Events and networks

Our networking events and groups are designed to help you connect with fellow alumni and grow your career.

Recordings of previous events

In this session, Tara talks about what she has learned about leadership during her career journey at PlayStation London Studio and gives her top leadership tips.

Design Thinking and Ideation with Nat Hawley

Explore the Design Thinking process and how to apply a people-centred approach to solving complex problems.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Julian Stodd

Julian Stodd, author and founder of Sea Salt Learning, talks about model of leaderships and trust within modern socially dynamic organisations.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Edwina Dunn, OBE

BU graduate Edwina Dunn, and founder of the female lead, shares her story from data science entrepreneur to goverenment advisor within the geospatial commission and the center for data ethics and innovation.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Rich Cobbold

Rich Cobbold, a recruiting specialist for Google Cloud discusses how to take a more strategic approach to plan your own career and how to use your natural networks to access the hidden job market.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Dev Mistry

Since graduating Dev Mistry a Virgin Media PR communications professional based in Leicestershire, has become a mentor for 'bme pr pros' which promotes racial diversity in public relationship and communications. In this session he talks about diversity within organisational communications.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with John Sutherland

In this online leadership track event, John Sullivan, who has built an illustrious 45-year career in financial services, shares his anecdotes and observations on leadership, culture and conduct.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Matt Hughes

Matt Hughes, co-founded Aurora Demand explores the traits of an entrepreneur and shares insights from his own entrepreneurial journey.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Laurence Hollingworth, CBE

Larry Hollingworth, CBE, Head of Office for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees joins us to share insights into leadership models. He drew on his career in the armed forces and emergency relief sector.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Mark Thomson

BU graduate Mark Thomson, Director General for UK Visas and Immigration and Her Majesty’s Passport Office joined us to share lessons learned from his career in leadership to date.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Priyanka Sharma

Since graduating from BU, Priyanka Sharma works in learning and development for Places for People, one of the largest property management, development, regeneration and leisure companies in the UK. In this session Priyanka will be looking at workplace culture and how to build your personal brand.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with John Donaldson

John Donaldson, a student at what was then Bournemouth College of Technology joins us to speak about leadership and share some of the lessons he has learned, and the experiences he has had over his long career within the travel sector.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Paige Hobart

Paige Hobart has built a career in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) working with brands including Harvey Nichols, Clarks, Rightmove and The National Lottery. This session will focus on opportunities for women in technology, and Paige’s own insights into overcoming potential barriers.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Andrea Gamson

Andrea Gamson spent 12 years building her credentials in mainstream media - working with global brands, charities and the UK government. She now runs -SocialStarters, a social enterprise that brings professionals together with social change-makers to tackle Inequality, Economic Crisis, and Climate Change, through volunteering, knowledge sharing, upskilling and personal development.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Ranya Bakr

Ranya Bakr is an Advisor for Strengthening the Participation of Women in the Rehabilitation and Peace Process in Iraq. In this talk, Ranya draws on her professional experience and academic research to explore practical solutions to reducing the gender gap in entrepreneurship, using examples from her home country of Iraq.

BU Alumni Leadership Track with Amanda Bronkhorst

Amanda Bronkhorst, the founder of JUST ONE Tree, began in the world of TV Commercial Production. In this session, Amanda will be sharing the journey of launching and growing JUST ONE Tree, with insights for those interested in environmental issues, as well as those interested in a purpose-driven career.

BU Alumni Early Careers Track with Ben Redgell

Ben Redgell kickstarted his career in digital marketing at BD. In this session, Ben will provide an insight into his career to date and why inclusion and diversity is more than just business, it’s personal.

BU Alumni - Lessons in Leadership with Andy Stuart

BU graduate Andy Stuart, former president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, shares his thoughts and insights on people, communication, knowledge, choices and networking.

Alumni events

Sep
16

BU is turning 30 and we’re having a party!

BU is turning 30 and we're having a party! If you graduated between 1990 and 1995 we'd love to see you at Dylan's on Friday 16 September. Spread the word and book your free place here.

Virtual Open Day

Oct
12

Virtual Postgraduate Open Day

Find out what studying a BU Master's or research degree is really like at this Virtual Open Day. Join us 2pm-5pm (UK time) and get your questions answered.

Open Day

Nov
30

Postgraduate Open Day

Join us 2pm-5pm to find out more about postgraduate study, hear about funding options and talk to academic staff about our courses.

BU Alumni – Dorset Meet-ups

Bournemouth beach This group exists to connect BU alumni who stay and build their careers in the region.

We hold two breakfast events a year, in April and September, at BU and at host venues around the county. Events provide opportunities to network and hear from guest speakers.

To hear about Dorset-based alumni events please complete our online alumni details form and tick the ‘university and alumni events’ box within the preferences section. Be sure to also tick ‘email’ as a means of contact.

BU Alumni – London Meet-ups

Group talking This group is designed to bring together BU alumni now living and/or working in London. Following our first event in summer 2019, we are now holding an after-work drinks and networking event in June each year.

To hear about London-based alumni events please complete our online alumni details form and tick the ‘university and alumni events’ box within the preferences section. Be sure to also tick ‘email’ as a means of contac

BU Alumni – Bristol Meet-ups

This group is designed to bring together BU alumni now living and/or working in Bristol, with a particular focus on the creative industries. Meet-ups take place once a year and include after-work drinks with opportunities to network and hear from a guest speaker.

To hear about Bristol-based alumni events please complete our online alumni details form and tick the ‘university and alumni events’ box within the preferences section. Be sure to also tick ‘email’ as a means of contact.

Chinese alumni group

Chinese football alumni We have an active alumni network in China, made up of around 300 graduates. Events included dinners and social activities, all led by our China Country Manager and supported by volunteer alumni.

Events take place in the following cities:

Beijing
Shanghai
Chengdu
Guangzhou
Wuhan

Find out more about a recent series of alumni networking dinners. To get involved please complete our online alumni details form and tick the ‘university and alumni events’ box within the preferences section. Be sure to also tick ‘email’ as a means of contact

NCCA in China

This group is for graduates from the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) now living or working in China. Group members include those working for animation companies such as BaseFx, Dexter China, Digital Domain China and Pixomondo. The group operates via WeChat and exists to share information on industry trends and employment opportunities. Alumni who are hoping to enter the industry are welcome to join.

Contact Lei Yang to find out more and to join the WeChat group.

SportBU

Sport on the beach If sport was a key part of your university experience, you can stay connected via the SportBU alumni group. By signing up, you will receive the weekly e-newsletter ‘The Huddle’ during term times. This provides the latest TeamBU news, fixtures and results. In time, we hope to develop the group to include opportunities to meet and compete with current students.

To sign up, complete our online alumni details form and tick to receive ‘SportBU news via The Huddle weekly e-newsletter’ within the preferences section.

Taiwanese alumni group

Group talking in park Our Taiwanese alumni group is new for 2019. We plan to hold two events during the year, in Taipei and Kaohsiung. The events are being designed with support from locally based alumni. They will be largely sociable and designed to help Taiwanese alumni from any year or subject of study to get together and share their experiences.

To find out more please complete our online alumni details form and tick the ‘university and alumni events’ box within the preferences section. Be sure to also tick ‘email’ as a means of contact.