Alumni in the media October to December 2020

Here is your quarterly summary of some of the successes of Cranfield alumni:

• Lord Karan Bilimoria (BGP 1998), President of the CBI is quoted in the Financial Times, following the announcement of a new campaign, ‘Change the Race Ratio’, which calls upon businesses to set and publish targets for improved racial and ethnic diversity at board, executive committee and senior management levels.
• Alan Brown (Diploma in Aircraft Design 1951, Honorary Grad 2001) has been named by the National Academy of Engineering (USA) as the winner of the 2020 J. C. Hunsaker Award, for his innovative contributions to the design of commercial and military aircraft and leadership of the team that developed the F-117 Stealth Fighter. The award is presented once every five years.
• Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew (BGP 2006 / 2010) are celebrating the 18^th birthday of their firm, Go Ape.
• Simon Morris (MSc Transport Studies 1984) has been appointed as Senior Vice President at Skylark Consulting Group, who provide management consulting services to the aviation and other transport-related sectors.
• John Blyzinskyj (MBA 1987) has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer at Avotus Corporation, an IT solutions provider.
• Amira Al-Wahaibi (MSc Strategic Marketing 2020) features in a Business Live article discussing how her employer, Bank Muscat, facilitated her studies at Cranfield. 
• Jaime Fernandez Fisac (MSc Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control 2012) has been appointed as an Assistant Professor at Princeton University, USA, specialising in robotics, control and artificial intelligence.
• Amrit Peter Kalsi has been appointed as CEO of Clipper Bulk.
• Chris Ashton (MBA 1996) features in an interview on the new approach he is driving for Worley as the new CEO, stating that the global engineering group’s future lies in ‘delivering a more sustainable world.’
• Kara Owen (MSc International Human Resource Management 2017), British High Commissioner for Singapore, has been named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2020 (Diplomatic and Overseas) for services to British foreign policy.
• Mohsen Ahmad (MSc Logistics and Supply Chain Management 2007) has been ranked #8 in the Logistics News ‘Power 25’ list of CEOs in the Middle East.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) has been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to combat hunger in conflict-affected areas. Three MSc Air Transport Management alumni are part of the WFP team: Denys Saltanov (Head, Quality Assurance Unit, Aviation Service, Supply Chain), Karishma Kaur (Chief Air Transport Officer), Manel Bejaoui (Regional Aviation Coordinator Middle East and CIS) Discussing the recognition, Denys Saltanov said: “There is no doubt that Aviation played a critical role in the response, maintaining humanitarian cargo and passenger corridors when regular flights were on hold.”
• Hania Mohiuddin (MSc Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control 2015) features in an interview with the Evening Standard, discussing her role as an aerospace systems engineer.  
• Omera Khan (MSc Supply Chain Management) has been appointed Executive Strategy Advisor at Supply Chain Academy, where she will be supporting the design and implementation of new courses and content.
• David Lansanah (MSc Marketing and Product Management) has been appointed Head of Solutions at GLG.
• Mundi Fomukong (MSc Electronic System Design 1992) is featured in an International Policy Digest article on intellectual property and licensing laws.
• Adam Zucconi (MSc Automotive Engineering 2018) features in an interview, discussing the new Hydrogen Fuel Cell training course he has founded which was launched this year at the MIRA Technology Institute.
• Frank Pleszak (MSc Bioaeronautics 1984) has written a blog post reflecting on his memories of flying in the Jetstream and other planes during his time at Cranfield – check it out for some great throwback pictures of Cranfield from the 1980s.
• Abdullahi Kassim (MSc Thermal Power 2013) has been appointed as one of three new Executive Directors at Niger Delta Power Holding Company.
• Macauley Atasie (Executive Programme, Cranfield School of Management) has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director at African Alliance Insurance. 
• Ben Wishart (MBA 1992) features in an article published by People’s Daily (China), discussing the implementation of new technologies and artificial intelligence in e-commerce by Ahold Delhaize, where he is a member of the Executive Committee responsible for leading on the company’s tech strategy and solutions.
• Kristina Lärfars (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2005), Lead Spacecraft Engineer at Telenor Satellite, has published an article discussing the impact of eclipses on satellites.
• Pierre Jessua (MSc Underwater Technology 1986), General Manager of Total Uganda is featured in an interview published by The East African, discussing the issues and timelines before Uganda begins exporting crude oil.
• Adesola Adeduntan (MBA 2005) has become a member of the Bretton Woods Committee. The Committee convenes leaders, stakeholders and policy makers to address issues of global finance. Membership is by invitation only, and Dr Adenduntan’s invitation is in recognition of his leadership of FirstBank Nigeria and efforts to promote financial inclusion.
• Ava Patricia Avila (PhD Defence and Security 2016) writes in Minda News, discussing gender balance in peacekeeping and conflict prevention.
• João Correia (PhD Aerodynamics 2016) features in Eco, after his plans to establish a new Portuguese Formula 1 team were blocked by the signing of the Concord Agreement by existing teams, which requires any new team entering the sport to pay a £2m fee.
• Cranfield alumnus J. Paul Hodgson has written a book 'Britain's Glorious Aircraft Industry: 100 Years of Success, Setback and Change' which is set to be published at the end of this year.
• James McEuen (MBA 2001) and Dougie Allen (MSc Defence Management and Technology 2003), founders of Great British Prawns feature in The Aquaculturists, discussing increasing production efficiently while focusing on both animal welfare and sustainability.
• Dr Sarah Qureshi (PhD Aerospace 2016) features in an interview published by OyeYeah News, discussing her work and research.
• Lucy Giles features in an exhibition, 100 First Women Portraits, at Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery – showcase 100 trailblazing 21^st-centry women. Lucy studied an MSc in Military Studies at Cranfield, and was the first woman to be made commander at Sandhurst New College Military Academy. She won the Inspirational Award and the Woman of the Year award at the Women in Defence Awards 2016, is an ambassador for First Women UK and was in the Times 500 People of Influence in 2016.
• Daniel George (MBA 2014) has been shortlisted as a finalist for the MBA Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Association of MBAs Excellence Awards 2021, for his company StepEx. The winners are set to be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on 29 January 2021.
• Jonathan Bell (MBA 1993) features in Wealth Manager’s list of the Top 100 leading fund selectors across the UK and Channel Islands.
• Radha Karnik (MSc Finance and Management 2005) is set to appear as a guest speaker in a webinar on operational risk and resiliency, hosted by the South East Asia chapter of the Risk Management Institute of Australasia on 26 November.
• Daniela Door (MBA 2009) is set to be a guest speaker on a webinar discussing responsible investments, hosted by El Comercio and Prima AFP.
• Genevieve Pearl Duncan Obuobi features in an interview published by African Eye Report, discussing her career path.
• Chris Gear (MSc Aerospace Design 1984) has been appointed as Project Director for FlyZero by the Aerospace Technology Institute.
• Peter Kearney (MSc Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics 2012, currently studying for a PhD in Transport Systems) has been appointed Chair of the COOPANS Alliance Board.
• Libby Jackson (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2003), Human Exploration Programme Manager at the UK Space Agency, is taking part in a live Facebook Q&A tomorrow hosted by the National Space Centre.
• Gary Beecroft (MBA 1990) features in an article published by Global Trailer Magazine, discussing growth forecasts for the truck trailer market.
• Anne Kabagambe (Leadership and Management Development Programme 2012) has been appointed to Barrick Gold Corporation’s Board of Directors. 
• Dr Lynette Nusbacher (Defence Strategic Leadership 2010) features in a bio published by Washington Blog.
• Silvia Calvello (MBA 1996) is head of a new banking division, Private Investment Banking, created by Crédit Agricole CIB and Indosuez Wealth Management dedicated to ultra high net worth individuals and family holding companies.
• Nico Buchholz (MSc Air Transport 1990) has been appointed to the Advisory Board at Drone Delivery Canada.
• Paul Patel (MSc Marketing and Management), President and CEO of Elite Hotel Management Group, has been elected Chairman of the Board for American Pride Bank and American Bancorp Inc.
• Jason Hill (PhD School of Engineering 2004), Founder, Hill Helicopters, features in an interview published by HeliHub.
• Opha Pauline Dube (PhD Applied Remote Sensing 1989) has been named as one of a group of 15 scientists, appointed by the UN Secretary General to write the 2023 Global Sustainable Development Report.
• Alexander Rumson (PhD Water 2019) has been appointed as the new Innovation Lead at Sulmara Subsea.
• Peter Kearney (MSc Human Factors and Safety Assessment in Aeronautics 2012, current student PhD Transport Systems), Chief Executive, Irish Aviation Authority, has been appointed Chair of COOPANS Alliance – an international partnership between air navigation service providers in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Sweden and Ireland.  
• Yewande Akinola MBE (MSc Innovation and Design for Sustainability 2012) is set to appear as a speaker on a panel of experts, chaired by broadcaster and journalist Fiona Bruce, at The Engineering Review of the Year. 
• Nadeem Siam (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2010), CEO and Founder, Fund Ourselves, has been named in TechRound’s BAME 50 under 50 Entrepreneurs 2020 list - coming in at number 16 out of over 500 applicants.
• Nicci Daly (MSc Motorsport and Engineering Management 2013) features in an interview with OTB Sports, discussing the balance between life and sport as a semi-pro hockey player.
• Susan Jason (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 1995, PhD Aeronautics 1999) has been named as one of the winners in the 2020 TechWomen100 Awards – showcasing 100 remarkable women working in the technology sector.
• Charlotte Bewick (MSc Astronautics and Space Engineering 2009) features in an article discussing her career as an aerospace engineer. 
• Jason Hill (PhD School of Engineering 2004) features in an article published by Resilient Aviation on the company’s focus on building in Britain.
• Katie Paxton-Fear (PhD Defence and Security 2021) discusses the importance of diversity in cybersecurity in an interview published by Wall Street Journal publication, WSJ Pro.
• Jan Hennigs (PhD Water 2020) features in an interview with the International Water Association.
• Carole Sanz-Paris (MSc Advanced Materials 1997) has been appointed to a newly-founded advisory board at SCIO Capital.
• Dr Nneka Abulokwe OBE (DBA 2013) has been featured on Powerlist 2021.
• David T. Ząbecki (PhD Military Science, Management and Technology 2004) has written an article telling the story of Malin Craig, “the man who laid the foundations for the success of George C. Marshall in the Second World War.”
• Ahmad Lawan (PhD Applied Remote Sensing 1991), Senate President in Nigeria, is featured in Naija Vibe.
• Vincent Choi (MBA 2011) features in an interview published by TechRound, discussing his business (Pomelo Pay) and his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Dr Yashwanth Bandari (PhD Manufacturing 2016) features in an article discussing additive manufacturing processes at Meltio, where he is a Product Manager.
• Sósanna Ní Dhubháin (MSc Motorsport Engineering and Management 2011), Senior Composite Designer Engineer at F1 Team BWT Racing Point, features in an interview discussing her career path and her Irish roots in West Kerry. 
• Jesús Fernández (MSc Geographical Information Management 2018) has been awarded an End of Degree Award by the Ministry of Universities in Spain, in recognition of his academic achievements during his studies at the University of Cordoba in the 2015-16 academic year.
• Moono Mupotola (Leadership and Management Development Programme 2012) has been appointed Country Manager, Zimbabwe Country Office at African Development Bank.
• Adel Al Redha (MSc Air Transport Management 1997) has been featured across multiple news outlets after Emirates Airline published a press release regarding his receipt of the Distinguished Aviation Alumnus Award 2020.
• Delphine Gardère (MSc Strategic Marketing 2010) has been appointed as the new CEO of Barbancourt.
• Mo Willan (MSc by Research in Marketing 2003), Dean and Professor of Marketing at Hult International Business School, features in an interview with Poets & Quants after being named on their 2020 Best Undergraduate Business Professors list.
• Mark Goldsack (MA Military Studies 2005), Head of the Department for International Trade Defence and Security Exports, features in Global Military Communications, discussing UK defence exports. 
• Vincent Choi (MBA 2011) features in an article published by EU-startups.com after his company, Pomelo Pay, secured a €2.3 million investment in a seed funding round led by Force Over Mass.
• Dr Chiara Palla (PhD Aerospace 2017) reflects on her time working on the European Space Agency’s European Student Earth Orbiter (ESEO) mission while she was at Cranfield – a project which involved over 600 students from ESA member states, and is now drawing to a close.
• Karen Adie (MSc Management 2014) shares her insights on financial services for African retailers in an article published by FinTech Times.
• Nick Read (MBA 1998), who joined the Post Office as CEO last year, features in an interview with The Grocer discussing the impact of the pandemic and his mission of making the Post Office commercially viable without government subsidies.
• Antony Lovell (MSc Logistics and Transportation 1997) has written an article published by Elite Business Magazine: ‘Planning for the unplannable – how to master the ability to react to the unexpected’.
• John Randall-Page (MSc Aerospace Design 1977) has been presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who.
• Sarah Black-Smith (MSc Operations Excellence 2016), Head of Factory Operations at Siemens, features in part one of a list of ‘30 Inspiring Women in Manufacturing’ published by The Manufacturer and KTN with the aim of inspiring the next generation of female engineers.
• Professor Val Ekechukwu (PhD Energy Conservation 1988) has been appointed Vice Chancellor at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).
• Davinia Collyer (PhD Health 2004) has written an article on the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s new ‘database of databases’ for patent searches.
• Peter Caddick-Adams (PhD Cranfield Defence and Security 2008) has come 4^th in the British Army Military Book of the Year 2020, for his book ‘Sand and steel: a new history of D-Day’
• Sarah Coleman (MBA 1993) has written a piece on project lessons from lockdown for the Association of Project Management.
• Dr Ayotunde Coker (MSc Engineering and Management of Manufacturing Systems 1989) features in Tech Economy Nigeria in an article on his recent Distinguished Manufacturing Alumnus Award from Cranfield.

If you've been featured in the media, don't forget to share your successes with us so we can include them in our quarterly roundup. Email our Alumni Communications team including a link to the web site or press release.

Check out last quarter's summary (July - September 2020) here.