctor Ordered,
follows a woman on a life changing trip after meeting a palm reader.
Natasha, a 21-year-old Media Production student from London, said:
“The original idea was that a black woman and a white woman would
meet. After talking to one another they come to the conclusion that
everyone goes through the same trials and tribulations regardless of
colour or race. It’s a comedy drama that expresses how the smallest
things can make you happy.”
Natasha has nothing but praise for her lecturers, the course and the
way it has prepared her for getting a job in the industry. She said:
“The course really suited me because I was looking for something
really practical that didn’t put any boundaries on my creativity. I
found that Media Production really did that for me. My three years
have been a fantastic experience and I have developed my skills to
grow into a more confident person.”
“Thanks to the course, I have a better knowledge of the film
industry as you are taught the whole production process. Ideally
I’d like to move back to London and be involved in producing
or casting and would eventually like to start my own production
company in the future.”
8

art and design
Giselle’s green designs
Planet friendly fashions for the future
London’s calling for Surface Pattern Design student Giselle
Meyer, who made her way to Islington to exhibit in the acclaimed
graduate design show, New Designers 2007.
Giselle, 37, saw the exhibition as a chance to get noticed by the
industry and to find some work experience, enabling her to set up her
own green fashion and furnishings business, an important aspect to
her work.
She said: “I always try to use recycled material in my designs and so I
used a piece of furniture that is over 100 years old for my final piece,
giving an old chaise longue a new lease of life while minimising the
environmental impact.
“This is an important aspect to my work and when I set up my
company I want to use canal barges for transportation and even horse
and carriage, making sure the business is as green as possible.
“I was sponsored by Neville Johns at Furniture Repairs, Furniture
Resales and Restoration, who helped me to get my digitally printed
material onto the piece affordably. Even though I am creative and
design and make my own clothes, I never used to like drawing. The
course made me draw and get new confidence in my designs, so that
I can now combine visual influences from my life and my travels into
my work.”
For more information about her work and New Designers, contact
Giselle at pixigigi1970@yahoo.co.uk.
9

art and design
breakfast in bed ‘with love’
Breakfast in Bed is the collection created by Ashley Thomas, Surface
Pattern Design. Bolster cushions and a full ceramics set have been
given exciting new designs focusing on contemporary illustrations
of things Ashley “loves.”
Ashley, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, said: “I wanted it to be
really personal. About everything I really love in life such as pets
and things like that. I love to mix things up; even the most mundane
objects can become surprising. I like to make people smile as
everyday life is too serious.”
A trip to Victoria Albert Museum in London to see a surrealism
exhibition was a big inspiration for the collection which has now
featured in a prominent textile design magazine called Selvedge. The
article, called Teachers Pet, was a look at the UK’s best design courses
and graduates.
Ashley also showcased her work at the New Designers Exhibition,
which hosts thousands of graduates displaying their work to the
industry, public and media.
“It’s a really good course and I love it really. The teachers and
lecturers are great and I’m really sad to leave. Next I am hoping to be
a freelance designer,” she said.
local characters come to life
Mature Ceramics student Julie Graddon is getting ready for a
more challenging and creative career, as she plans to open a
home studio and start running her own ceramics business
part-time.
Julie, 53, from Burntwood, decided to go to university once her own
children had graduated. She thought it would be the natural time to
begin studying and chose to specialise in ceramics after trying various
other art forms and finding she had a natural flair for ceramic design.
She said: “I come from a financial and business background so the
biggest initial challenge was to use a different thought process, in
terms of art and design.
She has already been offered a part-time job and has her own
workshop at home, giving her the time, income and resources to
create individual ceramics for sale.
For more information about Julie Graddon’s ceramics, email
c.graddon@virgin.net.
“There is a real mix of people on the course who share a passion for
ceramics, so anyone contemplating a ceramics degree should just
come along to Staffs Uni and do it. The ongoing support is here for
everyone to be successful.”
Julie’s final project is a series of detailed caricatures, designed while
sitting in Hanley Park observing some of the local characters. They are
full of individuality and have a story to tell behind their facial features,
which Julie tries to bring out in her figurative ceramics. She has
also used her talents to make bone china favour boxes for her son’s
wedding and now plans to carry on with her creative design to make
a career.
10

Graduation ‘Class of 2007’ special

graduation news

graduation news
The Power
and the glory
World champ Phil joins stars on the
oche for honorary awards
Darts legend Phil, ‘The Power’ Taylor, remembered his schooldays
in Burslem as he picked up an honorary doctorate. Thirteen times
World Champion, Taylor, told the crowd he had left school at
15 and held down a number of jobs to make ends meet, while
perfecting his darts action.
The young Phil told a teacher he wanted to be an engineer. “The
teacher said I had no chance because I was rubbish. So I thought
‘right then.’ When I started winning at darts I bought a Jaguar and
drove up and down past the school tooting the horn to make sure
he knew.” Taylor joked with the front rows, asking if he could now be
admitted to the Students’ Union bar.
He promised to return to work on his fitness - a programme devised
by Staffordshire University’s Sports Department - and pledged to
capture his title back from Dutchman Raymond van Barneveld. Taylor
was chosen for his achievement in sport and told the packed hall of
students they had to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve
their dreams.
“Thank you very much for making one of my dreams come true.”
Said BBC Midlands Today presenter Ashley Blake, as he accepted
his honorary degree for services to journalism. “I’d like to thank the
Uni, the VC and all of the students for sharing the day with me. Staffs
University provides one of the best learning experiences and I’ve had
a good relationship with them for a number of years. “Thank you very
much indeed.” He said.
For championing her race relations role as part of Staffordshire
Police, Loleita Higgins (pictured right) has been made a Doctor
of Staffordshire University. Loleita, who was accompanied by her
premiership footballer son, Anthony Gardner, said she is hoping
to use the honorary doctorate as a means of helping her improve
tolerance in the community.
She added: “Staffordshire and Stoke is a very diverse community and
it’s my belief that education is the key to tolerance. This honorary
degree means a great deal to me and I hope it will help me continue
my work. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be standing
here today. So thank you for this award.”
Other Honorary Doctorates went to:
Jonathon Barnbrook
Paul Bishop
Ashley Blake
Patrick Burns
Michael Cashman MEP
Shami Chakrabarti
Ann Daniels
Paul Henshall
Oliver James
Sir Bert Massie CBE
John M Mohin
Nina Nannar
Elizabeth Parker
Joan Walley MP
Michael Wood
13

graduation news
ambition for Amanda
Ceramics degree opens doors
An Ambition’s for Women course gave one busy mum the
confidence to change her life and learn more new skills than she
ever thought possible. Amanda Bowles, 39, from Newcastle, first
began formal training with pottery giant Wedgwood in 1984,
before progressing to Portmeirion to become a Lithographer and
Hand Painter.
Amanda stopped working to have a family and so joined the
Ambitions for Women course at Staffs Uni, which is designed for
women who have had a break from employment. She said: “I’m still in
touch with people on the course and I learned such a lot as they were
from all different backgrounds with shared experiences.
“I did a 12 week placement in a voluntary post for Stoke-on-Trent
Council where I was involved with other artists and I decided that
I needed a degree in Fine Art, so to get my foot in the door some
other students suggested that I apply to do a Foundation course.
While on the course it became clear that ceramics was my destiny
and so I started a three-year ceramics degree.
“It seemed a natural thing to do with my work history and though
it was very intense, it was also very enjoyable and I learnt so much
about myself. I decided to go into making specialised unique designs
and am looking for a design-based job at the moment, as I thought it
would make a nice progression in my career to go back as a designer.
“It makes it difficult having a young family and trying to fit everything
in can be extremely stressful, balancing a young child and studying.
I was always clockwatching and rushing off on a school run but there
were also lots of positives and I have grown as a person, increased my
creativity and have become more interesting as a person.”
Amanda is currently doing a voluntary course about domestic abuse
which involves delivering a programme to children in Stoke-on-Trent
schools to get them to discuss serious issues about domestic abuse,
which she says is not relevant to design but is definitely relevant to
her journey. She would also like to do a Masters in Ceramic Design
and eventually she would like to reinvent ceramics for a modern
society and put Stoke-on-Trent back on the map.
She said: “If there is something out there that you want then you
have to go for it. I’m even going back to college to do a Maths skills
assessment, equivalent to a Maths GCSE and the one thing I have
learned from all of this studying is that if you find that you are stuck in
a dead end job and are busy looking after a family then it is never too
late, you can always go to university.”
14

graduation news
graduation news
tornado hunter
A tornado hunt is on the cards for one Geography graduate, after
finishing her course with flying colours.
Amanda Sipson, 21, has loved studying geography since a young age.
She decided to turn this passion into a prize-winning dissertation on
tornados during her final year, with her project all about the cause and
effects of tornados.
She said: “I really enjoy geography and the course and all of the
teaching staff were really amazing. I would especially like to thank
Fiona Tweed, who I would like to say a big thank you to for all of her
help during my time at the Uni. Now that I’ve finished I would really
like to go to America and chase tornados in the right environment
– it’s my passion.”
Amanda decided she would like to work in America after seeing the
film Twister. She said: “Don’t even get me started on that film! It really
makes me annoyed as it is so far from the truth about tornados and
the way they are analysed and is just very unrealistic. However, it did
make me want to go over there and do it for real and show Hollywood
how it is done!”
triumph through adversity
Law student, Kirstie Wright, 22, overcame a series of unfortunate
events before graduating with her degree and she now plans to
continue studying full-time to become a Barrister.
Kirstie had to have surgery on her arm twice at the beginning of her
university experience, before going on to break it in her second year.
She has also spent time in hospital due to problems with her kidneys,
but considers these as minor compared to everything else she has
had to contend with.
She said: “I lost my grandmother two days after Christmas this
year which was devastating and has been tough on everybody in
the family.
“My mum also had a horse-riding accident at the start of the year and
she broke her wrist and has had to have surgery on her knee as well
as head surgery. This meant I decided to move home so that I could
help her, so I have been travelling to Uni through my third year to go
to lectures.
“It’s a shame that everybody couldn’t be here to see me graduate
but I am pleased to have got to the end and am looking forward
to starting my BVC course at the College of Law and ultimately
becoming a Barrister in the future”
15

graduation news
making the headlines
Journalism graduate Katie gets a break at Signal Radio
The newest addition to the Signal Radio team is Katie Helliwell,
a Broadcast Journalism graduate who just kept annoying the
radio station’s editor with emails until she got the job. Now a
regular part of the team, reading the morning news, Katie is
hoping that the job is a stepping stone to greater things.
Katie, 21, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, said: “I just started annoying
the editor for the work placement, sending him loads of emails.
It took me a while to get through but eventually it happened and
I got the job. First I got a placement and then I started working
freelance before getting a full-time job reading the morning
bulletins.”
Starting at Signal while still studying in her final year at University,
Katie found it difficult but too good an opportunity to ignore. “I
was starting at 4.30am and working until 12 and then going into
university to finish my final dissertation. It was hard but a brilliant
opportunity that was too good to pass up and I’m still really
enjoying it” said Katie.
“Now I’m working on the Breakfast Show with all the morning
presenters which is great. I’m the breakfast broadcast journalist. I
write bulletins and read them out. I’m in contact with all the local
services trying to find stories.
“Because I work with the morning presenters, I get to join in with
that as well. Debating, commenting and sometimes joining in with
the morning games, that kind of thing. I am one of the personalities
on the show, not just the news presenter.”
Having worked with industry equipment, Katie has high praises
for the facilities and equipment at the University. She said: “The
radio newsroom at the University is very modern and a lot of the
equipment is actually better than that used at Signal which was
brilliant for learning on.”
Katie’s final dissertation was a look at anorexia in males which
was a “new angle because the female side of it was done to death.
My sister suffered from it pretty badly a few years ago so it was
something that I had been close too and something I find very
interesting. It is a very emotional subject for everyone involved
as well.
Katie’s already got her eye on the future with hopes of moving to a
television career. She said: “I’m really enjoying it at Signal but I’m
looking to move on in the near future.
“I’m a northern girl anyway so I’d like to be involved in some TV in
the North ideally because that’s the sort of thing I watched when I
was little. But you just take what you can get really.”
18

graduation news
NHS SOS!
Business and Accounting student Rebecca Warrilow, achieved a
first class honours degree, with her project that tackles problems
within the National Health Service.
Rebecca, 22, from Stoke, carried out a placement in her second
year at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital, during which, she
completed an overview of the hospital for a Uni project, looking at the
merger between the two sites and the advantages and disadvantages
and the long term effects.
She said: “I am so glad that I did it. I would say to anyone to have
a go at uni as it’s really good fun and a fantastic experience. My
experience during my work placement drove me to do well in my
third year. It’s really weird to be a graduate now but also a really good
feeling!”
award winner is making history
Andrew Chesworth changed his life when he turned his back
on work at a Curry’s distribution centre in Warrington to study
History at Staffs Uni. Andrew and his wife Katy, who is studying
Law at Staffordshire University, moved from Northwich to Stoke
to dedicate themselves to their studies.
His hard work paid off when he was awarded a first-class honours
degree in History with Sociology and the Webberley’s History Prize.
He received a first-class mark for his final year history dissertation
which was a study of ‘Indigenous Resistance to Hitler and the Nazi
Party in Germany, 1933-1945.’
Andrew now plans to continue his interest in modern history with an
MA in 20th Century History at the University of Sheffield.
As a mature student, Andrew believes that his degree at Staffordshire
University gave him more confidence to do anything he wants and
showed him how persistence and hard work can lead to a good
degree result.
Andrew’s coursework also included a history placement in his second
year at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Hanley. He undertook
oral history interviewing and some of the resulting testimony was
used in a museum exhibition about the history of Trentham Gardens.
Over the summer, Andrew will be working locally for the Staffordshire
Arts and Museum Service on an oral history project, Voices from the
Edge, covering different parts of the county of Staffordshire, with
Andrew helping to document the villages of Audley, Alstonefield
and Tutbury.
19

graduation news
red hot results for Blue Chilli
A degree in Marketing Management will be “very helpful” to
Wallapa Chansuay in the running of her award-winning restaurant.
Wallapa opened Blue Chilli, a Thai restaurant in Newcastle-under-
Lyme, during her second year of study at Staffordshire University.
She said: “Because I studied a degree in Marketing, it has been very
helpful for my business. I have learned a lot.” The restaurant is run
in partnership with her mother, brother and her fiancé and is currently
doing very well. It was voted the Best Oriental Restaurant of the Year
2007 as part of the Staffordshire Evening Sentinel’s search across
the county.
Originally from Thailand, Wallapa moved to England nine years ago
with her family and decided to come to Staffs because, “it is close to
home.” She said: “The course was very interesting. I was studying fulltime
and working full-time so it was difficult. I would come home from
University and then have to go to work in the evening. “I just wanted
to say thank you to my Lecturers who have been really helpful and I
would recommend Staffordshire University and my course.”
computing degree for coma survivor
Marathon runner, Matt Plummer, graduated with a degree in
Forensic Computing after getting back from his latest running
challenge a few days before.
He was told he may never walk again, but not only did he start
running marathons after learning to walk but he also decided to
retrain and start a degree at Staffordshire University.
In December 1996, Matt was a passenger in a serious car accident
which left him with multiple broken bones, internal injuries and in a
coma for 16 days.
However, just four years later, after rebuilding his life and learning to
walk again, Matt ran the millennium London Marathon and has now
raised more than £25,000 for various charities, including the Winged
Fellowship Trust, Whizz Kids and the Leukaemia Research Fund.
He said: “I feel passionately about these charities because I’m a
member of the Lotus 7 club which adopted Leukaemia Research
as its official charity after one of the members was diagnosed with
leukaemia. I have been trying to raise money for the Leukaemia
Research Fund since.”
Matt, from Congleton, said: “I’m going to have a well-earned rest now
I’ve finished my degree and then I’ll start looking for work. I’ve got
contacts in Canada so that could be a plan for the future. I’d like to
move across to Canada but I’d also like to keep my roots in the UK.”
20

graduation news
Yo! selector
Graduate gets to pick videos for TV
Deciding which music videos will be shown on some of the most
popular music channels on television is part of David Lucas’ new
job. Kerrang!, Magic, Q, Smash Hits, The Box, The Hits, FHM and
Kiss are all owned by Emap, a multi-platform media group with a
portfolio of television channels, magazines and radio stations. As
part of David’s job at Emap, he decides which new videos get on
TV and which are sent back to the record companies.
Having gained a degree in Music Technology at Staffordshire
University, David came across an advertisement in a music magazine
and sent off his application via email without thinking too much of it.
Two weeks later he received a reply asking him to attend an interview
where he managed to impress his future colleagues with his creative
ideas and enthusiasm for the job.
David, 21, originally from Shaftesbury in Dorset, said: “Well, I never
really used to watch the music channels funnily enough. I still don’t
really get why I got the job! “I was told I beat over 30 other people
that had applied. I did ask why it was given to me and was told
it was largely down to my creative ideas in areas such as Top 50
Countdowns, where no other interviewees had really bothered. Also,
some of the other applicants already had previous experience in the
industry, but I think they were looking for someone new, someone
they could mould into the position and bring new ideas forward.”
David was employed on a probationary contract for six weeks to
make sure he was right for the position and is now enjoying his role
at Emap. He added: “We get around 40 new videos each week,
with only a small percentage of them appropriate for airing on our
channels. We then check the chosen videos for quality issues, such
as pixilation, along with swearing and anything else that could make
them unsuitable for public viewing.
“After that we choose how often they will be rotated, by putting them
on certain playlists, such as A or B, depending on how popular they
are. The job is relatively simple, in a technical sense, so there aren’t
necessarily too many similarities with the course I did at Staffordshire
University. However, you need to be disciplined in how you organise
your day, as the average day is very busy – you have to be on the
ball!” said David.
Being in contact with big music labels, such as Sony BMG and
Universal, has its advantages according to David. He said: “There
are some good perks with the job. You get plenty of promotional
CDs which is brilliant and the opportunity to go to gigs, for free. The
record companies send things all the time because they want to alert
us to their new up-and-coming talent.”
During his time at Staffordshire University, David produced his own
music on his laptop from his halls of residence and some tracks
have seen interest from the industry. He added: “My tracks are of an
electronic origin, with those gaining interest being created on my
laptop during my third year. A well known producer in my preferred
genre gave positive feedback, in terms of a possible release on his
label, but I haven’t really had time to work at it properly.”
Now, at this early juncture in his career, David has been asked where
he sees himself in the future. “It’s difficult to say where I’ll be in the
future. As my boss pointed out to me, you make a lot of contacts
while in this industry and you could end up anywhere. I’d just like to
be in the music industry, quite possibly still at Emap but with more
responsibility.”
21

graduation DVD 2007
you’re the star
The Class of 2007 have celebrated their graduation from Staffordshire University in style and every
graduating student has a star role in this high quality film that tells the day’s story – from arrival to
graduating on stage to the post-ceremony celebrations.
• guaranteed coverage of your graduation moment
• captures all of the atmosphere and emotion of your special day
• only £11.99 (including UK package and postage)
To order your copy now, visit www.staffs.ac.uk and click on the ‘Class of 2007’ button. Then follow
the link to the Graduation 2007 DVD or go directly to www.staffs.ac.uk/graduationdvd
or alternatively call 01782 377455.
22
CREATE THE DIFFERENCE

careers and employability
gradFairZ.com
Next fair 16 June – 18 July 2008 – register now!
The Careers and Employability Service is now hosting regular online
graduate recruitment fairs under the brand of gradFairZ.com, open
to employers nationally. The next fair will take place 16 June – 18 July
2008. In addition the software is being licensed to universities
UK-wide to enable them to run their own local and regional fairs.
The last national fair, in November, attracted over 1400 students
and graduates from the whole of the UK; renewed branding and
promotion is expected to increase that number. For more
information see:
www.gradfairz.com
JobVista
New graduate job vacancy service
Looking for a graduate job? The Careers and Employability Service
has a new service offering the chance for alumni to register their job
search criteria to receive automatic e-mail notifications when we post
relevant jobs.
We currently have over 200 jobs on our database with more being
added constantly. We’re also allowing employers to input their
own vacancies which should further increase our volume of activity.
Vacancy advertising is being used to build up a searchable directory
of employers active in graduate recruitment which can also be
accessed through the website.
Register your search now and browse vacancies at:
www.staffs.ac.uk/careers/jobs
23

graduate profile

graduate profile
synchronised
swimming star
Graduate Zoe makes a splash on
the world stage
Jetting around the world for competitions, attending celebrity
parties and photo-shoots, winning awards and trophies
– synchronised swimming has given Zoe Cooper opportunities
usually reserved for the stars of more mainstream sports.
Synchronised swimming has been a love of Zoe’s since she was
eleven-years-old and she’s since won numerous international events
and is ranked in the top five nationally.
Graduating from Staffordshire University in 2005 with a first-class
degree in Psychology, Health and Exercise, Zoe went on to win a
number of medals in various competitions around the country
and overseas.
She said: “All the tutors in Sport and Health were so supportive
during my time at uni and I don’t really know how I would
have continued both my swimming and studies if I’d gone
somewhere else.”
Having become British Masters Champion and Scottish National
Champion, Zoe’s next big competition is the World Masters in Perth,
for which she is “training very hard at the moment.”
Zoe now works as a Sports Development Officer for Shropshire
County Council while continuing an 18 hour training regime as well
as coaching the regional 13/14 development squad and the Thomas
Telford School Team, which has an attendance of over 40 girls.
She said: “Synchro is an amazing sport that is not only physically
demanding but mentally challenging. I was really into dancing,
swimming and gym, so when I saw the sport on TV I knew it would be
perfect as it combines all elements of these sports.
“After joining Walsall Synchronised Swimming Club and winning the
club championships a year later, I had the bug of competing. I
have worked exceptionally hard over the years and worked my
way up, competing and collecting medals at County, District and
National level.”
Zoe recently received the Staffordshire MG Endeavour trophy from
the ASA for her GB selections and outstanding achievements in
synchronised swimming – an award that places her among top
swimmers such as Nick Gillingham, Terri Dunning and Chris Fox,
and which she was “very honoured” to receive.
Other highlights have been the World Masters Championship in
San Francisco and the Egyptian Open, both in 2006, as well as
international competitions in Norway and Sweden.
She also won a place on the Olympic synchronised swimming squad
to compete later this year but unfortunately had to turn the position
down after funding troubles and lack of sponsorship.
Being part of a top aquatic athletics agency, Aquabatix, which uses
swimmers for television, film, adverts, events and campaigns, has
given Zoe a number of TV appearances such as ITV’s “I’ll Do Anything
with Ian Wright” as well as on Midlands Today with Nick Gillingham
promoting the 2012 Olympics.
She added: “I’ve been doing lots of exciting things that have come
off the back of this, including a photo-shoot with Kelly Brooke, which
ended up in all the national papers and entertainment for an after
party for Sky’s celebrations after their success at the BAFTAs, as well
as the launch of Sky’s Diva TV and the opening of a new restaurant at
the Wynn Casino in Macau China!”
25

graduate profile
building a bright future
Job placement pays dividends as one business
graduate lands a role in house sales
David Jones, 24, from Camberley in Surrey, gained his degree
from Staffordshire University in 2006 and believes it was a life
changing experience that gave him the skills and confidence to
get him where he is today.
He said: “Business studies was something I had been interested in for
a long time because my father opened his own company and it was
something I always wanted to do. The course was four years in total
and was really good, especially the work placement in my third year,
which gave me the experience and insight into the real world
of work.”
David’s third year was spent as a sales rep for Cadbury Trebor Bassett
during which time, he visited independent traders throughout
Staffordshire carrying out van sales before moving on to promoting
and increasing store sales of Cadbury products in supermarkets such
as Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
He said: “It was a position that required a great amount of
people- skills and helped me to develop these and learn new
skills. I could never have seen myself undertaking such a role
before I entered university and the placement year that Staffordshire
University Business School recommended was a great benefit to both
me and fellow students.”
Upon returning to Staffs Uni for his fourth and final year, David
undertook a module that allowed him to set up his own business with
four fellow students. Called Oriental Charms, David’s main role in the
jewellery company was sales and operations. The exercise proved
highly successful with each partner gaining a good profit when it
came to the end and with one student deciding to continue the
company under a new name.
Following graduation and using his growing experience within the
sales industry, David has managed to land a job at Barratt Homes,
which he had to beat over 780 other applicants to win. Now in a
two-year graduate scheme at the industry leading housing
development company, David is enthusiastic about his future.
He said: “I hadn’t really thought too much about a graduate scheme
but I wanted to work for a big company so I decided to apply for the
position. I was a little surprised to get it and I think the job placement
really helped me out because all of the other applicants had done a
standard three-year degree but I already had some experience.”
David’s job involves working in the planning and development
department as well as the marketing department and working in new
development show homes.
“It’s a great opportunity and I hope to continue at Barratts after the
two-year scheme is over. Hopefully I will be working in sales in the
future, possibly running my own sales team” added David.
“Five years ago I came to university looking for personal development
and what university has done for me is superb. Not only the academic
side but socially I have developed through the various challenges and
situations the University has thrown at me. I have left Staffs Uni with
extremely happy memories, a good job and excellent prospects.”
26

graduate profile
I was the student, now
Staffs Uni is my client
You could say that Lorraine Hampson’s
relationship with Staffordshire University has
turned full-circle...
The former business student now counts her alma mater among
her clients, as Group Account Director of Rees Bradley Hepburn,
the Midlands agency responsible for much of our advertising and
media buying.
The journey from student to consultant began after Lorraine had left
school and experienced a number of short-term jobs, only to discover
that education might suit her after all.
“After school I just wanted to get a job and see more of the world.
I was interested in art and design but saw employment, rather than
education, as the best way to achieve this.
“After a while however, I became increasingly interested in marketing.
It seemed to combine creativity, which I enjoyed, with a more solid
foundation in business.”
With this in mind, Lorraine applied to Staffordshire University and
studied for an HND in Business and Finance, based in Stoke. She then
topped-up the award to a Business Administration degree with an 18
month course at Stafford:
“Having come from a work background, rather than the sixth-form,
A level route, I felt that this was the best way to get a degree,”
she said.
It was during the top-up course that Lorraine secured a placement
which was to set her on her current path:
“My tutor knew Jez Moxey, the then Chief Executive at Stoke City
Football Club, and arranged a part-time job for me there. After my
course finished I went full-time and stayed for two years, spanning
the period when the club moved from the old Victoria Ground to the
Britannia Stadium.
“It was there I came into contact with various creative agencies. This
appealed to me and I eventually joined an agency in Dudley, from
where I joined my present company in 2001.”
Since moving to Meriden-based Rees Bradley Hepburn, Lorraine has
risen through the ranks to her current director position, in which she
deals at senior level with a clutch of prestigious clients – including
Staffordshire University.
“It’s good to be working with the University again, as I have very
positive memories of my time there. It started me on the road to
where I am now and the courses I took were certainly very useful to
me. In particular, they weren’t simply theory, they were grounded in
the real world and served as a good preparation for my life back in
the working environment.”
27

graduate profile
friends re-ignited
Design duo reunite to run marketing business
Brett Hutchins, 36, and Martin Fawcett, 35, were firm friends at Uni
and both graduated from Staffs with degrees in Specialist Product
Design in 1994.
After graduating, Brett, originally from Sussex, had a job working
for Continuum. He was one of only two winners chosen at the New
Designers Exhibition, carried out various freelance projects, taught
for two semesters at Salford University and worked for the games
industry before joining bezier’s creative in-store agency, bluetouch.
Martin, originally from Hull, spent three years of summer holidays
working for a design agency in Hull, where he secured a permanent
job after graduating. Later, he went on to work for Walkers graphic
designers, where he spent six years working his way from a junior to
the Head of Creativity.
Due to a chance encounter where he bumped into Brett in a bank in
Manchester, they ended up living in the flats opposite each other in
the city centre.
In 2000, Martin took a role with bezier as Head of Creative Design for
the Bristol studio and within 12 months he met his wife, was offered
a job in the group looking at creative offerings and moved back to
Nantwich.
He now heads bluetouch where part of his job is looking after
recruitment, so when he heard Brett was looking for a job he asked
him to officially apply for the post of Head of Business Development.
Brett’s application was successful and the pair have now been working
together for the past seven months, working on projects such as the
DVD launch of ‘Night at the Museum.’
Martin said: “We both got on well when we were at Uni and we still
had a laugh together outside of work so it seemed to be a good
idea to work together. We have very similar mindsets but the most
important thing is that we can keep our business and social lives
completely separate.
“In the future I want to continue working in this way to make
Bluetouch the best success it can possibly be, which will include
recruiting graduates and giving them a chance to shine.”
Brett added: “I met Martin on the second day of my course and
though we went in different directions after graduating, with Martin
being more creative and me being more into the marketing side of
things, I think these differences really complimented each other and
now we’ve learnt to keep being mates and work mates separately, to
make a great team.
“Staffs prepared us very well. We had good tutors who had worked
in the market and people knew what they were doing. We had a
good year of people with lots of talent, but more importantly, we
had brilliant support and excellent training. Bezier is the only agency
that can stretch these learnt skills and can offer both a challenge and
excellent experience.”
28

enterprise and commercial development
Dali gets on board
£1M brainwave secures a top role for
engineering graduate
“We knew Dali was the right candidate immediately. He was very clear
about what he wanted to do and had researched the job thoroughly.”
Dali, 33, completed his first degree in China, before relocating to the
UK and completing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering in Stafford.
His engineering background, combined with a fanatical interest in
computing, made him the ideal candidate for the Tunstall-based
company.
He was unsure what to expect when he decided to take part in the
KTP project, but says it has boosted his skills. “I was a bit of a ‘techno’
when I started but now I understand financial terms and really enjoy
planning,” Dali said.
“We have made great changes and there is no going back now.”
Grenville Engineering supplies precision sheet metal fabrications to
clients including JCB and Network Rail. The work is highly specialised
and includes manufacture of parts for rail systems and fire engines.
A Staffordshire University graduate has joined the board
of a Potteries engineering firm after boosting their order
book by more than £1 million.
Bosses at Stoke-on-Trent based Grenville Engineering were
so impressed with the work of Dr Dali Dong they offered
him a position as Operations Director. Dali joined the firm
through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) at the
Beaconside campus.
Mr Fryer said he was so delighted with Dali’s work he has already
recommended the KTP scheme to other industry associates and
Grenville is to take another student from Staffordshire University.
For further information about KTPs visit www.ktponline.org.uk
or s.semple@staffs.ac.uk
KTPs are collaborations between businesses, academics and
universities allowing knowledge and expertise to be shared
with local industry.
Dali quickly set about replacing paper systems with computers
and refining and monitoring production. The project included
a massive investment in computer software and hardware, with
the installation of bar codes on the shopfloor to monitor the
exact time and cost of each job.
Company director Tony Fryer believes the project cost
Grenville Engineering around £130,000 to implement, but
will increase the firm’s orders by around £1 million in the
next five years.
Dali’s work has resulted in an extra two orders per week, with
an increase in speed and accuracy in response to quotes.
Further savings of around £500,000 have been made by refining
the quoting process and streamlining IT systems.
“We have to keep up-to-date with our competitors in the rest
of the world and Dali’s work has been vital,” he said. “We
have a complete computer system to monitor jobs from the
initial enquiry stage, through quotes and production and on to
completion.”
29

enterprise and commercial development
with a little help from my EFS...
Enterprise scheme helps graduates get ahead
in business
The EFS scheme is an eight month placement with support
ranging from a £6,000 Business Development Grant, access to a
free training scheme, mentoring and free office space, along with
lots of networking opportunities. In August, nine new fellows
began their journey on the EFS scheme, their businesses ranging
from media to creative design.
Once such fellow is Kirsty Shaw, she produces uncomplicated yet
funky lighting solutions, using vivid coloured Perspex and constructed
by employing plastic techniques in an unusual and innovative way.
The designs lend themselves to modern contemporary environments
and offer the individual an original and stylish addition to their interior
space. For more information and to see some of the designs visit:
www.kirstyshaw.co.uk
Guy Powell of UK3X, along with two business partners, provide a
range of online services, through their company, including Internet
gaming servers and web hosting. In addition, UK3X are a bespoke
software house capable of delivering high quality software solutions.
Their current work includes modular EPOS systems and web
development. For more information visit: www.uk3x.com
BackOnTrack (BoT) is a sports therapy and massage therapy clinic
offering both remedial and relaxing treatments to the public.
These therapies include manual therapies, such as massage, and
electrotherapy like ultrasound and EMS.
Steve Bateman, Director of BackOnTrack states, ‘Working closely with
clubs, leisure providers and businesses we aim to change people’s
perception of such services and increase uptake by the general public
and athletes of all levels. The aim of www.backontrackstafford.com is
‘to make sports therapy and massage therapy available to everyone.’
Some of our previous successes have been profiled in past issues of
Horizon: Jane from Picture Nation and Chris from Inspired Film and
Video – the stories can be re-read at: www.staffs.com/enterprise.
For more information on the Enterprise Fellowship Scheme,
please contact Dani Payne:
t: 01785 353809
e: dani.payne@staffs.ac.uk
www.staffs.com/enterprise
30

don’t be a stranger...
Wherever you are, we’re still here...
So update your details – then we can keep in touch
Horizon is your magazine and we want to hear your good news.
So if you have set up your own business, landed a top job, or have an interesting story to tell,
then please contact us on t: 01782 294942 or e: graduate.relations@staffs.ac.uk
CREATE THE DIFFERENCE

learn more pay less
15% off postgraduate fees
Whatever you’re planning for the future here’s something that might focus your mind.
Almost every postgraduate course at Staffordshire University is available with an impressive 15%
discount for Staffs graduates. We offer a range of innovative courses at Masters, Diploma and
Certificate levels. You’ll be learning in a dynamic and stimulating environment and taught in a
supportive and friendly style; delivering you exactly where you want to be in life and increasing your
career prospects and earning potential.
A range of Postgraduate courses is available in the following areas:
Arts
Biology
Business
Computing
Design
Economics
Engineering
Environment and Sustainability
Forensic Science
Health
Law
Management
Media
Psychology
Sport and Exercise
Social Sciences
Technology
For a full list of Postgraduate courses, get your copy of our Postgraduate Study Guide by calling
t: 0800 801 222 or visiting www.staffs.ac.uk
CREATE THE DIFFERENCE M340 RAL 4.08