headway 23

HEADWAYAlumni Magazine Issue 23

Autu

mn 2

013

SMOOTH SAILINGSolent’s Warsash Superyacht Academy expands overseas

HEADWAY | Autumn 2013

Welcome to the 23rd issue of HEADWAY, Southampton SolentUniversity’s Alumni Magazine.

It’s great to be able to share theachievements of our graduates. This year’smagazine is an innovation special, bringingyou news about the innovative and originalideas our graduates are bringing to a hugerange of industries.

You can read about Quentin Richard, a2009 business management graduate wholaunched a fair-trade shoe company, or TomFry, a 2009 animation graduate who hascreated his own independent gamesdevelopment business. Alternatively, find outhow James Hilton, Solent graduate andworld-renowned creative director, got wherehe is today.

We’ve also caught up with several formerstudents who are now enjoying their careerin a wide range of industries, frominternational business, IT and public relationsto art or the superyacht industry. We’realways on the lookout for more Solentsuccess stories, so if you’ve got somethingexciting to talk about please let us know!

It’s an exciting time for Solent, too. We’vebeen innovating ourselves, with our student-run shop Re:So going from strength tostrength and our high-performance academyhelping the next generation of UK sportingtalent switch their focus from London 2012to the upcoming Rio Olympics in 2016.

You can also head over to page eight toread about the university’s plans to changethe face of the university with our innovativenew teaching complex – kicking off amassive, multi-million pound developmentat the East Park Terrace campus.

The campus might be changing, but we’restill the same forward-looking Solent. Take alook at the Graduation 2012 highlights on

page 18 for a reminder of your owngraduation, and see what advice our honorarydoctors have got to share. If you’re temptedto take your studies further and give yourcareer its own innovative boost, you’ll finddetails of our Master’s and PhD courses onpage 17 – we’d love to have you back.

In the meantime, though, stay connected.Get in touch via Facebook or Twitter to shareyour accomplishments with your fellowgraduates, or drop us an email to let us knowhow you’re getting on. Just make sure you letus know if your career or contact detailschange, so we can keep bringing you thelatest Solent news.

Alumni Office

How to contact theAlumni Office

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

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

Facebook:/Solentgraduatenetwork

Twitter: @SolentUniAlumni

LinkedIn: Southampton Solent UniversityGraduate Network

Membership of Solent Graduate Network isfree to all graduates of Southampton SolentUniversity and its precursor institutions.

Produced by: Southampton Solent UniversityMarketing and Communications Service.

DEGREE SHOWSWELCOME HEADWAY – Southampton Solent University’s Alumni Magazine

Degree shows in both

Southampton and London gave

industry representatives and the

public the chance to view the

professional, exciting and

innovative work showcased by

Southampton Solent University

final-year students this year.Photography students exhibited both at

the university and at theprintspace inLondon, with some students’ work featuredin the Source Photographic Review, whichcelebrates emerging UK talent.

Illustration, advertising and graphicdesign students exhibited at the prestigiousD&AD New Blood event and at theConingsby Gallery in London, garnering a‘best stand in show’ nomination at D&ADand a highly positive review on the CreativeReview blog.

Students from fine art, interior design,graphic design and illustration mounted an‘Insolent Art’ exhibition in Southampton,while fashion students exhibited atGraduate Fashion Week and Free Range inLondon – as well as staging the highlysuccessful Southampton Fashion Week.

The big screen at Southampton’sHarbour Lights cinema beckoned foranimation, film and television students,while the video games developers andanimators of the future showcased theirfinal projects in the Solent media academy.Meanwhile the best student work from arange of engineering, computing andtechnical courses was recognised at theWRTI Technology and Innovation Awards.

“Degree show time has always been agreat opportunity for the university to openits doors,” said Peter Lloyd, head of theschool of art and design. “The radical ideaof taking the show to the employer ratherthan inviting the employer to the show hasresulted in a range of opportunities,publicity and real world experience.”

Autumn 2013 | HEADWAY | 1

Inside

16

this issue

23

6

18

27

25

21

2 Vice-Chancellor’s welcome

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

6 Building on successExciting plans for the East Park Terrace campus

8 Project Piola – pleasing the crowdsInnovative graduate start-up finds funding online

10 Business pods boost student enterpriseSolent support for enterprising students

11 Major Magnet conquers the worldGraduate’s mobile game wins Apple acclaim

12 A Rolls-Royce futureInnovation – the Rolls-Royce way

14 Path to success Advice from Solent’s Honorary Docs

15 Take your learning further at SolentDiscover our postgraduate opportunities

16 Graduation 2012Highlights from the ceremony

18 Noise control Solent Acoustics is making a name for itself

19 Solent innovation Excellence in teaching and research

20 A global familyYacht design at Solent

21 Smooth sailingWarsash Superyacht Academy’s new internationalpartnerships

22 Hands-on experienceSolent’s innovative new maritime training facilities

23 Creativity unleashed AKQA’s James Hilton on student creativity

24 First in fashion Solent students’ latest fashion triumphs

25 Visual magicOscar-winning VFX expert Paul Franklin

26 Solent OB truck goes high definitionStudents get their hands on the latest broadcast technology

27 Solent Sharks gain in strengthThe latest on the Solent-supported wheelchair rugby team

28 Carrying the torch How Solent’s helping keep the Olympic legacy alive

30 Where are you now?Solent alumni send us their stories

32 Events and membership news

12

As a vibrant young university, it should comeas no surprise that Solent places a premiumon innovation. We’ve always doneeverything we can to ensure our graduatesstand out from the crowd, delivering not justacademic excellence but the full package ofpersonal, practical and professional skillsthat employers are looking for.

This issue of Headway is a celebration ofinnovation – how the creativity, forward-thinking and sheer determination youdeveloped during your time here has helpedSolent graduates like Quentin Richard, JamesWarren and Tom Fry achieve success in theirchosen fields.

We are not resting on our laurels, either.We are constantly striving to provide the verylatest technology, facilities and teachingmethods to our students, from the recentadditions to our Warsash Maritime Academy’sinnovative training facilities to the excitingdevelopments planned for the East ParkTerrace campus over the next few years.

These changes do not simply represent a £70 million milestone in our estatesdevelopment; they are part of a wider masterplan for the city of Southampton, aimed atbringing investment, economic growth andjobs to the local area. Your university hasplaced itself at the forefront of the effort toreshape Southampton, with our recent Visionfor 2020 event bringing regional governmentand business together to find the best wayforward for Southampton – an example ofcivic leadership to promote growth for thecity and create local employmentopportunities for our graduates.

It’s important that you know you remain apart of the Solent community, no matter howlong it might have been since you graduated.The support we offer doesn’t end when yougraduate – our Solent Graduate Network andenterprise services continue to offer advice,employment opportunities and a useful

network of connections across a huge rangeof industries.

Meanwhile innovative programmes likeour business pods provide enterprisinggraduates with support and space to kickstarttheir business, so if you’ve got theentrepreneurial drive of Leeanna Nelson,Solent’s enterprise services could be just whatyou’re looking for.

But whether you’re interested in enterprisesupport, taking the next step in your careerwith postgraduate study, or simply staying incontact with the friends you’ve made duringyour time at Solent, we’re always happy tohear from you – and to hear about your owninnovation and successes. You’ll always have aplace at Solent, so keep in touch.

Professor Van J GoreVice-Chancellor

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

Welcome backto Sport SolentTake advantage of Sport Solent’s great range of faculties –including our state-of-the-art fitness suite and weightsroom at Sports Centre St Mary's – with gold, silver or bronzegym membership at student rates*.

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

/sportsolent

@SportSolent

• Tailor-made training programmes • Exciting fitness classes• Open to all levels of fitness

Discount watersports coursesLearn sailing, power boating, personal watercraft and kayaking at ourRYA-recognised training centre, and get 20% off public prices on allwatersports courses**.

Find our more at www.solent.ac.uk/watersports

* Solent graduates only. Offer valid from August 2013 to 31 July 2014.

** Solent graduates only. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers. Full terms and conditions apply.


Solent’s annual graduation

ceremony honours not just the

outstanding achievements of the

university’s students, but also

those whose creativity, innovation

and commitment has made a

positive difference to the world.

Recipients of the university’s

honorary awards in 2012 came

from a wide variety of

backgrounds and shared their

inspiring messages with others.

Dr Ulrich Bez, chief executive officer ofAston Martin – Honorary Doctor ofTechnology

“Graduation does not mean the end oflearning, it’s only the base. Work hard, be open-minded and be flexible.”

Fred Dinenage, broadcaster, reporter andwriter – Honorary Doctor of Media

“Whatever aspect of the business you’regoing into, you’re so lucky to be starting out.It’s a wonderful industry. I wish you as long inthe business as I’ve been and such a happytime as I’ve had.”

Lindsey Fraser, Olympian, Team GB divingcoach and director of coaching atSouthampton Diving Academy – HonoraryDoctor of Sport

“You have to be prepared to makesacrifices. What you get out of it willdefinitely be worth it.”

Trevor Horn, producer, singer, songwriterand musician – Honorary Doctor of Music

“Don’t do anything for the money, for aslong as you can. Do it for the right reasons,because it’s exciting.”

John Lloyd, comedy writer and televisionproducer – Honorary Doctor of Media

“Do not make plans. Don’t worry and expectthe unexpected. Leap and the net will appear.”

Richard Welsh, digital cinema innovator –Honorary Doctor of Technology

“You have to work hard and be passionateabout what you do, and demonstrate topeople how much you know about thesubject. Showing you are passionate is almostas important as showing what you know.”

Sir Alan Parker, film director, writer, producerand novelist – Honorary Doctor of Arts

“It is an exciting time in the film industry.Make sure you really want to do it and do itfor the right reasons. Have something youwant to say.”

Ted Polhemus, anthropologist, writer andphotographer– Honorary Doctor of Arts

“How can you get heard with everyoneshouting so loud? Even trickier, how to makemoney in an age when we are all expected tocontribute our ideas and creativity to thecommon good, gratis? At some point you haveto ask ‘what am I getting paid for this?’ This isn’tjust looking after number one – without fundingthe creative legacy of our age will be zilch.”

HONORARY NEWS

Top Left clockwise:

Trevor Horn, John

Lloyd, Fred Dinenage,

Richard Welsh, Ted

Polhemus, Ulrich Bez,

Sir Alan Parker and

Lindsey Fraser

The Honoraries

See page 14 for articles about our other 2012 Honorary Doctorates.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

4 | HEADWAY | Autumn 2013

Working with Brockenhurst College and local schools,Southampton Solent University has helped set up abranch of the Children’s University for Southampton andthe New Forest.

The Children’s University (CU) is a nationwide programmeto engage, inspire and motivate children from disadvantagedbackgrounds, or those from families who might not otherwisethink of further or higher education as an option.

In partnership with local schools, who join up voluntarily,the CU encourages children aged from 7 to 14 years (and 5and 6 year olds with their families) to develop a passion forlearning by offering them an exciting range of extra-curricularactivities. These range from after-school or holiday activitieson school sites to museum, business and exhibition visits,sports activities and university lectures.

After completing 30, 65 or 100 hours of activity childrenachieve bronze, silver or gold certificates, and have the chanceto attend an annual graduation ceremony, complete withmortar boards and gowns, where family and friends cancelebrate their success. Former British wheelchair rugby playerand Paralympian Aaron Phipps has agreed to be chancellor ofthe new university.

As part of the scheme, Solent University and BrockenhurstCollege students are helping to run CU-accredited activitiessuch as sports sessions, taster days, filming and musicworkshops, engineering exploration days and CU graduationceremonies.

“The Children’s University is an extension of the wide rangeof activities we already run with schools, and helps us toengage with younger children in addition to providing ourstudents with rewarding opportunities for work experience,”said Southampton Solent University’s partnershipsdevelopment manager Jamie Mackay.

Hats off to the Children’sUniversity

Solent’s leading position in sport science education, its advancedlaboratory facilities and renowned football research centre make it aperfect partner for the Barclays Premier League side.

The university’s sport science staff will continue to work alongside the club’sexperts to help monitor the fitness of the playing squad, including using theirlaboratories for VO2 max testing, which monitors how much oxygen their bodiesare using.

The results are sent to the club’s sports medicine and science team, wherethey have a direct impact on the training and match preparation of the players.

Students also gain from working with the first team squad, and the club hasalready added some of the best Solent graduates to its staff, with recentgraduates Ben Rosen and Scott Walters playing key roles in the club’s sportscience team and performance analysis staff.

“This exciting new partnership gives us the opportunity to help raise theprofile of the university, the club and the city,” said Trevor Thorne, the university’sdirector of marketing and communications.

In the wake of the partnership agreement Solent University is also looking atexploring joint health initiatives with the Saints Foundation, bringing widerbenefits to Southampton residents.

Southampton FC has named Southampton Solent as its

official university partner.

Southampton Football Club'sofficial university partner

This year Solent Creatives, the university’screative agency, celebrated its secondbirthday and another milestone – its 1000thunique job request from industry.

Linking business with creative studentssince 2011, the agency has now offered over a1,000 unique opportunities to the 900 studentsregistered on its database. As well as providing aunique opportunity for industry to tap into thetalent pool at Solent, it also instilsemployability and enterprise among students

by providing the fundamental skills required towork as a freelancer or set up a small business.

Based within Solent University’s acclaimedmedia faculty, students’ skills span a widevariety of disciplines – from graphics, webdesign and social media development tomarketing, screenwriting and video production.

And in recent months the agency hasexpanded its offering, providing services in webdesign, business management and softwareengineering. Clients who have taken advantage

of Solent students’ creative skills include theNHS, Sainsburys, Hampshire Chamber ofCommerce and Southampton Airport.

“The consistently high quality of workproduced by students, alongside theirenthusiasm and professionalism, continues toshowcase the university's academic excellenceand its commitment to promotingemployability and enterprise," said SolentCreatives Coordinator, Matt Weet.

Second birthday for Solent Creatives

UNIVERSITY NEWS


Recycling in the community

It was a double win for the university’s PR andcommunity relations team when theycollected two sought-after gold awards at theChartered Institute of Public Relations PRideAwards 2012. The Love Your Bin campaign,created by the community relations team withthe help of master’s students, deals with wastemanagement and recycling.

“These awards are a testament to Solent’songoing commitment to communityengagement,” said community relations officerAmber Wilson. “The campaign also gave us theopportunity to give a real-world brief to ourmaster’s students. They did a brilliant job andwe are very pleased with this achievement.”

Broadcasting and filmAn ITV Meridian news programme featuringSouthampton’s Titanic 100 commemorativeevent won the Best News Programme of theYear in the Royal Television Society (RTS)Southern Centre’s annual awards in February.The event was organised by the university inassociation with Associated British Ports, anda team of university staff and studentsprovided local ITV and BBC teams with livefilm footage and outside broadcast feeds. Theevent was attended by more than 650descendants of those who lost their lives.

Another RTS Southern Centre award wentto a group of Solent graduates for their shorthorror film, the Marrowing. The film, which waswritten by Hayley Smith and MatthewWootton and tells the story of an elderlycouple with a murderous streak, won the awardfor Undergraduate Entertainment at the RTSSouthern Centre Student Television Awards in February.

Volunteering in sportSolent University graduate Basia Dudek wasnamed 2013 Student Volunteer of the Year inJuly. Basia, who completed her BA (Hons)Coaching and Sport Development this year,was recognised for her outstandingcontribution to sport in the community byBritish Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS),the national governing body for highereducation sport. She has run regular coachingsessions for an after-school programme andhelped to raise £2,000 of external funding tosupport community sports projects.

Student entrepreneurshipTomasz Dyl, a recent BA (Hons) Marketing andAdvertising graduate, was namedSouthampton Young Entrepreneur of the Year inthe South Coast Business Awards 2013. He washonoured for his commitment in expanding hissuccessful marketing agency GottaBe!, as wellas for his impressive voluntary and communitywork. The annual business awards are hosted byBusiness Solent, Destination Southampton andthe Southern Daily Echo.

Awards successes for students and staff It’s been a bumper year for awards at Solent, with both staff and students achieving prestigious wins.

The university welcomed Dr JohnChudley as the new dean of theMaritime and Technology Facultythis year, as well as a new directorof information and communicationtechnology, Paul Colbran.

Dr Chudley joined Solent from theNational Apprenticeships Service(NAS), where he was a director, havingpreviously been an area director forthe Learning and Skills Council (LSC).During his time with the NAS he wasinstrumental in the development ofhigher apprenticeships.

Prior to taking up his position withthe LSC, Dr Chudley held positions atthe University of Plymouth as head ofthe department of mechanical andmarine engineering and director ofresearch and innovation.

Paul Colbran joined SolentUniversity from Brighton and HoveCity Council, where he was chief

information officer and head of IT,delivering an ICT strategy and atechnology roadmap supporting thecouncil’s 10-year access vision forpublic services. He also oversaw thedelivery of a programme supportingimproved customer access andexperience and developed a digitalinclusion strategy.

Paul started his career in the army,where he specialised in the field ofelectronics and logistics, beforemoving into IT and studying for hisHND at Solent.

Paul is leading his team to developnew technologies that deliver the bestpossible customer experience – bothfor students and staff – and toproviding a proactive service that canhelp shape the future of the university.

New appointments at SolentLaunched in July, Solent’s new school of health, exerciseand social science aims to build synergies between theuniversity’s health, social work, psychology and healthand exercise science disciplines.

Guest of honour at the launch was Dr Nicki Latham, chiefoperating officer of Health Education England.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Latham said the university hasa leading role to play in establishing the culture, values andbehaviours of healthcare workers.

“Nearly £5 billion a year is spent on education andtraining, so it’s crucial that we spend this significant amountof money in the right way and we’re investing in the rightpeople,” she said.

“With healthcare education and training rising high onthe political agenda, new universities have a real part to playin how we set up the new culture of the NHS, and how wedevelop the values and behaviours that the new healthcareworkforce needs to have.”

Solent’s recently established FdSc Health and Social Carecourse was developed in collaboration with the NHS tospecifically meet the learning and development needs ofNHS employees seeking to attain associate/assistantpractitioner status.

New school of health launched

The first architectural visualisation of the new £25

million building, designed by Scott Brownrigg and

due to be completed in 2015, features a spectacular

atrium which will form the central hub of a new

teaching block. Measuring 18 metres across, it will

include a multifunctional suspended ‘pod’ with a

viewing platform above.

The new building will provide centrally located lecture and seminarfacilities, together with social and flexible space for exhibitions, showsand events. It will have state-of-the-art lighting, acoustics andequipment. Beneath the atrium there will be a series of undergroundlecture theatres, one of them arranged in an oval ‘Harvard’ style.

The new structure will sit alongside the Sir John Everett Millaisbuilding and will be linked to the rest of the East Park Terrace (EPT) sitethrough the atrium, opening up the campus for easier circulation.

It will be naturally ventilated, with a high environmentalperformance designed to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating.

“We have commissioned a high quality building with purpose and


Building on successIn 2013 the university unveiled exciting plans for future developmentthat will transform the Southampton Solent University campus and theEast Park neighbourhood.


flair that should serve our students, our staff and Southampton wellinto the future,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Van Gore.

“Continuing demand for our courses and strong finances makepossible this new investment, which is in addition to the £20 millionwe have spent on enhancing our facilities over the last five years,”he said.

“These include a brand new media academy with excellentfacilities for all our digital and creative courses; a new school of art anddesign; FA-accredited sports facilities at Test Park; and business start-up pods for student entrepreneurs.”

The new building project follows major investments in theuniversity’s world-leading maritime facilities, including a new engineroom simulator, the manned model ship handling centre at Timsburynear Romsey and the launch of one of the world’s first superyachtacademies.

The new structure is the first phase of a planned transformation ofthe whole East Park Terrace campus, which will eventually include anew sports and sports science complex, a landscaped plaza and

enhanced facilities for students, staff and visitors. The redevelopmentforms one of the ‘Very Important Projects’ in the exciting Master Planto realise Southampton’s City Centre Vision.

Ian Pratt, associate at Scott Brownrigg, said the design would bringhuge benefits for the university and its students and staff.

“Our design for the new teaching building and the wider campusredevelopment will transform the student experience, creating vibrantsocial spaces that encourage interdisciplinary learning, collaborationand enterprise. The new facilities will also increase interaction with thewider business community by offering spaces that can be used forconferencing and public events.”

A visualisation of the planned new building


PROJECT PIOLApleasing the crowds


INNOVATION

As co-founder of the Piola shoe brand, Quentin runs one of thefew fashion companies that has managed to meet its fundingobjectives through a crowdfunding platform. “Crowdfunding is awonderful tool which helped us build and develop our company,finance our production and also get new clients and press articleson a worldwide market, and in the best blogs such as HarpersBazaar or Sneaker Freaker,” said Quentin, who graduated fromSolent in 2009.

Piola is an independent footwear label, set up three years ago. Theproject aims to set up a sustainable business with 33 rubber producersand 55 producers of organic cotton in Peru, with Piola paying producersthree to five times the market price for their materials.

Working with designer Eugene Riconneaus and using premium-quality raw materials in a first-class assembly factory in Europe, Quentinand his co-founder Antoine Burnier have created a unique product andfound innovative ways to fund their business via Kickstarter.

What is Kickstarter?Kickstarter is the most famous of the recent examples of demand-driven, up-front funding platforms that provide an alternative totraditional investment routes. Instead of seeking funding from a bankor venture capital company, Kickstarter allows people like Quentin andAntoine to publicise their project and set a funding goal; people canthen pledge money to the project if they want to support it, providingthe capital it needs to get off the ground and produce its final product.

Funding on Kickstarter is ‘all-or-nothing’, meaning that projects arefunded only if they successfully reach their funding goal by the end ofthe campaign. Only 28% of the fashion businesses launching a projecton a crowdfunding platform obtain the expected funding – but Piolahit its $60,000 target in just 25 days, and by the time the fundingperiod closed at 33 days the project had raised over 85,000 dollars.

Why Kickstarter?“Due to the current economic atmosphere in Europe, banks are notwilling to help small businesses, even more so in fashion,” saidQuentin. “But it is very easy to launch a project with Kickstarter, and allthe information is on the website.”

The idea to use Kickstarter came from Joshua Rudd, a co-workerfrom the USA where crowdfunding is common. It took four months tocreate the project’s promotional video and develop a communicationplan before the Kickstarter page went live.

Spreading the word“We created a database of more than 20,000 journalists from all overthe world and from different media such as TV, magazines, newspapers,and blogs,” said Quentin. “We contacted them one month before thelaunch. One person was in charge of each continent.”

As a result, twelve articles were published on the day of the launch,supported by a combination of social media and networking strategies.The team used their professional and personal networks to promotethe campaign via Facebook and Twitter and contacted famous peoplewith strong Twitter networks to increase their online presence.

Quentin and Antoine also contacted the alumni offices of theuniversities and schools they had attended, as well as organisationssuch as AIESEC, which put student and graduate start-ups all over theworld in contact with each other.

What next?Surpassing their original $60,000 goal let Piola set a higher ‘stretch’goal at $85,000, enabling the company to create the first workshop forits rubber producers so that latex can be transformed into rubber leaf.

The next step for Piola is to sell the shoes to distributors around theworld. Using Kickstarter helped Piola convince American stores toconsider their products, since the funding platform is popular in the USA.

While Kickstarter has not yet gained the same popularity in Europe,it’s nonetheless proved to be a successful means to promote a businessinternationally. The objective for next year will be to penetrate theglobal market in countries such as Russia, Korea, Australia, Dubai,Germany, Spain and the UK.

“Our project is very important to us,” said Quentin. “Thedevelopment of economic and social projects with our producers inPeru is the base of our brand. Thanks to Kickstarter, people know thatthat there are alternative and realistic economic models in the fashionindustry and for other types of products.”

Southampton Solent business management graduate Quentin Richardused imagination, innovation and hard graft to raise more than$85,000 to fund his sustainable shoe company Piola.

Website: www.piola.fr/

/piola.sneakers

@Piola_shoes

Left: Quentin, left, with his co-founder Antoine

Above: Project Piola’s successful Kickstarter page

NelsonProductionswas born withthe help of theuniversity’smedia agencySolentCreatives andthe Solent

enterprise team. Leeanna was offeredspace and support in the university’sbusiness pods, which help talented andentrepreneurial students to start theirown companies.

Business Pods @ Solent Creatives waslaunched in autumn 2012 and provides startupsupport for creative students who candemonstrate they have a great idea and forstarting their own business. The aim is thatwith ongoing support students’ and graduates’

businesses will be able to establish themselves,eventually becoming self-sustaining andfeeding their skills into the local economy.

The businesses taking part in the first yearof the scheme alongside Nelson Productionsincluded games studios, British manufacturedchildren’s clothing, photography, musicpromotion and fashion design. They were givenspace in the Solent Creatives media suite,business advice, access to computers andresources and offered mentoring support.Solent Creatives now also runs an 11-weekpractical business startup course and hosts astartup advice service.

Building a businessLeeanna said the support she received wasinvaluable. Solent’s emerging businesses areoffered business pod space and support for ayear, so she now runs her business from home.

Leeanna is slowly building up the business, andhas begun the process of branching out intovideo production as well as video editing, tocreate a wider client base.

“I have always been passionate about themedia, especially video editing, so it seemednatural to create a business which incorporatesmy passion,” said Leeanna.

“Many film makers are generally concernedwith the filming aspect so Nelson Productionsoffers a professional post-production service,enabling the producer to focus on filming theirproject.

“At Solent I was given advice on how tostart up my own business and make businessplans, and help with creating my website. Ittakes time to build a business, but that gave mea really good foundation. I wouldn’t have beenable to start up as a freelancer without thesupport from Solent’s business pods.”


ENTERPRISE SOLENT

Business pods booststudent enterpriseLeeanna Nelson really enjoyed video editing on her BA (Hons)Media Culture and Production degree – so after graduating fromSolent University in 2012, she decided to set up her own business.

The game, whose hero Major Magnet useshis magnetism powers to save the world,aided by loyal sidekick Gus the Guinea Pig,was the first game from Tom’s independentdevelopment company PagodaWest Games.Tom, who set up the company in 2011 withcolleague Jared Kasl, said this success was amilestone for the company.

“We launched our first game, MajorMagnet, to the iOS mobile operating system inFebruary of this year to great critical acclaim,”said Tom. “A number of well known publicationspicked it up, including Apps Magazine,PocketGamer, 148Apps and IGN, winningeditor's awards and top marks from all.

“But our biggest and most lofty aim withMajor Magnet was to get Apple's covetedEditor's Choice, which is the holy grail ofappreciation amongst iPhone/iPad developers.We were presented with the award on thelaunch day in the US, as well as in several otherregions across the globe. It was a long road, buta great feeling to see our hard work paying off.”

Tom achieved first-class honours inanimation from Southampton SolentUniversity in 2009. In his final year he single-handedly animated, directed and wrote a prize-winning animated short entitled NatalAttraction, which was broadcast on national UKtelevision and was a successful entrant into

various film festivals, including the LondonRaindance Film Festival 2009.

Tom went on to work at London-basedanimation studio Picasso Pictures and as afreelancer, collaborating with clients such asMotorola, Sainsbury’s and Santander on variousanimation, graphics and illustration projects. Hislove of games, coupled with a desire forchallenge, excitement and fun in his work, led tohim co-founding PagodaWest Games where heis currently art director.

Jared and Tom met while working on Sonic 2HD, an online, fan-based high definition remakeof the SEGA Mega Drive game Sonic 2.

“It was through this project that Jared and I met and formed a tight friendship. Ultimatelywe decided that, as passionate gamers, we had the ability to formulate our own originalgame projects.”

Hard work has played a great part in Tom’ssuccess, but he also credits his course at Solentwith giving him a great start.

“The BA (Hons) Animation course providedme with endless inspiration andencouragement to truly do what I loved doingmost – animating and illustrating. I was mostexcited about getting to my third year andmaking my short film. It was one of the moststrenuous undertakings of my life, but I lovedevery minute of it. Being given the ability to

manage your own work and prove your abilitieswas the course's greatest asset – you can learnso much if you're prepared to put the work in.”

Since the company’s initial success a newgame, Major Magnet Arcade, is due to belaunched in association with publisherIddiction, and Pagoda West is hard at work onsome other exciting projects.

“I would love to talk about some potentiallyhuge projects we have on the horizon,” saidTom, “but my lips must remain sealed for now.”


GRADUATE ENTERPRISE

Major Magnetconquers the world

Solent animation graduate Tom Fry was thrilled when his Major Magnetgame gained an Editor’s Choice nomination from Apple in February.

Above: Tom Fry, second from right, and the

Pagoda West team.


HONORARY AWARDS

A Rolls-Royce futureSolent graduate James Warren recently joined the jet set after beingappointed to a newly-created role as UK product and corporatecommunications manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

…a great example of how theskills learned on our degree coursecan lead to all kinds of careers, bothinside and outside of the media.

“

”Now he travels all over the world at an exciting

time in the company’s 109-year history, liaising

with the global media and helping promote the

company’s prestigious brand name – and its equally

prestigious luxury cars. It’s been a busy year for Rolls-Royce and James has had to hit the

ground running in his new role, as a new model – the Rolls-RoyceWraith – was launched to the world’s media.

A special collection of Ghost and Phantom family models,conceived by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team in order to mark ten yearsof Rolls-Royce Motor Cars production at Goodwood in West Sussex,has also been designed for 2013.

“It’s an extraordinary time for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” said James.“Wraith is the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce ever, usingsatellite data to ‘see beyond what the driver sees’ and ensure that theautomatic transmission is always in the correct gear when negotiatingbends, roundabouts and motorway junctions.

“Three successive record years, a strong start for Wraith and thesustained success of our Bespoke business has led to the need forexpansion at Goodwood. In essence, it means 100 new jobs – awonderful success story in the British manufacturing renaissance.Existing at the very cutting edge is enormously stimulating.”

The path to RRJames says that luck and hard work have both played a part in hiscareer so far. He graduated from Solent University with a BA HonsJournalism degree in 2010 and joined Rolls-Royce on the company’sstudent programme, which he secured through a partnership linkbetween his course and the company.

“I was fortunate enough to be friends with the previous incumbentof the internship, a Solent journalism student called Ruth Fletcher,”said James. “When it came to seeking her replacement, she kindlyrecommended me for the role.”

During his internship James supported the corporatecommunications manager at the company’s head office andmanufacturing plant at Goodwood, before a year-long secondment tothe Singapore office.

“I came into the business at an exceptionally busy time,” saidJames, “and was encouraged to run my own projects in markets asdiverse as India, Japan, Korea and Australia. The writing and media skillsI learned at Solent proved a great boon and I was quickly givenresponsibility for producing all the press materials for these markets.The exposure to new cultures and working practices helped me grow instature, giving me the confidence to pursue opportunities at the homeof Rolls-Royce in Goodwood.”


Back to GoodwoodJames returned to Goodwood in late 2012 as a contractor, supportingthe global product communications manager, and credits SouthamptonSolent University with equipping him for life after studying.

“My lecturers gave me the theoretical and all-important practicalgrounding that gave me the confidence to excel the moment I enteredthe world of work. They tirelessly encouraged and supported me inseeking meaningful work experience whilst studying, something thatproved invaluable to me in securing my first role,” he said.

“James was an excellent journalism student,” said Andy Chatfield,course leader for the BA Hons Journalism at Solent. “He’s a greatexample of how the skills learned on our degree course can lead to allkinds of careers, both inside and outside of the media.”

James’ enthusiasm for cars helped him stand out during that firstinternship, and reinforced his belief that you need to love what you do.“This is a business full of passionate people who fundamentally ‘get’Rolls-Royce’s place in automotive history,” he said. “As an enthusiastmyself, I feel I’m able to extol this passion when communicating onbehalf of the brand.”

But there’s also no substitute for hard work, he said. “Our dealingswith the press have to be as peerless as the cars we produce. Maintainingthose standards is a tough but rewarding challenge. My day sometimesstarts at 6.30am and when we’re hosting the world’s media can go on till1am. It’s a hugely enriching, albeit exhausting, experience.”

Wraith – Roll-Royce’s high-tech new model has just

been launched to the media

Keith, global chief marketing andcommunications officer for Unilever, was honoured in recognition of hisoutstanding accomplishments inbusiness.

Keith is responsible for Unilever’smarketing, sustainability andcommunications function. He leads onUnilever’s safe drinking water businessand the Unilever brand, and is a pivotalpart in the company’s aim to increase its

sales and halve its environmental impact by 2020. Keith has championed the idea that brands should integrate

corporate social responsibility into all their working practices andshould drive growth by catering to consumers’ needs. He has said thatbrands can also be a force for good and for social change and thatbusinesses should connect with this challenge.

“You have to experiment and push the boundaries,” he said at the graduation event in November 2012. “If you’re not failing you’renot trying hard enough. You learn more from your failures than fromyour successes.

“Miserable people deliver miserable results, so you should also havefun. Do what you love and love what you do.”

Keith said it was a “marvellous honour” to be recognised by the university.

“I am impressed by the engagement of staff and students atSolent,” he said. “One of the most important aspects of highereducation is thinking for yourself and exploring academically.”

Keith was voted Marketer of the Year in the Marketing SocietyAwards for Excellence 2012. He obtained a first-class degree inengineering from the University of Liverpool and is a fellow of theMarketing Society and of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. Hejoined Unilever in 1983 and has worked for the company in the UK,France and the United States, as well as in a variety of global andregional management and marketing roles.


Reaching aglobal market

Environmental innovation

Experiment and take risks – that was the message

from marketing guru Keith Weed when he was

awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business at

Southampton Solent University.

Learn from various cultures, beinquisitive and find the world –it’s out there waiting for you

“

”

HONORARY AWARDS

In recognition of his outstandingaccomplishments in the maritime industry,Southampton Solent University awardedSvein with an Honorary Doctorate ofMaritime Operations at a ceremony atSouthampton Guildhall in November 2012.

At Solent’s graduation ceremony, headvised graduates of the importance ofgood communication. “Learn from variouscultures, be inquisitive and find the world –it’s out there waiting for you,” he said.

Svein started his shipping career after leaving the Norwegian navy36 years ago, and has held a variety of senior positions at ship-brokingand ship-owning companies before being appointed to his current roleat NYK in 2008.

Among his many achievements, Svein spearheaded NYK'spurchase of car terminals in Zeebrugge and Antwerp, now calledInternational Car Operators (ICO). Handling three million vehiclesannually, they are among the largest in the world and Svein has madeit his mission to make the terminals as environmentally friendly aspossible.

ICO has a water recycling system which uses the same water towash up to 500 cars per shift, solar panels producing 12% of theAntwerp and Zeebrugge terminals’ daily electricity, and advancedlogistics software which reduces the number of car moves, producingless CO2. The company also has an automatic lighting control systemto reduce energy use, and has investigated electric company cars andwind turbines.

Svein said it is vital for young people to understand the importanceof the shipping industry in a global world. “Humanity is fullydependent on global trade, where shipping plays a major role.Continuity where young and eager people take over is thus anecessity. Sharing my decades of experience with students can addvalue to their studies.”

Svein Steimler, executive vice president and chief

operating officer of NYK Group Europe, is leading

the way in environmentally-friendly innovations

in the shipping industry.


Take your learning further

at Solent

POSTGRADUATE

Have you ever thought of studying

for a postgraduate qualification?

Solent University’s enviable reputation in the

creative industries, maritime and sport studies puts

our master’s and PhD students at the cutting edge

of their chosen industry, and as a Solent graduate

you’ll get 10% off any postgraduate course.Postgraduate students also come from all over the world to work

with Solent academics who are leading experts in a wide range offields, studying on innovative master’s degrees such as business IT,digital marketing and media, multimedia journalism, internationalmaritime studies and more.

Our taught courses are available in full-time, part-time and flexibleformats, letting you tailor your studies to suit your circumstances asyou get to grips with the latest thinking, update your skills toincorporate the latest changes in industry practices and technology,and make the very best of your talents.

Solent research: improving our worldSolent also offers PhD and MPhil research qualifications in a widerange of cutting-edge research areas. Part of our cross-disciplineacademic clusters, students have access to experts from a wide rangeof fields and support developing and publishing their work, as well asbuilding a network of national and international contacts.

Solent students are already carrying out important research tochange our world for the better. James Steele, for example, aims toadvance knowledge on the treatment of chronic lower back pain andimprove sufferers’ quality of life, while Lesley Macdonald is researchingthe growth of corporate social responsibility in sourcing ethical andsustainable food.

To find out more about the university’s postgraduate opportunities,visit www.solent.ac.uk/postgraduate orwww.solent.ac.uk/research

GRADUATION 2012The graduation ceremonies are the highlight of the

university’s year, when we celebrate the achievements of our

students and our staff. The academic excellence and real-world

skills secured at Solent University are crucial to the individual

and to future economic growth. Warmest congratulations to

everyone who graduated this year.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Van Gore

“

”



Solent Acoustics is making a name for itself in the management of sound.

Noise controlThe university’s acoustics consultancy, Solent Acoustics, has achieved a series of successes in 2013, strengthening the organisation’s growing reputation in noise management and acoustics.

Having gained accreditation from industry body the Institute ofAcoustics in February, Solent is now a full centre for its PostgraduateDiploma in Acoustics and Noise Control, allowing Solent Acoustics toprovide highly regarded qualifications at certificate and diploma level.

The university also hosted the first Solent Acoustics conference,Noise in Music and Entertainment, in March. The conference wasattended by over 100 delegates, including sound system designers,acoustic consultants, environmental health officers, festival organisers,event managers, promoters, musicians, sound engineers and students.

Part of the Maritime and Technology Faculty at SouthamptonSolent University, Solent Acoustics offers both consultancy andprofessional training courses in noise control and acoustics, as well asservices for both internal and external clients.

Dr Chris Barlow, associate professor in the technology school,identified a market for professional training and consultancy in noisemanagement two years ago. Dr Barlow’s background was originally inmusical acoustics, recording technology and audio engineering, andthe consultancy undertakes a lot of music industry work.

Broadening consultancyHowever Dr Barlow has appeared on BBC Radio 4 as an expert in bothvoice analysis and occupational noise, and Solent Acoustics providesconsultancy on everything from noise protection in helmets for themaritime industry to occupational noise monitoring.

It has also expanded its research work to look at elements of noisecontrol in products and prototypes. Recently the consultancy has been

working with Strategic Audiology Services in Somerset, to develop animproved product for audiometric screening.

“Noise affects all industries and occurs in every sector, from yachtbuilding to the motor industry and the military,” Dr Barlow said. “Noiseaffects us at work and in entertainment, and even at home, wheresound measurement is an important aspect of the development ofhome printers, washing machines and vacuum cleaners.

“Legislation in the field of noise control has grown in recent yearsso correct measurements are vital. Testing and training are animportant element of our courses at Solent and we are specialists intraining, education and continuing professional development in areasrelated to noise and acoustics.”

Solent Acoustics now has four full-time staff, with other academicand technical staff also involved in its work, and providesundergraduate students with essential work experience on itscommercial projects. In summer 2013 Solent Acoustics took part innoise planning and monitoring for music festivals across the country,from Southampton city centre to Herefordshire.

“Solent Acoustics’ technical knowledge and experience farexceeded expectations, and their professionalism was second tonone,” said Joe Bennett, founder of Truck Festival.

TECHNOLOGY

Solent Acoustics providesconsultancy on everything fromnoise protection in helmets tooccupational noise monitoring.

Showcasing research and enterprise


Celebrating the exciting diversity ofresearch and enterprise activities atSouthampton Solent University, this year’sresearch and enterprise conferenceexplored themes of the enterprisingresearcher, interdisciplinary research andthe impacts of research, and discussed thebenefits of social media on the field.

Held at the university every year, theconference highlights the importance ofresearch and enterprise for higher educationand enables delegates to share best practiceand innovation.

At this year’s event, held in May, keynotespeaker Dr Paul Spencer of the University ofthe West of England described some of theprojects he has been working on in the fieldsof social innovation and enterprise. His talkcentred on the abundance of skills, knowledgeand attributes researchers can use togenerate solutions to societal challenges.

The conference also featured a session onresearch careers from VITAE, which

champions the professionalism and careerdevelopment of researchers in highereducation and research institutes. Drawing onVITAE’s Researcher Development Framework,the session looked at the skills and abilitiesneeded to pursue a research career, and howto progress in the field.

Through workshops on social media,intellectual property rights and researchsupervision, the conference also acted as aforum for sharing and enhancing research andenterprise skills.

Meanwhile sessions on staff and studentdevelopment emphasised the university’sfocus on fostering research skills andentrepreneurship in its undergraduate andresearch degree students.

“The research and enterprise conferencehas grown in strength since the inauguralconference in 2010,” said research andenterprise support manager Aline Giordano.“The 2013 conference was very wellattended, and was testament to the

university’s commitment to inclusivity. “Delegates reported that the event had

been inspiring, and enabled colleagues toshare experiences as well as networking.There was stimulating conversation aroundways to enhance the research environmentand a genuine sense of achievement by thetime the conference closed.”

In March Solent opened its doors to over 130

school and college students as part of National

Science and Engineering Week. Part of a campaign to inspire young people and raise their

awareness of opportunities in STEM (science, technology, engineeringand maths) subjects, the event gave students the opportunity to takepart in an informative and challenging series of hands-on activities.

The Faculty of Maritime and Technology opened proceedings withundergraduate displays showing prospective students and theirparents the exciting, innovative projects carried out by degree-levelSTEM students at Solent.

STEM taster sessions during the week covered both theory and itspractical applications, with students taking part in engaging activitiessuch as building the strongest crane or measuring calories, oxygen andcarbon dioxide output during exercise sessions in Solent’s specialisedphysiology lab.

The university’s entertainment technology team also randemonstrations and workshops using the university's state-of-the-artfacilities, covering topics such as 3D sound and digital cinema, roomacoustics, green-screen technology and outside broadcasting.

Outreach officer and event organiser Sophia Basi said theuniversity’s growing links with industry, wide range of courses andexcellent facilities provide ideal opportunities for young peopleinterested in STEM subjects.

“The events aimed to inspire young people and to raise theirawareness of the breadth of career opportunities out there. Thefeedback from STEM week was very positive.”

STEM week inspires the young

TECHNOLOGY

The event wasinspiring, andenabledcolleagues toshare experiencesas well asnetworking.

“

”

Rob Henham, Solent's Senior Lecturer in Engineering Science, working

with students from Hamble Community Sports College


Southampton Solent University’s BEng (Hons) Yacht and PowercraftDesign course has an enviable reputation worldwide, and is alsosomething of a family affair.

A global family – yacht design at Solent

MARITIME

Fathers and sons have been known tofollow in each other’s footsteps on thecourse, and each year graduates go on towork for course alumni who have set upsuccessful businesses all over the world.

In 2013 the course achieved some notablesuccesses on the international stage. The firstand second winning boats in the single-handround-the-world Vendée Globe yacht racewere designed by former Solent studentGuillaume Verdier, who runs his navalarchitecture business from Morbihan inBrittany, France.

Skipper Tanguy de Lamotte, who was tenthover the finishing line, is also a graduate of the course.

Solent’s yacht design course has beenrunning for over 40 years, but continues tokeep ahead of the game.

“We follow the most up-to-date trends,”said course leader Giles Barkley. “It’s reallyimportant that the course is industry relevant

and fit for purpose. We have very good links with people in the industry and withformer students.”

Close to home in Marchwood nearSouthampton, recent yacht design studentJami Buckley is well established in his design career at boat builders CompositeMouldings Group.

Jami helps to run the business with hisfather Warwick, also a graduate of the Solentcourse, and his brother Tommi. They have alsotaken on another Solent student, FrancescoChivilo, to help out while Jami is away sailingin New Zealand.

The family has also set up Buckley YachtDesign, and Jami and Warwick have designedand built their own leisure performancecruiser prototype, the B45, which debuted inthe Isle of Wight’s Round the Island YachtRace in June 2013.

“It did very well,” said Jami. “The B45finished fifth in its group. We were racingagainst bigger boats and against Olympicsailor Ben Ainslie in one of the fastest sportsyachts out there, so we were quite pleased.”

Lymington-based designers HumphreysYacht Design also has strong ties with SolentUniversity. Former Solent yacht designstudent Tom Humphreys graduated in 2006and has since teamed up with his father Rob,who set up the design studio in the 1970s. TheHumphreys Yacht Design team also includes

other graduates from Solent University, withNick Pike having graduated back in 1987 andTommaso Cigliana in 2012.

Recent designs from the company includethe 90ft ‘spirit of tradition’-class TempusFugit, due to compete this autumn in theclassic regattas of the WesternMediterranean, and the Class 40 Vaquita,which competed this summer in the RolexFastnet Race and the Class 40 WorldChampionships. The Vaquita will also race thisautumn in the double-handed Transat JacquesVabre race across the Atlantic.

“Having grown up very close to thebusiness I realised that this is what I wantedto do,” said Tom. “The course was fantasticand gave me a really good grounding in all thefundamental aspects of yacht design andnaval architecture.”

Warwick and Jami Buckley Rob and Tom Humphreys


Warsash Superyacht Academyteams up with world-leading shipyard

MARITIME

Exciting developments are under way at Southampton SolentUniversity’s renowned Warsash Superyacht Academy.

Based at the university’s Warsash Maritime Academy (WMA)training centre, the superyacht academy is expanding its activitiesoverseas and teaming up with one of the superyacht world’s mostprestigious shipyards.

The Marina Barcelona 92 (MB’92) shipyard has developed into a fullservice superyacht base since the Barcelona Olympics of 1992. TheMB’92 yard employs 100 people, supports another 800 experts and isnow seen as a one-stop shop for all aspects of superyacht repair andservicing. It has contracts with some of the most important companiesin the industry, and has cornered a global market in providing integratedservices for the world’s biggest yachts.

An educational partnershipIn a significant new partnership, Warsash Superyacht Academy willdeliver training courses at MB’92’s newly founded nautical academy. The course portfolio will include yacht deck and engineeringcertification courses, plus a comprehensive range of mandatory andnon-mandatory courses including human element, leadership andmanagement, international ship and port facility security, maritimesecurity, medical, international safety management and more.

“This is a very exciting development for the academy and onewhich will help to cement our reputation in the global industry,” saidLars Lippuner, business development manager at WMA.

“Warsash Superyacht Academy aims to set new standards ineducation and training to meet the requirements of the luxury yachtsector and to develop its future leaders. The partnership with thenautical academy in MB’92 is a perfect strategic fit and further proofof the innovation and collaboration with major partners in the industrythat has lead to such a successful first year for the academy.”

All about superyachts A superyacht is a commercially operated luxury yacht (motor or sailpowered) that is professionally crewed and has a loadline length of 24metres and above. Some yachts are used exclusively by their owners,while others are operated as charter businesses.

The largest superyacht in construction, known as Project Azzam, is180m long and believed to require 150 sea-going staff to man it, and tohave cost at least £400 million.

Superyacht specialistsThe global superyacht industry has an annual turnover of €24bn, fromyacht-build to repair, services, berths and crewing, with 54% of thatamount created in Europe. The world’s superyacht fleet has more thandoubled in the last ten years, with 4,950 yachts currently in service andmore under construction.

The industry directly employs 148,000 to 163,000 personnelworldwide, and its rapid expansion has increased demand for trainedand experienced yacht crew at a time when there is a shortfall in thesupply of personnel.

As the only centre of its kind, Warsash Superyacht Academy is wellplaced to help address that demand. The academy offers acomprehensive range of courses for sea-going and shore-side staff,from entry-level training for deck, engineering and interior crewthrough progression training and certification for officers and Captainsup to Master Unlimited.

The partnership with MB’92 is proof of theinnovation that has lead to such a successfulfirst year for the academy.

”“

The MB’92 Shipyard – one of the

world’s leading superyacht facilities

22 | HEADWAY | Summer 2012 22 | HEADWAY | Autumn 2013

Warsash Maritime Academy welcomed a new

purpose-built scaled ship model to its Ship Handling

Centre in May – increasing its fleet to eight.

New model ship helps save lives

The academy, part of Southampton Solent University, is a world-leading training centre for seafaring ships’ officers, pilots andmasters. The scaled models handle in the same way as a real ship,giving officers the opportunity to see how to handle a largevessel safely, particularly in restricted waters.

The new ship model, named Resolution, is the first 1:25 scalemodel of a container ship to join the existing fleet at the centre.Modelled on a real 13,300 TEU container ship that is 365 metres long,the scaled vessel replicates the most widely used container ship sizetrading globally by major shipping companies.

Industry leaders, dignitaries and university staff were present atthe launch, presided over by the university’s chancellor, Admiral TheRight Honourable Lord West of Spithead, at the Ship Handling Centrein Timsbury.

“This valuable addition to the fleet demonstrates the sustainedlevel of investment from the university in its facilities at theacademy,” said Andrew Hair, director of Warsash Maritime Academy.“As well as benefitting the shipping industry economically andenvironmentally, this type of training has the potential to save lives.”

Warsash Maritime Academy achieved a global first in October 2012, with the launch of its brand new

full-mission engine room simulator.

Bringing the real world into maritime training

The first of its kind in the world, the specially designed simulatorfeatures cutting-edge facilities that mimic real shipboardenvironments, helping to train the mariners of the future in safety,emergency and crisis management skills.

Integrating simulator technology with real vessel control andelectrical systems, the new facility brings realism into this highlyspecialist training area. The simulator suite consists of an enginecontrol room, an emergency switchboard room, a high voltage roomand a photorealistic engine room, as well as an instructor station.

Serving engineering officers, marine surveyors, technical

superintendents, electro-technical officers and Merchant Navy officercadets use the simulator to learn how to handle the most challengingconditions and situations in different types of vessels, including a verylarge crude carrier, a fast roll-on roll-off ferry and a cruise ship.

The simulator tests the operator for communication, cooperation,situational awareness, decision-making and leadership skills, andaccurately recreates the time delays and issues that would occur asofficers move from the control room to locations elsewhere within theengine room – bringing an essential real-world feel to their training.

MARITIME

Resolution, the latest addition to the Solent fleet

In the current economic climate, ships’ crews are underincreasing pressure from competitive voyage schedules – andthere are rising concerns over incidents and accidents that areincreasingly attributed to fatigue.

Building on its predecessor HORIZON, a €3.4 million EuropeanCommission-funded study into fatigue at sea, the MARTHA projectwill continue this research and pilot some of the recommendationsmade by experts at Solent University’s Warsash Maritime Academyand the Stress Research Institute at Stockholm University.

One of the outcomes of Project HORIZON, which saw Solent’shead of maritime research, Professor Mike Barnett, honoured with theMerchant Navy Medal for Services to marine safety, has been theproduction of a prototype fatigue prediction model createdspecifically for use in shipping operations. Based on a theoreticalmodel produced from research within other industries, it predicts thelevels of fatigue among watchkeepers. One of the aims of the latestproject is to put this into practice and test it at sea.

A new HORIZON for maritime safetyResearchers at Southampton Solent University have

been awarded $1.5 million by the TK Foundation in

Nassau, Bahamas, to lead an international research

project into seafarer fatigue.


CREATIVITY UNLEASHEDJames Hilton and Future Lions

Student teams from across the globe picked up the Future Lionsawards at this year’s 60th annual Cannes Lions International Festival ofCreativity in France this June, singling them out for promising careers

Future Lions, run by the ideas and innovation company AKQA, isopen to students from all over the globe. Now in its eighth year, itcelebrates forward-thinking ideas for brands without media,technology or audience constraints.

The creative concept for this year’s competition, Destiny Awaits,was the brainchild of Southampton Solent University alumnus andAKQA’s chief creative officer and co-founder, James Hilton.

James, who has accumulated a multitude of awards in his career,including Grand Prix and Gold Cannes Lions, is a visiting professor at Solent and is soon to become an honorary professor. In November2012 he returned to the university to deliver a lecture on the globaldesign and creative industries and to share his experiences with Solent students.

James co-founded AKQA with CEO Ajaz Ahmed shortly afterleaving what was then Southampton Institute in 1994. He studiedGraphic Design OND and HND at the institute from 1990 to 1994,winning two competitions and obtaining work for external clientswhile he was still on the course. He credits Solent University withobtaining a suite of Apple Macs during the time he was there, allowinghim to experiment with new software and ideas.

A world leader in design and creativity, in 2010 James was amongthe Creativity 50, a list of the world’s 50 most influential and inspiring

creative personalities. He was named the UK’s number one digitalcreative director for two consecutive years by Campaign magazine,and has served as a judge on respected industry awards such as CannesLions, the Webby Awards, the Clio awards and Eurobest.

AKQA is one of the most successful and highly respected agenciesin the world, with offices in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Berlin, London, New York, Paris, Portland, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo andWashington D.C.

“We were, are and always will be an ideas company,” said James.“We use technology to amplify these ideas. Since day one we havefocused on creating amazing experiences that inspire our clients andtheir audience in whatever way or medium is relevant. Because of thisit is a continually exciting and challenging environment in which toinvent the next insanely great thing. And we also work very hard.”

Future Lions is AKQA’s way of inspiring and identifying the nextgeneration of forward-thinking talent, entrepreneurs and storytellers,said James.

"In 2013 Future Lions again showcased five incredible ideas thatinspire and impress," he said. "By applying technology and creativethinking to a range of problems, Future Lions 2013 winnersdemonstrated the power and impact brands can have when they makepeople's lives better."

Re:So is the first full-time student-run store in a UK shopping centre,launched in late 2012 by Solent University and Southampton’s TheMarlands Shopping Centre.

Giving creative and entrepreneurial students and graduates anoutlet for their collections of art, fashion and music, Re:So offersshoppers unique, one-off pieces such as hand-made jewellery, printedT-shirts, artwork and vintage fashion.

Staffed by several student managers, Re:So also provides an artgallery and education space for creative professionals.

Award-winning innovationThe project was awarded a BCSC Purple Apple Marketing Merit awardfor community relations at a London ceremony in May 2013, hostedby TV and radio presenter Claudia Winkleman. The Purple Applesshowcase innovation, delivery and performance of effective shoppingcentre marketing in the UK sector.

“It was a strongly contested category and we are such a youngproject, so to be awarded a Purple Apple Merit was absolutelyfantastic,” said Lisa Mann, programme leader for fashion managementand promotion.


Retail and innovation atstudent-run Re:So store

Students excel atSouthampton Fashion WeekT.M.Lewin CEO Geoff Quinn and other industry

experts were guests of honour during the city’s

first ever Southampton Fashion Week in May.

Solent students and graduates hone their

entrepreneurial skills this year on an award winning

retail and education partnership.

FASHION

Organised by final-year students on Solent University’s FashionManagement and Marketing course, in association with students fromacross the fashion school, the week also involved input from localbusinesses, schools, colleges and students.

Exhibitions, conferences, guest speakers and pop-up shops ranthroughout the week, while the university’s annual graduate fashionshow – running in a specially constructed venue in the heart of the city– opened up to the media, industry representatives and the public.

“The fashion show was very well attended and was a greatsuccess,” said Suzie Norris, head of Solent’s school of fashion.“Southampton City Council and several charities want to get moreinvolved next year and we also want to involve more schools andorganisations.”

Graduate fashion show rehearsals were also opened to studentsfrom various local colleges, giving them valuable and rare insight intobehind-the-scenes activity within the fashion industry. Year 9 studentsfrom Bitterne Park School also attended a contemporary fashion showduring the week.

Unreal experience at ShanghaiFashion Week Solent fashion graduate Emily Harris was thrilled to

have her designs exhibited at Shanghai Fashion

Week in April 2013.

Emily, who obtained first-class honours in 2012, was selected todisplay her outfits alongside those of fellow graduates Natalie Rossand Ieva Poriete in an exhibition at Shanghai International FashionEducation Centre.

The trio exhibited designs from their final-year work, includingEmily’s ‘The Unreality of Time’ collection, which took to the catwalkat the university’s London and Southampton graduate fashion showslast year.

“It was very exciting to be chosen and such a great opportunity tobe able to take part in an international exhibition,” said Emily.

Since graduating, Emily has completed a number of internshipsfor brands such as Emilio De La Morena, Negarin and SVEK. She hopesto move into a permanent position with a design team in future andeventually would like to run her own women’s fashion line.

With China becoming increasingly influential in the global fashionand textile industry, Southampton Solent University’s fashion schoolhas built up a number of strong relationships with partner institutionsin China in recent years - leading to an increasing number ofopportunities for students and graduates to exhibit internationally.


CREATIVE

The man responsible, visual effects expertPaul Franklin, gained a Best Special VisualEffects nomination at 2012’s BAFTAs forthe film – and in April was awarded avisiting fellowship by SouthamptonSolent University in recognition of hismany achievements in VFX.

Paul has been making visual effectsand computer animation for over 20years, and is one of the co-founders of

effects house Double Negative. Since 2003 Paul has worked regularly withdirector Christopher Nolan, acting as visual effects supervisor on Inceptionand the Dark Knight trilogy.

Paul won both a BAFTA and an Oscar for the VFX in Inception, and hasachieved a host of other awards and nominations. Among his other creditshe lists Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Harry Potter and the Orderof the Phoenix, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Enemy at theGates, The Borrowers and The English Patient.

Paul is currently working on Christopher Nolan's latest film Interstellar,which is due to be released in November 2014.

“It is our job to create a seamless illusion of photo reality,” he said. “Thetrick is to hide the joins so that the audience doesn’t know where realityends and fantasy begins.”

Nurturing tomorrow’s artistsBefore receiving his Solent award, Paul was interviewed in front of anaudience of film and TV students by another visiting fellow, TV and radiopresenter Briggy Smale.

Paul will be returning to Solent to work with students on theuniversity’s special effects and film and television courses, and iscommitted to nurturing the talented artists of the future.

“I love my work and it’s always exciting to meet people who share myenthusiasm for filmmaking and visual effects,” he said. “Talking withstudents and telling them about what I do is fantastic – I always learnsomething new, so it’s not just a one-way street.”

Double Negative is Europe's largest provider of visual effects for filmand has recently completed work on projects such as Fast & Furious 6,Rush, Man of Steel, The World's End, Captain Phillips and Hunger Games:Catching Fire.

The company held its first ever graduate open day in June at its LondonHQ, to help talented students take their next step towards a career in VFX.The day was a big success, with over 60 graduates attending.

“I think my greatest achievement overall is our studio,” said Paul. “I’vebeen with Double Negative since the very beginning, helping to set it upand building our original 3D studio. I’m very proud to be part of what hasbecome a first-class creative environment for the best visual effects artistsin the world.”

VISUAL MAGICIn the opening sequence of The Dark Knight Rises, a

dramatic aerial highjack involving two tethered

planes merged stunt work, real footage and visual

effects to thrilling effect.


Solent OB Truck goeshigh-definition

The Solent OB truck – seen regularly broadcasting from across theUK – has now been equipped with the latest in high definition (HD)technology. “As far as we know, no other university in the countryhas got such a high spec OB vehicle with full broadcast and HDcapability,” said Sean Lancastle, senior lecturer in mediatechnology.

“Even before the refit, nothing came close to the facilities we offerour students. Most production in the UK is high definition now and thisinvolves different technology, so this gives our students the opportunityto learn the technical set up for HD and to gain experience which willmake them better prepared for working in the industry.”

The refit, which was carried out in May, included upgradedcommunications as well as HD monitoring and recording – enabling theSolent team to produce material meeting a higher, BBC-approvedspecification. The OB truck was at Glastonbury Festival again this year,with HD footage of the Silver Hayes stage featuring on BBC Three’scoverage of the world-renowned event.

Real-world opportunitiesThe OB truck provides students with plenty of opportunities for real-world experience in live outside broadcast and production, at eventsincluding Glastonbury, Bestival, Butserfest, Children in Need, Truckfestand the 2012 Olympics.

Up to 50 supervised students take on professional industry rolessuch as unit manager, director, vision mixer, floor manager or lightingengineer. They can be involved at a number of major events at any onetime – with students from a wide range of entertainment and mediacourses also taking part.

“Having such a high-spec OB vehicle has really cemented ourrelationship with BBC South,” said Sean, “which means that ourstudents get a unique experience of working with the UK’s topbroadcaster on all stages of the process, from shared planning to theoperational aspects of live broadcast.”

The university’s high-spec equipment and the quality of its workexperience opportunities provides Solent entertainment technologygraduates with exceptional employability, and many have gone on tofull-time posts with leading broadcast companies such as NEP Visionsand Arena – working with broadcasters such as Sky and the BBC, andcovering top sporting events and programmes such as Springwatch.

Professional technologySophie Colvin, who graduated with a BSc (Hons) OutsideBroadcasting in 2011, now works as a vision engineer for Arena. "Therefurbishment in Solent's OB truck has made a massive improvementto the facilities,” she said. “One of the most important features ofbeing a vision engineer is understanding waveform monitors, theprinciples of the video signal and having a good eye for colour. The new addition of the racks position in the truck will allow students tolearn the true engineering fundamentals required to work within avision team.

“It also creates the opportunity for industry professionals to comein and teach students the core skills required on site, as the technologyis now available at Solent to do it. Looking back after a few years in theindustry it is clear how much the quality of pictures affects the overalllook of a production and makes the difference between student workand professional work."

Southampton Solent’s state-of-the-art outside broadcast (OB) vehicle is now even more state-of-the-art.

With the truck’s latest £250,000 upgrade in May, Solent students and university partners have access to

one of the best-equipped OB set ups in the UK.

TECHNOLOGY

Solent students get to

grips with the latest

broadcast technology

gaining in strengthSince its launch in March 2013, Team Solent Sharks wheelchair rugby club is well on theway to sporting success.


The Sharks, which received £44,000 in funding from SouthamptonSolent University, is the UK’s only wheelchair rugby club that isbased at a university. The university purchased 12 specially designedwheelchairs for club members, and supports the Sharks with atraining hall and admin support.

Additional funding has come from the local Freemasons, the WaringsGroup and Microlink PC, while local charity Big World Impact has agreed to support the club with the cost of coaching and competing.

Dr Stewart Bruce-Low, associate professor at Solent and GBWheelchair Rugby (GBWR)’s sport scientist in the lead up to the London2012 Paralympic Games, has also aided the club’s development byproviding specialist fitness sessions.

Since the launch the club has attracted 20 new members, includingTeam GB Paralympic star Aaron Phipps and his fellow Paralympian Myles‘Mylo’ Pearson, who will join the team when he starts his studies at Solentin the autumn.

Sharks chairman honouredRichard Cartwright, a senior lecturer in accountancy at the university andthe Sharks’ club chairman, has also been awarded an Everybody Countsaward by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales(ICAEW) for his role in founding the team.

The ICAEW awards £2,000 to each winner, and honours members fortheir commitment to projects beyond the accountancy profession.

Planning for future successThe Sharks played their first national GBWR tournament at the nationalchampionships in Doncaster in May and started their first competitiveseason in October.

They plan to enter two teams into the GBWR Super Series next year:one looking to gain promotion into the first division of GB wheelchairrugby and eventually challenge for national titles, while the other focuseson grass roots development.

“We are now the second largest wheelchair rugby club in the UK,” saidRichard, “and probably one of the best run. This is due in no small part tothe professional support we receive from Southampton Solent University.

“We’ve gone from a fledgling startup to a club able to compete on thenational stage, attracting elite talent from across the country. It has beena dream come true.”

The team trains every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at the SportsCentre in St Mary’s, Southampton, and welcomes players of all ages andabilities from the whole community. Members range in age from 12 to 55years and have varying levels of experience.

SPORT

Carrying the torchIt’s only been running in its current form for three years, butSouthampton Solent University’s High Performance Academy is playing its part in keeping the Olympic legacy alive.

SPORT

As well as supporting 30 talented student athletes,the academy is also working with the HampshireTalented Athlete Scheme, Itchen and Totton collegesand Noadswood and Redbridge schools to help train and nurture the sports stars of the future.

“We support our talented athletes withphysiotherapy, athlete workshops, strength

and conditioning and sports psychology,”said High Performance Academy

manager James Grant. “Somestudents also receive funding

to help with their universityfees, training costs and

travel.“Of the 30 student

athletes that wesupport, 10 aretraining atinternational level and

the majority of theseare part of the GB Podium Potential programme. The restof our talented athletes are at national standard andcompete at a high level domestically. Our aim is to helpall our athletes to get a step up to the next level throughmaking the most of their potential both physically andmentally, and to create a performance culture that willhelp them get there.”

“We are very keen on developing our partnership andoutreach work so that talented young people have accessto a good level of performance support and can take thatnext step up in their sporting careers,” said James.

Solent University has a strong sporting history, andcounts Paralympic sailing gold medallist Helena Lucas

and world match racing champion and TeamGB Olympic competitor Kate

MacGregor among itsformer students.


SPORT

Matt aims highHigh jumper and former Solent Universitysports studies student Matt Watson, whocompleted his degree this year, was inspiredby the 2012 Olympics.

“I trained with people who went to theOlympics and was caught up with it all – itwas incredible and a massive spectacle,” saidMatt, who was picked for the EnglandAthletics Team this year.

“It inspired me to want to make it to the2015 World Athletics Championships and tothe Rio Olympics in 2016. Being among thebest athletes in the world was amazing. Itgives you a boost.”

Matt, who belongs to SouthamptonAthletics Club, only started high jumping fouryears ago. But he has already competedextensively at international level and iscurrently training for the 2014Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

His aim is to turn professional and he iscurrently seeking sponsorship.

Matt pays credit to the university’s HighPerformance Academy, which has supportedhis sporting career so far.

“They have supported me massivelythrough strength and conditioning trainingand physiotherapy, and I’m going to carry onworking with the academy in future. I’vedeveloped a really good and close workingrelationship with my coach and physio atSolent, and I want that to continue.”

Kate has her sights set on Rio Kate MacGregor, who completed her degreein business management this year, is amember of the university’s High PerformanceAcademy. She sailed in the women’s matchracing event at her first Olympics last yearwith her sister Lucy, finishing seventh.

Match racing was removed from thegames programme after London, so Kate hasbeen training in a new class, the 49erFX, andhas her sights firmly set on Rio 2016.

Paralympic sailing gold for HelenaHelena Lucas, a Solent yacht and powerboatdesign graduate, became Britain’s first everParalympic sailing gold medallist when shetook first place in the 2.4mR class in 2012.

Helena has already begun her campaignfor Rio 2016 and competed in a number ofregattas in her 2.4mR this year, includingInternational Sailing Federation World Cupregattas in Hyeres and Palma as well as theEuropean Sailing Federation Grand Prix Sail forGold regatta in Weymouth.

Helena also competed in the 2.4 OpenWorld Championships at Poole Yacht Club inSeptember and has recently taken on a newchallenge, fronting her own SB20 campaign,allowing her to show off her skills as a teamplayer as well as a solo sailor. Aberdeen AssetManagement Cowes Week was her third timeat the helm of the SB20 Volvo in a majorregatta this year, and she finished fourth in thefleet of 33 competitors

Greg fights his way to the topBoxing champion Greg Bridet has beenfighting his way to sporting success,representing Great Britain at his firstinternational championship this year.

Greg recently completed the second yearof his BA (Hons) Business Managementdegree at the university, before going on tobox for Great Britain at the Laszlo PappMemorial Tournament in Hungary inSeptember.

Greg, who comes from Basingstoke andtrains with his club in Portsmouth, hasalready represented England in nationalevents. He won the Amateur BoxingAssociation of England Heavyweight title inApril 2013 and was selected for the GBdevelopment squad in November 2012. Hehas been training every fortnight with GBcoaches at the English Institute of Sport inSheffield since April this year.

Greg has put his studies on hold for thetime being while he works hard on histraining and development. He has his sightsset on the Rio Olympics in 2016 and isdetermined to do his best to get there.

“That’s the most important thing to me,”said Greg, who has been supported bySolent’s High Performance Academy duringhis time at the university. “Everything I havedone and will do is geared towards Rio. I’veproved myself nationally as one of the best inthe UK and I’m excited to be representing mycountry at international level. But I want toget to elite level.”

Greg said the academy has played a vitalrole in his fitness. “I want to carry on workingwith Solent’s High Performance Academy infuture. They have helped to get me to mycurrent strength and fitness level and theyknow me and my history.”

Everything I havedone and will do isgeared towards Rio

”

“


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

1997Vanessa Charles, nee HarbyBA (Hons) JournalismVanessa met her husband Andrew throughSolent University and within a year thecouple had graduated, moved to Sheffield,got jobs, got engaged, bought a house andmarried. Vanessa and Andrew now have twochildren. Andrew has been a civil servant forthe last 15 years, and Vanessa has started afamily, food and craft blog calledjibberjabberuk.co.uk.

2000Bob HannentBSc (Hons) Media TechnologyAfter graduating Bob worked at Norwegiantelecom's company Telenor, the BBC/Siemensand Ravensbourne College of Design andCommunication, before being head-huntedfor a role in consumer electronics. He playedan important part in the launch of Freesat,freeview HD and YouView, before becomingthe Chief Technology Officer of a small Britishcompany.

2002Mia BäckströmBA (Hons) Media with Cultural StudiesMia returned to her home country of Swedenafter graduating and has been employed inthe television industry as a photographer anda line producer. She is currently working aseditor in chief for a production company,producing a wide range of documentariesand reality TV programs.

Simon Denness BA (Hons) Architectural Technology Simon works as a senior architecturaltechnologist and is currently heading a new

division of the company he works for, dealingwith energy assessments within theconstruction industry.

Phillip WoodsBA (Hons) Political Studies Phillip lives in Cornwall and advisespoliticians on policy in relation toenvironment, planning, transport and waste.Phillip married in 2007 and has a one-year-old son and another on the way. “Without myefforts at Southampton Solent I wouldn’thave had the opportunities I have had inCornwall,” he said.

2003Simon YatesProduct Design with MarketingAfter leaving Southampton Institute (as theuniversity used to be known), Simon wentinto retail but kept seeking a productmanagement role. He’s currently at HP,managing the commercial aspect of somenotebook and desktop computers in achallenging and rewarding role.

2008James AndrewsBA (Hons) Journalism James previously worked for various localstations after leaving the university, and hasmoved to Global Radio as the breakfastnewsreader for Capital South Coast.

Erika SmithBA (Hons) Design StudiesErika worked as a graphic designer in theretail sector after leaving Solent, and is nowworking in Australia. She has visited manycountries on a round-the-world trip and isconsidering relocating to Australiapermanently..

2009Abdulkadir NdanusaMSc Business Information TechnologyAbdulkadir is working as an IT admin andsystems developer at a sub-Saharan telecocompany and eventually hopes to start acompany in mobile-computing research anddeveloping – as well as to study for a PhD at Solent.

Samantha-Louise StallardBSc (Hons) PsychologyAfter graduating from Solent, Samanthaworked in a home for adults with mentalhealth problems, physical disabilities orlearning disabilities. She trained to become asenior and gained an NVQ in health andsocial care, before moving on to provide carein the community for adults with learningdisabilities.

She went on to train as an appliedbehaviour analysis (ABA) therapist, buildingon her psychology degree, and has sinceworked in mainstream and special-needsschools as well as home settings.

Currently studying for a master’s in ABA,Samantha plans to sit the board-certifiedbehaviour analyst exam on completing herstudies. She recently had an article on appliedbehavioural analysis published in PrimaryTeacher Update, an education trademagazine giving teachers practical helpimplementing best practice in the classroom.

2010Catherine Foley BA (Hons) JournalismCatherine is marketing executive for acorporate property finance company inLondon and also works as a freelancejournalist for online magazines, where shehas helped to promote a newly launchediPhone app.

ALUMNI WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

Tasha PertBA (Hons) JournalismAfter leaving Solent, Tasha worked on aplacement and then as Editorial Assistant atonline magazine PRmoment. She now worksas an intern at Universal Music, where shelooks after catalogue music distribution. “It'sa lot of fun, and I'm loving every minute ofit,” she said.

2011Stephanie NeylandBA (Hons) Magazine Journalism andFeature Writing Stephanie did a paid internship at parentingmagazines Baby London, Baby Hampshireand Baby Surrey after graduating, and wasthen in-house editorial assistant. She movedto Toronto in Canada where she is working asa copywriting and communications managerat a small business media agency.

Joel CunningtonBSc (Hons) Web Design and DevelopmentJoel has worked in financial services, healthand fitness and radio advertising and joinedBMG marketing company as a digital accountmanager in 2011.

“I have always enjoyed working in a salesenvironment and had an interest in digitaladvertising and social media,” he said. “Everyday my skills and imagination are put to thetest and I love it.”

Danny LezerBSc (Hons) Web Design and DevelopmentDanny did an internship in London beforemoving to toy company FireStar Toys asbusiness development manager.

“It’s a fantastic company with greatproducts and a huge social presence,” he said.“We've been shortlisted for the NectarBusiness Awards as one of the UK's best small businesses.”

Mohammad SalmanMA Business AdministrationAfter studying at Southampton Solent,Mohammad moved to Dubai and joinedCanon as a sales executive. He then joinedActivisys, and currently manages a consumerelectronics brand called HOMI. “I missSouthampton and the UK, and hope to returnone day,” he said.

Anna KristensenBSc (Hons) Health, Exercise and Physical ActivityAfter graduating with first-class honours,Anna has climbed Kilimanjaro and travelledthe world. She’s currently setting up her owncompany and studying for an MSc in Exerciseand Nutrition Science.

2012Natasha JonesBA (Hons) EnglishTash has released her first novel via Amazonthis year, with £1 from each sale splitbetween Great Ormond Street Hospital andGreenpeace. A lot of the novel was writtenwhile Tash was on her BA English course atSolent, and she is keen to spread the wordabout the good work done by both thesecharities.

James MaltbyBEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft DesignJames works in a small independent navalarchitect’s office in the New Forest, where hewas an intern between the second and thirdyear of his degree.

“I have worked on a range of projectsincluding superyacht refit consultancy,concept work on megayachts and sailingvessels,” said James. “It has shown me howrelevant my degree is to industry.”

David KyleBA (Hons) Football Studies David returned to north Wales aftergraduating and has set up his own footballcoaching company, Explore Football.

2013Chris NightingaleBA (Hons) Sport JournalismChris is working as a sports reporter at the BBCand recently worked with Murray Walker, thevoice of Formula 1, at an event at Goodwood.

“It has been my long-term ambition topresent Formula 1 so I've decided to give it ago,” he said. “The course and facilities at theuniversity prepared me for working in theindustry and I would recommend it toanyone who wants to make a dream reality.”

ALUMNI WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

SolentShowcase


Solent Showcase isSouthampton SolentUniversity’s own art galleryand exhibition space inSouthampton’s emergingcultural quarter

Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11–6pm,Saturday 11–5pm Admission free

Solent Conference Centre, Sir James Matthews Building, 157-187 Above Bar Street,Southampton, SO14 7NN.


MEMBERSHIP NEWS

With thousands of members worldwide, the network aims to maintain lifelong links with past students, promoting graduates’ achievements and fostering contact between old friends and colleagues.

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

• HEADWAY – the alumni magazine• Preferential-rate library membership • Sport Solent – discounted gym membership and watersports courses• Access to Solent SU • The ability to hire rooms at the Solent Conference Centre • Accommodation in student residence over the summer• Access to career services • Alumni discount on postgraduate study• ‘Find a friend’ contact service

To update your details or find out more about what the graduate network has to offer, visit ourwebsite at www.solent.ac.uk/alumni

STAY CONNECTEDWhat have you been up to? Share your story with us at [email protected], or join the SolentGraduate Network online to get in touch, keep up with university news and reconnect with yourfellow graduates:

Find us on Facebook /SolentgraduatenetworkLike the Southampton Solent Graduate Network page on Facebook for the latest news fromthe university.

Follow us on Twitter@SolentUniAlumniDiscover events organised on campus, guest lectures, job opportunities and much more.

Connect on LinkedInSouthampton Solent University Graduate NetworkJoin on LinkedIn to network with our community and discover the latest job offers.

www.solent.ac.uk/alumni

All graduates from Southampton Solent University, Southampton Institute,

Warsash Maritime Centre, Southampton College of Technology,

Southampton College of Higher Education and Southampton College of Art

are entitled to free full membership of Solent Graduate Network.

SOLENT GRADUATE NETWORK – what’s in it for you?One World FairThursday 31 October 20132-6pm Southampton Solent Conference CentreFree entry to all

A celebration of multiculturalSouthampton through music, food,dance and art. The event will welcomeinternational students to the city whilecelebrating their home cultures too.The event takes place during theannual Black History Month, and allstudents, staff and the widercommunity are invited to attend.

Solent Graduation Ball 201323 November 2013Southampton GuildhallTickets £20

The Solent Graduation Ball 2013 is opento all, not just this year’s graduates.Featuring amazing live acts and the bestlocal DJs to keep you partying into thenight, the grad ball is your chance toreturn to Solent with style.

So gather your friends, don your finestdress/suit and celebrate your time atSolent. Visit Solent Students’ Union’swebsite www.solentsu.co.uk orFacebook pagewww.facebook.com/solentsuto book your ticket.

Clothes Show Live6-10 December 2013Birmingham NECTickets from £25www.clothesshowlive.com

Budding fashion and interior designstudents will be proudly showcasingtheir work at this year’s prestigiousfashion event. Staff and students willdisplay key works inspired byupcoming trends, and offer industryinsider advice.

EVENTS


GIFT COLLECTION HEADWAY - Southampton Solent University’s Alumni Magazine

To order your Southampton Solent University gifts, please complete the order form in full and return to: Alumni Office, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, SOUTHAMPTON, SO14 0RB, UK.

All prices include VAT and are valid until September 2014.

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

or out of stock.

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

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

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

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

Please make your cheque payable to ‘Southampton Solent University’.

#DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE QUANTITY P&P* TOTAL

1 Bear without robes £9.00

2 Graduation bear £11.00

3 Skinny silk tie £12.00

4 Wide blade silk tie £12.00

5 Golf umbrella £12.00

6 Ladies’ tassel silk scarf £15.00

7 Rollerball Parker pen in presentation case £7.00

8 Pin badge £1.00

9 University scroll holder £12.00

10 Ladies’ square silk scarf £15.00

*Postage and packaging extra. Please add per item: £2 UK and Europe; £3 outside Europe £Order total:

1 2 3 4

6 8 9

5

107

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

WANT TO DO MORE?

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

www.solent.ac.ukPUBD2012-04-1816

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