2011 - Paul Watson

Paul Watson graduated from Anglia Ruskin in 2007 with a BA (Hons) in Primary and Community Care and Specialist Practice (School Nurse). He is now working as a Team Leader in Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, managing Health Visitors and School Nurses.

It was never Paul's intention to become a nurse, seeing his future instead in the military or the police. He decided to give the NHS a try following periods of work with the Cambridgeshire Constabulary as a Special Constable and the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force as a Detachment Commander. Having started in a Medical Admissions Unit - a fast paced, busy, noisy, exciting place he was offered his Registered Nurse training course at university. On completion of his RN training Paul moved into his local Walk-in-Centre before returning to study, completing his degree in 2007 and moving on to have now completed his PGCE.

Never one to sit back and do nothing, Paul soon started to write articles for publication in local and national journals having over 30 articles published between 2005 and 2011. This writing became a bit of a bug, as well as an opportunity for him to be able to complete health promotion on a larger scale than that of his normal day job, ensuring that many public health agendas can be achieved simultaneously with his other duties.

Following on from his first qualification in engineering Paul is always quick to see new ways of working and innovative approaches to problems. Having designed several new medical devices and nursing models he is now working on a portable Asthma Spacer Device which is being developed in collaboration with Health Enterprise East. This new spacer 'The Pocketflow' has had to go through many stages to end up with a product and evidence base that gives it credibility in the medical field. There has been extensive computer modelling as well as product testing by independent specialists. These tests have shown that the product is as good as, if not better than, current items on the market. Paul is currently working with a manufacturing company, ViVO Smart Medical Devices, who wish to take this product to market, hoping to have a production model by the end of 2011. This new device has enormous potential and could significantly change the lives of those suffering with asthma, not to mention the cost savings to the NHS.

The potential impact of his device on those living with asthma and his drive to succeed make him an excellent role model for our students and is the reason why Paul is a worthy winner of the 2011 Alumni Success in Business Award.

2010 - Alexandra Pringle

We are delighted to announce that Alexandra Pringle is the winner of the 2010 Alumni Success in Business Award, sponsored by Luminus Group.

Alexandra graduated from our University in 1975 and went on to receive an Honorary Doctor of Literature award in 1999. She is Editor-in-Chief of Bloomsbury Publishing where she heads up the company's Adult Editorial Department, secures the rights to literary gems from every conceivable genre and edits her own list of authors.

Having failed to get an interview for University, Alexandra took a secretarial course at Cambridge Tech, later being accepted onto a joint honours degree course in English and English History at Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology which was later to become Anglia Ruskin University. It was at this time that she got involved with the first Cambridge Poetry Festival, which developed her taste for writing - and writers.

She began her career in publishing at the magazine Art Monthly in 1976, where she was Editorial Assistant. Two years later she joined Virago Press where she edited the famous Virago Modern Classic Series, becoming Editorial Director in 1984, then part of the management team to steer Virago through their management buy-out from Cape, Chatto & Bodley Head. In 1990 she joined Hamish Hamilton as Editorial Director and four years later became a literary agent. She joined Bloomsbury in 1999 and her list of authors includes many household names, including Barbara Trapido and Margaret Atwood.

Alexandra is now an ambassador for Anglia Ruskin University, helping to raise its profile as a publishing course provider. She has also helped to highlight the opportunities available within Anglia Ruskin's creative writing and publishing programmes, to show some of the hugely diverse ways that people can get into publishing or be published.

Her drive to succeed, resultant outstanding success as an international publisher and excellent role model for our students is the reason why Alexandra is a worthy winner of the 2010 Alumni Success in Business Award.

2009 - Tom Bool

We are delighted to announce that our 2009 Alumni Success in Business Award winner is Tom Bool, who graduated from Anglia Ruskin in 2006 with a BA (Hons) European Business degree and is the Managing Director of Norwich-based Integro Languages.

Whilst studying here Tom discovered a taste for an international lifestyle, and a passion for languages, developing his French to near native fluency whilst spending close to two years in France between university and various work placements and jobs. After qualifying as a language teacher in Spain, he cultivated his interest in languages further still, deciding that he wanted to create his own business, doing it in his own way using his own ideas.

The result was Integro Languages, a translation agency based in Norwich providing translation and interpretation services in discerning niche markets. Tom works with a wide range of clients in both the public and private sector and having increased his customer base to include international clients, Tom has now launched Integro Languages France, the company's first overseas office, as well as expanding to offer Braille transcription, British sign language and even more language translation options.

His drive to set up a business so soon after graduation, make a success of it and then expand internationally should be an inspiration to us all and the reason why he is a worthy winner of the 2009 Alumni Success in Business Award.

2008 - Chan Abraham

Chan Abraham graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2001 with an MSc in Leadership in Management and is the Group Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire-based Luminus Group.

The idea for his business came to him when he was at a local government conference in 1997 and learned that much needed investment in public housing services was unlikely to be forthcoming. In 1998 Chan initiated his vision for change - one that would generate extensive community engagement, the creation of new hope for deteriorating public housing services, and generate substantial financial resources for the benefit of local people. The result was the creation of a company called Huntingdonshire Housing Partnership, known as HHP, and a wide-ranging consultation exercise to explain to 10,000 tenants the possibilities if HHP acquired their homes. Simultaneously, he persuaded the government that housing stock acquisition was in the best interests of the whole community. The idea was for Chan Abraham to raise substantial new money through private finance specifically for Huntingdonshire District Council to invest in improving the quality of life for local people: in community areas such as safety, health, development, leisure, education and in supporting HHP to build new homes. His vision was that the focused investment of such resources, supplementing the work of mainstream agencies, could make a huge impact for the long-term benefit of the local community.

In 1999 the tenants voted overwhelmingly to support the acquisition of their homes by HHP and in March 2000 Chan, as its first Chief Executive, authorised payment of £65m to Huntingdonshire District Council and the work really got under way to make that future hope a present reality.

However, this was only the beginning and although the core aim was to focus on the needs of existing tenants, the rapidly changing environment meant that means would have to be found to build new homes for rent. This need, and the lack of public funds, were among the drivers for the creation of the Luminus Group. Luminus Group now leads the way in socially responsible business in the east of England, focusing on providing homes, employment and real estate services and building sustainable communities.

Since that time Chan has received awards too numerous to mention from organisations as diverse as RoSPA, the BBC, National Business Awards, Housing Excellence Awards and Luminus bas been recognised in 2008 at 16th place in the Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. (Update, in 2009 Lumnius has moved up to 12th place).

Chan Abraham's success in business, combined with a strong social awareness, is inspirational and the reason why he is a worthy winner of the 2008 Alumni Success in Business Award.

2007 - Andre Senyk

We are delighted to announce Andre Senyk as the well deserved winner of the 2007 Success in Business Award. As a young entrepreneur, he has clearly seen the potential of online retailing, having launched his Internet business in the UK. SpeckyFourEyes.com is an online prescription glasses and contact lens retailer founded by Andre in 2005. The idea for SpeckyFourEyes.com was borne whilst he was at Anglia Ruskin studying to be an optician.

Whilst at University, Andre noticed a 'subconscious' push towards working for a high street optical store - but he wanted more than that and didn't want to follow the crowd. This drove and inspired him to create his own business in competition with the major high street optical retailers. He'd worked out that high street opticians were making a fortune, yet he could manufacture a complete pair of prescription glasses for a patient, using their eye test prescription and sell them for as little as £12.

The business is now two years old and Andre is celebrating, having won and been nominated for several business awards. 2007 has been a fantastic year for him and 2008 looks to be even more promising as Internet retailing goes from strength to strength.

SpeckyFourEyes.com is already a £0.5m turnover Internet retail business which has quadrupled in the last year, is now getting over 9000 hits on the site and fulfilling up to 50 orders a day - not bad for a 25 year old.

Andre is officially an award winning Internet entrepreneur. In addition to receiving the 2007 Success in Business Award, SpeckyFourEyes.com has also been nominated as a finalist in the Eye4EnterPrize Awards, a competition open to people who wish to create a Bradford based business, social or voluntary enterprise. Andre was also a regional finalist in the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2007 Awards. They say success breeds success and Andre is on a roll. He has just bought out an undisclosed competitor, amalgamated the business into his and added a further 10,000 customers to his rapidly increasing customer database.

"It's been an amazing two years," said Andre. "The business has really taken off - I've significantly increased staff numbers and am looking for more as SpeckyFourEyes.com continues to grow." Andre is committed to staff development and training and one of his Dispensing Opticians, Maryam, is training to be a Contact Lens Optician." This is great news for my business - having professional staff adds value to the business and ensures all our customers receive the best customer service possible," he continued. "Winning another business award is confirmation that, two years ago when I started this in my bedroom at my parents' home, I made the right move and now all the hard work is paying off. Almost all Optics graduates from Anglia Ruskin University work for the standard high street optical stores. I've gone against the grain and made a success of it - SpeckyFourEyes.com is giving the high street opticians something to think about as Internet retailing gains strength."

SpeckyFourEyes.com has taken an enormous amount of time to set up. The website build has been a major project and continues to evolve as Andre adds more products. The SpeckyFourEyes® site is easy to navigate and guides customers seamlessly through the purchasing process. There are a few quirky touches such as the eyePod where customers can upload a picture of themselves to try frames on.

"My hard work and determination has paid off. Business is excellent and growing faster than planned," said Andre. The business smashed its forecast targets by 400% in the first quarter of 2007, with orders flooding in. The majority of customers have heard about the site through word of mouth and repeat business is increasing. Andre continued, "People are placing multiple orders through the website and with my prices they can afford to!"

2006 - no award

2005 - Aneela Rose

I am delighted to announce that the winner of the 2005 Success in Business award is Aneela Rose, who graduated from the University with a BA Honours degree in Business Studies in 1995, having specialised in Marketing. In October 2002 she and a friend set up an exclusive designer fashion boutique in the famous Lanes in Brighton. The idea came about when Aneela couldn't find anything to wear that fused exotic eastern designs with western elegance. She says "I realised there was a gap in the market and started to write a business plan. I am very strong willed and passionate - if I have an idea I will follow it through rather than just talk about it. As long as I am financially sound and believe in myself and my idea then I will give it a go. What's the worst that can happen?" And the AneelaRose Boutique was born.

The company set about partnering with manufacturers that could add flair, uniqueness and sophistication to their designs. Her degree has helped her to ensure that not only is the boutique a huge success, but that she continually strives to promote the business via innovative and fun events. One of these to celebrate the AneelaRose Boutique's first birthday was an indulgent evening of Indian food and hand and neck massages. Another followed a Bollywood theme, with exotic Indian dancing, live sitar music and two live pythons. Aneela said "It was a fabulous evening of exotic entertainment and judging by the guests' reactions to the snakes, dancers, musicians and fashion, we certainly caused a stir. This was our first major event since we opened and we are thrilled by its success - we are already planning the next show."

Just a year after opening the shop reached the HSBC and Sky News Start-Up Stars Award as one of the UK's top 20 new start-up companies. The boutique boasts some celebrity customers, including Carol Barnes and Natasha Kaplinsky - Wendy Richards and Joan Collins have popped in too. AneelaRose has now outgrown its tiny premises in Brighton and will be relocating to larger premises in Horsham in 2006.

In December 2003, following many fulfilling years working in marketing and PR, Aneela expanded her operation by starting up Aneela Rose PR - www.aneelarosepr.co.uk - a consultancy offering PR, marketing, design and events support to various industry sectors. These currently cover healthcare, hotel & leisure, food & drink, retail, IT and technology for small to medium sized businesses. The consultancy, based in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, offers effective media coverage, striking designs for brochures, newsletters, flyers etc, integrated campaigns and professionally organised events. "I love the variety of work and the different challenges this diversity brings. Being my own boss also brings its benefits - I am able to work in the way I want without any office politics!" Aneela is also a celebrity feature writer and has interviewed rogue trader Nick Leeson and notorious property tycoon Nicholas Van Hoogstraten for magazine features.

2004 - Karen Silk

We were delighted that our first winner was Karen Silk who graduated from CCAT in 1977 with a Private & Executive Secretary's Certificate. Karen has gone on to build up her own company, Capital International HR Solutions Ltd and has been awarded Sussex Business Woman of the Year.

Since Karen Silk left CCAT in 1977 she has not stood still. Within six years she had set up her business, Capital International HR Solutions Ltd, which was established to supply real-time contractors to the aerospace, defence and telecommunications industries.

The company has steadily grown, based on Karen's commitment to deliver high levels of customer service to both client and contractor. In 1996 this led to Karen being awarded Sussex Business Woman of the Year and the following year Capital appeared on the National Star Performers List of the fastest growing UK companies. The company has been listed three years in a row in the 'Top 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies' as published by the Independent on Sunday. In 2000 Karen reached the semi-finals of Entrepreneur of the Year - the company's Millennium Charity Project raised £7,500 for local charities and was also awarded funds from the government's Work Life Balance Challenge Fund.

Two years later Karen appeared on BBC2's Working Lunch programme explaining the benefits of good work life balance. Capital International HR Solutions Ltd has a system of flexible working and believes in helping women to return to work after having children, providing more than the basic maternity leave and pay and encouraging staff to contribute ideas which will make the business more efficient. While Capital believes in work-life balance it also encourages out of hours activities such as charity fundraising, and has put teams into the London-Brighton cycle ride several times and walked the South Downs Way in a relay. Karen believes that when people enjoy their job and feel supported and part of a team, moral is high and that passes on when staff speak to customers, essential in today's tough business climate.

Congratulations to Karen Silk on becoming our first winner of the Success in Business Award.

The company has been on the National Star Performers List of the fastest growing UK companies and was listed for three years in a row in the Top 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies as published by the Independent on Sunday.