From his business and marketing degree at Anglia Ruskin University, to managing a multi-national company with over £15 million turnover and setting up his own new business, David Hyett has brought exceptional skills, capabilities and dedication to both his studies and his career.

It is a career which has progressed meteorically as employers recognised his outstanding talent and leadership qualities. His previous business partner, Nick Simpson, remarked that David, "has a natural talent for business and for making money - he's an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He doesn't just have a nose for business - he has the eyes, ears and a brain full of ideas! He can smell profit a mile away!"

David's natural talent was honed and refined during his time studying with us. As a BA (Hons) Business Administration graduate, David joined MBO, a direct marketing agency, in 2001. Success was almost immediate as he reactivated their biggest account with Royal Mail (then Consignia) increasing profits by £10,000 a month, and completing his CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing while he was with the company. After 3 years of unprecedented success for MBO, David was appointed as Marketing Manager at MR Plastic in 2004, where he increased yearly sales by 25% and started their highly successful mail order website project. It wasn't long before David's burgeoning reputation attracted the attention of the highly regarded industry giant, Excalibur Group Ltd and in 2005 David was installed as their new Marketing Manager. His promotion was swift and impressive as he made board level as Marketing Director in just two years. He was the youngest board member and achievements catapulted him to becoming Managing Director by 2009: the youngest in Excalibur history!

When he first joined the telecommunications company, part of the group (then a mobile contract retailer), had a single website struggling to sell mobile phone contracts in a crowded marketplace. Lost amidst the competition online, both the purpose and design of the site were holding the company back. David's study of business and marketing with us proved invaluable at this stage. He began by applying this knowledge to the company, looking at the USP before conducting extensive market research which led him to switch the focus of Excalibur's online operation towards selling phone accessories rather than contracts. This resulted in the launch of ten websites over a five year period that now turn over between £1.5-£2 million a year. Under David's guidance, the company's distribution business also flourished, increasing its turnover by 25%. Overall, in the period that David has worked there, Excalibur has doubled its turnover and dramatically expanded its product range.

With his intricate knowledge of the web, David also set up various lead generation programmes for contract sales direct to businesses and increased the number of monthly connections year on year. His efforts have made the company Vodafone's number one partner in the UK. As well as securing a five year contract with Vodafone, David has made Excalibur their lead partner on an exclusive new SME converged telephone system, One Net and set up exclusive partnerships with RIM (Blackberry). This helped to ensure that Excalibur's newest company, Excalibur Studio, won the 'Growing Business of the Year' for Essex in 2009.

Links with Anglia Ruskin University have continued and ensured the expansion of the business and its trade on an international scale. David's strong links and contacts with us were instrumental in securing two Knowledge Transfer projects with our University which gave Excalibur the expertise it needed to launch markets in France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and Ireland. As the company's relationship with our University has grown, David has been ever keen to create opportunities for our students and graduates through our various business support programmes such as mentoring, internships, the STEP Programme, KEEP and KTP and to contribute to the future success of the Business School by offering to be involved as a guest lecturer.

David recognises that he wouldn't be where he is today without the knowledge, guidance and support of our University, both as a student, graduate and entrepreneurial businessman. Indeed, it was his degree at Anglia Ruskin University which allowed him to apply the marketing principles he studied to a real life business environment and gave him the confidence to believe in what he was implementing. Now he draws on both his studies and experience in the search for further opportunities and in October 2010 he sold his stake in Excalibur to form his own company - Foneshop.com Ltd. In the first year his turnover was £1.2m and he is on track for £2.5m this year. Constantly pushing himself to thrive within new business environments and challenges, David faces a future of entrepreneurial success.

Irrespective of all his success in business, David continues to perform with remarkable enthusiasm and effectiveness and approaches problems as opportunities, taking a proactive and inventive approach to business challenges. He has helped to inspire others by his success, and it is in recognition of his work in continuing to create opportunities for our students, his hard work, dedication and all round expertise which has greatly benefited and contributed to both our University and the local community which makes him a worthy winner of this year's Alumni Success in Business Award.

Following the selection of the 2012 winner, nominations are now open for the 2013 award, which will be sponsored by Luminus Group. This prestigious Alumni award gives an opportunity for public recognition and celebration of those alumni judged to have been particularly successful in their fields or professions, especially where their study at Anglia Ruskin has contributed to their success. Please view the selection criteria by clicking on the link below.

Nominations may be made by alumni or staff of Anglia Ruskin University. In addition, the families and friends of alumni may also submit nominations.

The award will be presented at the appropriate graduation ceremony with the successful candidate being invited to lunch with the Vice Chancellor.

Nominations for the 2013 award need to be received by 12 July 2013. Click on the link below for a nomination form.