Cranfield School of Management Distinguished Alumni Award

Professor Joe Nellis CBE (PhD in Leadership and Management 1990)
Professor of Global Economy and Deputy Dean of Cranfield School of Management

"Receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award is a tremendous honour and one of the highlights of my career. I feel so fortunate to have spent over 40 years doing a job I love in a place that truly feels like home."

For over four decades, Professor Joe Nellis CBE has been a cornerstone of Cranfield School of Management, inspiring generations of students and advancing the field of economics through his exceptional contributions to education, research, and leadership. He is currently Professor of Global Economy and Deputy Dean of Cranfield School of Management.

Since joining Cranfield in 1984, Joe has taught every MBA cohort, leaving an indelible mark on thousands of students. As a Professor of Global Economy since 1993, he established Cranfield’s Economics Group, which achieved global recognition, including a No. 1 ranking by the Financial Times for MBA economics teaching. His groundbreaking research led to the creation of the Halifax and Nationwide House Price Indices, shaping UK economic analysis.

Joe has held numerous senior roles, including Director of Graduate Programmes, Academic Dean, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor, contributing significantly to the School’s development. His dedication was recognised in 2023 when he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to higher education, economics, business, and charity.

Beyond academia, Joe’s philanthropic efforts reflect his values of global impact and community. From teaching in Ghana as a Voluntary Service Overseas volunteer to building a modern school on the banks of the Volta River, his deep connection to the country he calls his "second home" underscores his commitment to education and development.

An inspiring leader, tireless educator, and dedicated philanthropist, Joe embodies the values of excellence, innovation, and service that define Cranfield University. His legacy is one of profound impact on students, the School, and society.

Catriona Laing CB (MBA 1996)

Special Representative for Somalia and Head of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia

Catriona has worked in diplomacy, development and international relations for 35 years and has wide-ranging foreign policy and development experience with particular expertise in fragile states/conflict and sub-Saharan Africa. In her current role, Catriona briefs the UN Security Council and supports the country to deal with the food crisis, climate change, terrorism and violence.

She has served as British High Commissioner to Nigeria and was the British Ambassador to Zimbabwe from 2014 until 2018. She has also held several positions in government policy and international development, notably as Deputy Head of the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, Director for Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice and the Head of the Department for International Development in Sudan.

Catriona joined the FCDO in 2012 as the UK’s senior civilian representative to the NATO operation in Southern Afghanistan. Here she led the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand, Afghanistan and represented the UK government in Southern Afghanistan. She has also headed the United Nations Development Office in Somalia.

Catriona supports organisations and initiatives that progress opportunities for girls and women to reach their potential, live in freedom, and exercise their rights. She was awarded The Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2012 New Year Honours.

Chris Ashton (MBA 1996)

CEO and Managing Director, Worley

Chris Ashton is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Worley, a leading global provider of professional project and asset services operating in nearly 50 countries worldwide through a diverse workforce of over 53,000 professional, consulting, engineering, project management, and field-based people.

After being in the role of Chief Operating Officer since 2018, and appointed to CEO in February 2020, Chris’ leadership is marked by an acceleration of the company’s transformation strategy – putting sustainability, passion, skills, and strongly held values and beliefs at the centre of some of the biggest challenges on the planet.

Leading the brightest minds with the best technology, Chris is a passionate advocate for STEM learning and believes the engineers of the future have a crucial role in developing game-changing technologies and solutions, supporting Worley’s purpose of delivering a more sustainable world. He is inspired to see people succeed, develop and grow to their full potential, motivated by knowing what they do makes a real difference.

Chris holds a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree with honors from the University of Sunderland and a Master of Business Administration degree from Cranfield School of Management. He has completed the Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chris said: “My work journey began 40 years ago. These years have passed by more quickly than I can comprehend, and I am blessed to have been influenced, shaped, led, supported - and I dare say cajoled - by many incredible people to whom I’m grateful. In their own way, they helped get me to where I am and become who I am today. To be recognised with the Distinguished Alumni Award came as a complete surprise. It's an honour to be considered and recognition of all those who’ve been part of my journey. A big thanks to them all.”

Kito De Boer (MBA 1985)

Business Leader and Entrepreneur                

Kito has 40 years of experience, living and working in the Netherlands, US, UK, Singapore, India, Dubai and Jerusalem. He built his career as a Strategic Advisor to the Private Sector and Government. Kito worked with McKyinse for nearly 30 years, where he founded the India, Middle East and Government practices and lived in Dubai for most of the past 20 years.

He also held a diplomatic role for 3 years as the Head of Mission of the Office of the Quartet and Managing Director of the Initiative for the Palestinian Economy.

Kito received an MBA from Cranfield University and an MSc in Management Sciences (as well as an honorary doctorate) from Loughborough University of Science and Technology. Kito serves on the Board of the Lewa Trust in Kenya which is dedicated to wildlife conservation, and is also on the Board of Mercy Corps, an NGO focused on helping the most vulnerable populations such as refugees.

Kito is an Angel Investor and Advisor to 5 start-ups.

Sanjay Kapoor (MBA 1997)

Business Leader and Entrepreneur

He has established himself as a global leader in telecoms and allied industry. He remains one of the key leaders in building Bharti Airtel Ltd from being one of many players in the industry, to being the number one integrated telecom player in India. Sanjay’s leadership extends well beyond the confines of Airtel, as he has elevated himself as industry spokesperson globally. For over 13 years, he has played an active role in various industry forms such as GSMA, CII, COAI and NASSCOM. He has been a Board & Executive committee member of GSMA (Telecom’s global forum); Board member of Indus Towers (world’s largest telecom tower company); Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (India’s largest integrated media company) and PVR (India’s largest movie exposition company). In 2012, he was declared the “Telecom person of the year” at the Voice and Data, Telecom Leadership Awards.

Since July 2015, Sanjay has pursued a ‘plural career’ – including entrepreneurship, consulting, investing in and mentoring early-stage ventures, and board memberships. He is currently an active member of the board at Saudi Telecom Company, (GCC’s leading Telco); VLCC (India’s largest wellness company); Tanla Platforms Ltd. (India’s largest communications platforms company) Tech-Connect Retail Pvt. Ltd. and OnMobile Global Ltd. He is also a Senior Advisor to Boston Consulting Group, Circles.life (Asia’s first digital MVNO platform, Singapore), WeLink Communications (Next-gen broadband services provider, Delaware) and Tanla Platforms Ltd.

Alongside his Cranfield MBA, Sanjay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Hons.) from Delhi University, and is also a Graduate of The Wharton Advanced Management Program.

Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, FCA, FCIB (MBA 2005)

Chief Executive Officer, FirstBank Group

Dr Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of First Bank of Nigeria Limited and its subsidiaries (comprising FBNBank UK, FBNBank Congo DR, FBNBank Ghana, FBNBank Senegal, FBNBank Guinea, FBNBank Gambia, FBNBank Sierra Leone and First Pension Custodian), is an accomplished professional with distinctive national and international experience in commercial banking, investment banking, development finance; banks and other financial institutions’ audit and management/risk consulting. His career spans over 25 years and includes significant executive management responsibility/oversight roles.

Prior to his appointment as CEO of FirstBank Group in January 2016, he was the Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Bank. Adesola has also held several leadership roles including Director & Chief Financial Officer of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Senior Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer at Citibank Nigeria Limited, Senior Manager at KPMG and Manager at Arthur Andersen Nigeria.

Over the course of his career, he has garnered expertise in diverse areas of management including financial and risk management, treasury, performance management, strategy design and execution, Information Technology and Compliance. 

Adesola holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Adesola attended Cranfield School of Management as a “British Chevening Scholar.” He is also a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

Getting to know you with Dr Adesola Adeduntan

Dr Adesola Adeduntan answers questions from staff and students.

Quick questions

Dr Adesola Adeduntan answers some quick questions.

• Kester Scrope (MBA 2001)
• Zak Hydari (MBA 2004)
• Omobola Johnson (DBA 2013)
• Grenville Turner (EMBA 1992)
• Dominic von Trotha Taylor (MBA 1990)
• Mayank Patel (Business Growth and Development Programme 2001)
• Tony Rice (EMBA 1990)
• Antony Jenkins (MBA 1988)
• Warren East (EMBA 1990)
• Andy Bond (MBA 1993)
• Nigel Doughty (MBA 1984)
• Ted Tuppen (MBA 1981)
• Ian Odgers (MBA 1966)
• Elena Ambrosiadou (MBA 1988)
• Robert Wright (MBA 1982)
• Andy Harrison (MBA 1983)
• John McFarlane OBE (MBA 1975)