Astronaut and alumnus - University of Portsmouth

Transcription

UPdate
University of Portsmouth annual
magazine for alumni and friends
Summer2014
Astronaut
and alumnus beams in
Also inside:
Chancellor’s Dinner a glittering affair
It’s a beautiful business with Liz Earle
Getting fit with Bear Grylls
MD8855 0814_Update Alumni Magazine 2014.indd 1
12/08/2014 15:02
2 University of Portsmouth
Contents 3
Contents
Welcome
My first 12 months as Vice-Chancellor have been incredibly enjoyable with both
staff and students providing a warm welcome to the University. It has been a
great period of discovery for me and I have been so impressed by the quality
of what we do and the strong ambition of colleagues to grow the University in
strength and reputation. A key ingredient for success is the support of our alumni
and I would like to personally thank all of you who have supported us over the
past 12 months, whether by attending an event, delivering a career talk, offering
a work placement, mentoring our students or providing financial support for
our University’s future. Your support is vital and makes a real difference to the
University and I would encourage you to get involved however you feel able.
A year in pictures .....................................................................................................................................4–5
Chancellor’s Dinner a glittering affair.........................................................................................................6–7
It’s a beautiful business.............................................................................................................................8–9
Can you help our current students?......................................................................................................10–11
Who’s in fashion?.................................................................................................................................12–15
Memories of Milton ..............................................................................................................................16–17
Getting fit with Bear Grylls....................................................................................................................18–19
Astronaut and alumnus beams in .........................................................................................................20–21
A celebration of graduation 2014..........................................................................................................22–23
I am delighted to say that we maintain a strong position in the
university rankings, both nationally and globally. This, combined
with our excellent National Student Survey results and our
growing reputation for research, makes us rightly proud of our
University. Since I arrived last September I have been bowled
over by what we are doing and the impact our activities are
having.
The investment in our campus facilities continues. By the end of
2014 we will have invested £22 million in either creating exciting
new facilities or on refurbishment and repairs. In an innovative
partnership with the New Theatre Royal, this autumn will see the
completion of an £8 million theatre and film facility for the Faculty
of Creative and Cultural Industries. Portland Building is currently
undergoing a complete refurbishment and will re-open in time
for the new academic year. This is all part of our drive to provide
a first-class experience for our students, an experience which
provides the best preparation for the world of work.
This year saw the launch of the Shaping our Future
conversation, asking all staff and students where they thought
the University should be heading in the next 15 to 20 years.
The conversation was a huge success, with around 2,000
students and members of staff taking part in roadshows around
campus and posting ideas and comments online. We will soon
be extending the conversation outside the University, which
includes over 50,000 alumni. We will be in touch over the next
few months to ask you to get involved and help us shape our
future.
I wish you well for the year ahead and thank you for your
continued support.
Professor Graham Galbraith
Vice-Chancellor
August 2014
MantaWatch.........................................................................................................................................24–25
Your impact..........................................................................................................................................26–27
The ‘unexpected button toothed crocodile’..........................................................................................28–29
Our year of events................................................................................................................................30–31
Cultural exchange: Best of British and Mexico – Hugo Van Belle...........................................................32–33
The Alumni Association, fundraising and donors...................................................................................34–35
The University of Portsmouth Alumni Association is always keen to hear from
former students and friends of the University. Do please stay in touch and share
your stories with us, submit content for future editions of UPdate or nominate
other alumni to receive a copy, by contacting us at [email protected].
Meet the team
Lisa Egan
Acting Marketing
Campaigns
Manager
Vicky Hodson
Alumni Relations
Officer
Ceri Gorman
Alumni Relations
Officer
You can keep up with our latest news and events and
reminisce about your university years by following our social
media channels. Join our Linkedin Group and connect with
thousands of alumni living in your part of the world or working in
a similar field. Or simply enjoy browsing through our images of
Portsmouth today on our Instagram account.
MD8855 0814_Update Alumni Magazine 2014.indd 2-3
Emma Deabill
Development
Officer
Kevin Gaisford
Database and
Operations
Officer
Joe Rejek
Alumni Relations
and Development
Assistant
uopalumni
@uopalumni
University of Portsmouth Alumni Association
Portsmouthuni
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A year in pictures 5
A year in pictures
August 2013
March 2014
September 2013
February 2014
October 2013
November 2013
April 2014
May 2014
December 2013
January 2014
July 2014
Credit: HST / NASA / ESA
June 2014
August 2013
The Students’ Union raised a record £142,295 for charity,
well above their £100,000 target and nearly double their
previous year’s total. The money was raised by student-led
fundraising group RAG (Raising and Giving) and 14 sports clubs
and societies.
September 2013
Taking inspiration from the popular televised baking battle,
over 30 pupils from local secondary schools made brownies
and scones at the ‘Great British Cake Off’, organised by the
University’s UP for It Club.
October 2013
A new training facility for students to learn how to use
decontamination equipment officially opened at the University’s
Dental Academy. The training suite allows dental students
to learn about the practical elements of sterilisation in a safe
environment.
November 2013
Britain’s first Dog Cognition Centre opened its doors to
family dogs of all breeds, genders, ages and temperaments,
allowing researchers to study a huge range of dogs and learn
more about how clever man’s best friend really is.
February 2014
A major new studio space in the city won £30,000
of funding to help give art a starring role in Portsmouth.
The University’s art gallery, Space, opened as part of the
redevelopment of Eldon Building on Winston Churchill Avenue.
May 2014
A team of Portsmouth students beat over 40 other
universities to win funding for the design and build of a small
racing car for the Formula Student competition – the world’s
largest student motorsport event.
December 2013
A University building was transformed into a state-ofthe-art facility for the creative arts, thanks to £14 million of
investment. The Eldon Building west wing provides the Faculty
of Creative and Cultural Industries with brand new purpose-built
facilities.
March 2014
Over 250 students from all over the world gathered
together for ‘Around the World in One Day’, an event for
international students to show off their food, music, national
costume, arts and craft, and dance.
June 2014
Students at the University will have many more chances to
play the sports they most enjoy, thanks to a £300,000 funding
boost from the National Lottery’s Sport England University Sport
Activation Fund. A further £180,000 of in-house funding was
added to the pot to help inspire a new generation to take their
fitness seriously.
January 2014
Scientists from the University studied data from citizen
science project Galaxy Zoo to look at galaxies beyond our local
universe, using the Hubble Space Telescope.
April 2014
A new study by Dr Alex Ford from the Institute of Marine
Sciences revealed that tiny quantities of antidepressants are
affecting aquatic wildlife such as crustaceans and molluscs.
July 2014
Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills, joined a panel of experts at the
Portsmouth Business School to discuss the issue of trust
in business.
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Chancellor’s Dinner a glittering affair 7
Chancellor’s
Dinner a
glittering
affair
After more than 40 years interviewing the
heads of government and leaders in industry
from across the world, Sandi asked if
there was anyone he was ‘still gagging to
interview’, and he replied: ‘The Queen, Her
Majesty’. He had once met her at a formal
dinner and when he’d asked if he could one
day interview her, she’d replied: ‘No, and
what’s more Mr Humphrys, if I were to be
interviewed, it would certainly not be by you.’
When Sandi suggested they try a job swap
he laughed and said what she did was ‘far,
far harder’ and suggested she take on one
of the annual guest editor roles of the Today
programme, in the week between Christmas
and the New Year.
After an interview punctuated by many jokes
at her own expense, Sandi thanked him for
agreeing to attend, saying: ‘I’m delighted
the event has given us the opportunity
to hear from one of the biggest names in
broadcasting on how he built his career.
Thank you.’
The University’s Alumni Association kicked off its annual calendar of events
in February with the Inaugural Chancellor’s Dinner. Held at the Portsmouth
Guildhall, the event was attended by almost 350 current students, alumni
and staff.
Chancellor Sandi Toksvig was joined for
the evening by John Humphrys, Britain’s
much-loved journalist and her friend of
many years, who swapped roles and
agreed to be interviewed at the University
of Portsmouth’s first Chancellor’s Dinner.
Sandi had the idea for the event, as she
wanted to bring students and alumni
together. She said:
‘I am delighted this event is
taking place – it is the first
Chancellor’s Dinner and one
which we hope will become a
traditional fixture in the student
and alumni calendar, giving our
current students and our alumni
the opportunity to take part
in an elegant occasion in the
splendour of the Guildhall, to
meet each other, network and
share stories.’
Guests included hundreds of former
students, from those who graduated as
early as 1973, to those who graduated
just last year, as well as current
students who took the opportunity to
be entertained by their Chancellor and
to network with alumni. The University’s
Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Chief Operating Officer, Deans of faculties
and heads of professional services also
attended.
After a champagne reception and threecourse meal, Sandi interviewed John on
stage about his life and career, with many
of the questions posed by members of
the audience. Asked about his career
highlights, John said:
‘Watergate. I was there on the morning
Richard Nixon left the White House in
disgrace, the first US president ever to
do so. I actually broke the story. I told the
country, this country, that Richard Nixon
was going to go on television that night
and resign.’
John discussed how difficult it was to
interview Tony Blair when he first became
Prime Minister.
‘He had come into office under a whiter
than white, purer than pure banner which
was fiercely guarded by press secretary
and spin doctor Alastair Campbell who,
for four years, refused to allow Blair to be
interviewed live on the Today programme.
‘It was four years without a single
interview, then Campbell retired and
I got an interview the next day.’
‘It is the first Chancellor’s Dinner
and one which we hope will
become a traditional fixture.’
Next year’s Chancellor’s Dinner will
take place on Friday 6 February.
Tickets will go on sale in October.
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It’s a beautiful business 9
It’s a beautiful
business
An interview
with Liz Earle
Many of you will be familiar
with health and beauty guru
Liz Earle from her well-known
beauty brand and wide-ranging
television work. What you might
not know is that Liz studied
in Portsmouth, is one of the
University’s honorary graduates
and is proud to have set up her
award-winning beauty business
on the Isle of Wight.
We met with her to have a chat
about her relationship with the
city and the University, and to
find out more about the Liz
Earle success story.
What is your relationship with
the University of Portsmouth?
I was so surprised and truly delighted
to receive an Honorary Doctorate
from my home city of Portsmouth.
What an extraordinary honour. At last
I have my degree! I hold it as a very
special accolade, right up there with
receiving my MBE from the Queen at
Buckingham Palace.
Tell us more about your
connection to the south of
England
I was born in Southsea in a naval
nursing home on the seafront and my
father held many commands on the
south coast, including Flag Officer
Portsmouth when we lived in HM
Dockyard in Spithead House. My
two eldest children were baptised in
the naval church there and I held my
thirtieth birthday party on HMS Victory,
in full period costume; it was really very
special.
Did you go to university
yourself? Do you believe
university is an important step
for young adults?
I went to Highbury College after
leaving school at 16 and studied hotel
management, firstly in Portsmouth
then at Westminster College, London. I
really didn’t know what I wanted to do
and so chose a course that offered a
breadth of learning, from accountancy
to running a restaurant, in hindsight
all very good entrepreneurial skills to
acquire. I loved my course, especially
the practical aspects of haute cuisine
and wine appreciation! Thirty or more
years ago things were more relaxed and
jobs easier to find, so I took the view
that I wanted to start on the bottom
rung of the working ladder sooner,
without a degree.
How did you first get interested
in natural health, botany and
organic lifestyles?
I inherited my passion for plants from
my father, who is a keen gardener
and plantsman. He is an Admiral in
the Royal Navy and when he returned
to dry land, would spend his R&R
pottering about in the vegetable patch
as an antidote to being at sea. He is
very practical, so grew mostly useful
plants, such as fruit and vegetables,
which is probably why I love medicinal
botanicals that ‘do things’ too.
Tell us about how you got
started in the beauty industry
My first job in journalism was as a junior
in the beauty department on the now
defunct glossy women’s magazine
called Woman’s Journal. It was at a
time when health and beauty were first
being linked together as a publishing
section, and so I was given snippets
of both health and wellbeing to write.
I was lucky to have a great editor who
mentored my writing, encouraging me
to write full-length features and then my
own books. I always worked as
a freelance writer, for many different
magazines and newspapers before
focusing on beauty and wellbeing
books.
You are well known for your
specialist knowledge in
botanical ingredients in beauty
and your approach to natural
health – why do you believe so
firmly in this ‘naturally active’
approach?
I have seen first-hand the many
powerful, therapeutic properties that
botanicals possess, often much more
so than more modern synthetics. As
someone with sensitive, eczema-prone
skin, I found natural herbal ingredients
that worked for me, and wanted very
much to share this knowledge with
others.
How did you get into TV work?
I started work in the very dawn of
daytime TV, when Richard and Judy first
launched This Morning on ITV. My name
was known as a byline in women’s
magazines and from writing books, so
I received a call right out of the blue
asking if I’d be interested in joining
the team at Granada – and the rest is
history. I loved every moment of it and
only left as I was offered my own BBC
show, Beautywise. I then moved on
to GMTV for a number of years before
hosting an ITV network afternoon show,
Liz Earle’s Lifestyle.
You co-founded Liz Earle Beauty
Co Ltd with your close friend
Kim Buckland in 1995 and it’s
still going strong almost 20
years later – what is the key to
its success?
When Kim and I started out, the beauty
industry was very polarised, either
selling expensive designer skincare
behind an intimidating department
store counter or cheap and cheerful
self-selection skincare off the shelves
in supermarkets and chemists. We
spotted that elusive ‘gap in the market’
for premium quality, affordable, ethicallyproduced skincare, all backed by a
genuine specialist with real knowledge,
not just a marketing gimmick.
What is your level of
involvement since the beauty
company was acquired by Avon
in 2010?
When the Liz Earle Beauty Co was sold
it was very much the right decision for
both Kim and me, our CEO and other
stakeholders as well as for the brand
itself. Both Kim and I had built the
brand from scratch into a household
beauty name, and it was growing so
fast – both in the UK and internationally
– that it needed the support of a much
larger multinational organisation to allow
this to happen. I have remained as a
consultant to the brand and continue to
be a passionate brand ambassador, so
I am still very much involved.
What have you been doing since
the sale of the company?
I have been keen to return to my
original roots of writing and programmemaking and have been busy updating
many of my backlist of books, revising
them into ebook editions, as well as
working on a new wellbeing book about
juicing for publication later this year. As
an organic livestock farmer, I have also
returned to healthy food campaigning
and produced a short documentary
about the importance of grass-fed
milk. All this and more I have
going on at my new venture
www.lizearlewellbeing.com, which
is the online home for how to feel
good, look good and do some good
along the way. I launched LiveTwice,
a UK registered charity that funds a
wide range of practical, life-improving
projects. You can see more of our work
at www.livetwice.org. I am also a newly
appointed patron of Ace Africa, and
have just returned from a fascinating
field trip to both Kenya and Tanzania
to see how this organisation saves
many thousands of lives with practical,
sustainable food and healthcare
projects.
How do you strike the right
work/life balance?
That is a hard question and I have yet
to meet a working wife and mother
who thinks she has got that one right!
I try and be super organised and rely
on technology for everything from
scheduling, email and home shopping,
to Skype conference calls etc for work
and back home to the children.
What advice do you have for our
graduating students who are
considering their options?
There are a few fundamental rules
for aspiring entrepreneurs: firstly, find
something you are passionate about
and love doing as you will be dedicating
most of your life to it. Secondly, know
your subject inside out, upside down,
back to front and then some more. The
more research you can do the better
to build firm foundations for the future.
Lastly, don’t rush. My motto is always
to crawl, walk, run if you want to be in
business for the long term.
12/08/2014 15:02
Can you help our current students? 11
Can you help
our current
students?
The University’s Alumni
Association has had a busy
year following up on the
staggering 4,000 offers of
help which we have received
from our alumni. Thank you to
those of you who have made
offers. Staff and students
around the campus value your
contribution.
We have had the pleasure of welcoming
back a number of alumni to give career
talks, providing our current students with the
opportunity to gain inspiration and advice
from industry professionals. Some students
have enjoyed visiting alumni in their place of
work, giving them a valuable insight into the
work they could be potentially doing one day.
Richard Frediani
Earlier this year journalism and media studies students were given the
opportunity to visit the ITN studios in London, courtesy of economics
alumnus and ITV News at 6.30pm Programme Editor Richard
Frediani. Third-year student Jasmine Lagha tells us about the day.
‘On arrival at the studios in London we were given guest
passes and shown through to the gallery, a long dark room
kitted out with a wall of screens and button-covered control
boards from end to end. It looked nothing short of the inside
of a space shuttle. The room was tense as the six thirty
deadline approached, but seeing how the programme was
put together live on air really honed in on the importance and
their commitment as journalists to broadcast the most up-todate coverage.
‘After the broadcast we were able to sit in on the debrief
where Richard formally introduced himself and walked us
round the studios. He talked us thoroughly through each
section of the newsroom and the stages of production
including the green room, and introduced us to lots of his
colleages from the director to the travel agent. We were even
lucky enough to meet ITV Evening News presenter Mark
Austin.
‘Our evening with Richard really helped us grasp the
atmosphere and mechanisms behind a major working
newsroom and hopefully has given us an insight into
what companies look for when applying for jobs and work
experience in broadcast media.’
Vinesh Pomal
Alumnus Vinesh Pomal, architect at Levitt Bernstein
Associates, joined us in March to talk to students about
bridging the gap between academia and industry. Reflecting
on experience, Vinesh emphasised the importance of students
engaging with their desired industries prior to graduation,
particularly when it came to construction and architecture.
Nick Collard
In November Nick Collard, Group Marketing and Customer
Director at Morrisons Supermarkets, gave an interesting
talk to marketing students in the Business School about
the various marketing campaigns he had been involved
in. Since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies
in 1994, Nick has worked for several multi-national
corporations including Boots, L’Oreal and Mars. Alongside
interesting insights and practical advice, attending students
were also given the opportunity to see the 2013 Morrison’s
Christmas TV advert before its airing. Nick also spoke
fondly about his student days at Portsmouth.
Katie Wright
The BBC Apprentice star and sociology and social policy
graduate came back to the University in November as a keynote
speaker at Portsmouth Business School’s IMPACT week.
‘Katie kicked off our networking evening and talked about her
journey since she left university and her experience of Sir Alan
Sugar and The Apprentice. She had a positive impact on the
students, so much so that they stayed behind to network with
her and pick her brain about the business world.’
Jacqui Adams, Careers Adviser
How can you help?
If you would like to give back by helping our
current students, we would love to hear from you
if you can offer the following:
• A career talk
• A career profile
•A work placement or work experience
position
•A graduate job
•Attend an Open Day and meet with
prospective students
What do you need to do?
If you would like to get involved, please email
[email protected] or call the alumni team on
023 9284 2705 and let us know how you would
like to help.
12/08/2014 15:02
Who’s in fashion? 13
Who’s in fashion?
The University of Portsmouth has many graduates
who have gone on to work in the fashion industry,
not just those with a degree in fashion and
textiles. Here are just a few of our alumni who
have made it, all in very different ways and at
different stages of their career.
Kirsty’s winning design for the Beta Fashion Competition
Kirsty Wright’s fashion career got off to a flying start when
she entered the Beta Fashion Competition as a student
and won! Kirsty explains how she decided to enter the
competition because she loved the sound of the brief,
which was Noah’s Ark, as well as the prize of £300 and
the chance to have her design sold online and in store at
Topshop.
‘I decided to base my print on the armadillo, not only
because of their rarity within textiles, but also because of
the interesting shapes and detailing there was to draw. After
composing my motif I had to think about styles and colours,
so I read up on different myths surrounding the ark. A story
that particularly grabbed my attention was how Turkey was
the final resting place of the ark. In response to this I began
looking at traditional Turkish patterns that inspired me to
finish off my print in rich colours and circular compositions.’
After winning the competition, Kirsty landed herself an
internship at Hale, thanks to the local publicity that her
competition received. Alumnus Kelly Dedman, who is a
senior designer at Hale, saw her design and immediately
contacted Kirsty about the vacancy at Elaine Hooley Studio.
Kirsty now has a permanent role there.
Name: Kirsty Wright
Job title: Junior Fashion Designer
for Hale at Elaine Hooley Design
Course studied: Fashion and Textile
Design with Enterprise
Year of graduation: 2013
We asked Kirsty to tell us what a typical day is like as a
designer. She said: ‘Every day is different, but in general
most days are fast paced, working on a few designs a day
or spending a couple of days working on just one premium
design. Our schedules mostly revolve around our clients
– they may give us a couple of weeks to come up with a
collection, or will ask for something to be designed and
approved in one single day. Apart from designing, a lot of
time is spent meeting with clients and keeping up to date
with catwalk and high street trends. Once a design has
been approved we also have to go through the process
of deciding what garments are going to be composed of,
colour matching and then sampling. Overall, the whole
process from design to manufacture is rather long.’
Kirsty says her aspiration for the future is to gain lots of
experience to move up into a higher role: ‘Eventually I would
love to see myself as a self-established designer launching
my own brand.’ Good luck Kirsty and great news that our
alumni are helping graduates find work!
Name: Dan Sclosa
Job title: Denim Technologist for
Topshop
Course studied: Three Dimensional
Design
Year of graduation: 2005
Dan Sclosa has worked for Topshop as a denim
technologist for the last two years. His role involves
the development, from initial concept through to final
production, of all jeans and denim styles. He designs
exclusive denim fabrics for sole use by Topshop, alongside
developing chemicals for new washing techniques. He is
also in charge of sealing all styles for fit, and then following
the whole process into bulk production in the factories and
laundries.
He says: ‘It’s an amazing buzz to see your final creations
on so many people on the high street.’
Dan explains how he came into this line of work: ‘I was
really lucky to have tutors on my course who let me
experiment with fabrics in technical and architectural
ways. My real enthusiasm for garment construction and
finishing effects led to work experience with a couture label
in London where I learnt commercial skills relevant to the
industry, which led to my first paid role.’
Dan’s aspirations for the future are to see Topshop’s jeans/
denim department grow further, increasing their current
sourcing destinations and driving their products into the
global market.
12/08/2014 15:02
Who’s in fashion? 15
Name: Jonathan Tin
Job title: Assistant
Visual Merchandiser
for Vivienne Westwood
Course studied: Film
and Media Studies
Name: Chloe Hood
Year of graduation:
2008
Job title: Creator of
Hoodlum Fang
Course studied:
Fashion and Textile
Design with Enterprise
Photography by Nathan Klein,
BA (Hons) Photography
Jonathan is responsible for the visual presentation of Vivienne
Westwood boutiques, which involves mannequin styling
and outfitting, window installations, store presentation and
layout of garments. His head office workload consists of
placing orders for props, sourcing and ensuring that the
worldwide boutiques maintain their visual presentation. Much
of Jonathan’s job involves travelling within the UK to their
six boutiques as well as department store concessions in
Liberty’s, Selfridges and Harrods.
Jonathan had originally wanted to get into the film and media
industry following graduation. He says: ‘After struggling
to get work after graduating I took up a part-time role in a
retail store whilst looking for work experience. Here, I began
dressing mannequins and was given responsibility for certain
lines to merchandise. I then found a full-time role in visual
merchandising and worked my way up to where I am now.
I was probably the least likely candidate to be involved in
the fashion industry, however as with most things in life, you
begin to realise what transferable skills you have and use
them. I would definitely not be where I am now if I had not
been open to everything I learnt at university and after.’
When asked what it is like working for Vivienne Westwood,
Jonathan says: ‘I am definitely proud to be working for such
a legendary designer and show this through my work. I will
always remember the time I had just joined and my colleague
and I were invited to a launch party for a prospective
mannequin company. A girl approached us and asked us
who we worked for. When I told her she started screaming,
much to our amusement. She then proceeded to gush about
Vivienne and showed us her Vivienne Westwood scarf. I’d be
lying if I said it wasn’t a bit thrilling!’
Jonathan says that the best advice he can give anyone
wanting to enter the visual merchandising field is to be
prepared: ‘Visual merchandising is one of those fields that
involves the 50:50 split of creativity as well as the commercial
side. It is not a role for the person who wants to look good
every day as you’ll be climbing ladders, balancing against
walls, heavy lifting, painting, pulling overnighters and working
to tight deadlines. Really it’s all about experience and building
your portfolio as well as enthusiasm and the willingness to do
anything.’
Year of graduation:
2013
Chloe Hood set up her own part-time business, Hoodlum
Fang, after completing an enterprise course at the
University called ‘Into the Cell Block’ whilst studying for her
degree. Chloe is currently working part time to support her
business, a lifestyle and sportswear brand inspired by punk
rock, extreme sports and ‘grrrl power’, but hopes to make
it a full-time venture in the future.
She got the inspiration from following the local Roller Derby
team, The Portsmouth Roller Wenches. She explains:
‘The team and its supporters have become great friends
of mine over the years and my main support network
for my business. The relationship started while I was in
my final year of University. I used skating as an outlet
for my creativity and used the inspiration I gained from
the imagery of the sport in my designs. Hoodlum Fang
promises spandex and jersey garments made from the
highest quality digitally printed fabrics, designed and
Photography by Dominic Smith,
BA (Hons) Photography
crafted to the highest standards by myself. Everything is
so easy to wear, from statement tees and bold printed
leggings to soft jersey miniskirts.’
Chloe goes on to say: ‘I believe there are a lot of things
wrong with the fashion industry. Big design houses tend
to overlook issues such as size 0 models and child labour/
fair wage laws for garment making and construction. I like
to be more ethical with my business so all my fabrics are
printed in the UK, I make the garments myself and all the
companies I work with are UK based.’
Chloe runs her business from her own home-based studio,
designing, creating samples and finished garments, as well
as networking and communicating with customers and
suppliers. At the weekends she tries to get out to as many
Roller Derby bouts as she can to promote her brand.
12/08/2014 15:02
Memories of Milton 17
Building names
Hancock
Named after Ada Hancock, a teacher
appointed at Portsmouth in the 1890s.
FosterNamed after the founding mayor of
Portsmouth Day Training College, Sir
Thomas Scott Foster.
Memories
of Milton
DymondNamed after the College’s longest
serving principle, Dr Dorothy Dymond.
GoldsmithNamed after the site’s original owners,
the Goldsmith family.
BrunelNamed after Isambard Kingdom
Brunel, born in Portsmouth in 1806.
WestonPerhaps named after Agnes Weston,
founder of the Royal Sailor’s Rest in
Portsmouth, which was acclaimed by
Queen Victoria in 1895. Weston was
made a Dame of the British Empire in
1918 but died shortly after.
Ten years ago the University of Portsmouth was seeing major changes across
the city. The most significant of these was the demolition of its Milton campus,
a location that current students may never have heard of but which, at the start
of the twentieth century, was the home of the most significant venue for higher
education in the south.
The history of Milton
As far back as 1835 the site existed solely as Milton House, a
grand estate to house the Goldsmith family, who owned the
nearby Milton Farm in Eastney. The estate was surrounded by
extensive fields with a canal passing through.
In May 1912, the Milton estate was bought from the Goldsmith
family by the city mayor, Sir Thomas Scott Foster, and soon
became the Portsmouth Day Training College for Education
Development. During this time the geography of the island was
rapidly changing. The canal that had long cut its way towards
the city centre had been filled in, dense housing was being
developed in all directions, and the Portsmouth Day Training
College was refurbishing and constructing new buildings and
sports facilities.
Little changed until August 1975, when the estate became part
of the ever-expanding Portsmouth Polytechnic and home to the
Portsmouth Business School. However, by the late 1990s it was
clear to most on campus that the buildings had seen their best
and in 2004 the Business School relocated to the brand-new
Richmond Building in the University’s Northern Quarter. Milton
campus was knocked down, to be replaced with residential
facilities.
Life on campus
Many reflect on the old Milton campus fondly, with its red brick
buildings and well-tended garden. Dymond Building, being the
largest building on campus, held the largest lecture theatre,
which alumna Jill Hutchins describes with its ‘large sash
windows and aged wooden floors’. The floor plan, especially in
Dymond Building, was at times erratic and illogical, leaving even
an experienced student or staff member lost amongst the many
nooks and crannies around campus. Former student Dave Kirby
remembers ‘waiting for lectures at the building’s rear entrance,
as to wait inside would have caused too much noise in the
expansive, echoing hallways’. Behind Dymond Building, he
describes the courtyard which offered a ‘beautiful walled garden
which was a hotspot for lunch breaks during summer, when
students weren’t at the local White House pub’.
Alongside the old, Victorian buildings were more modern units
(or what must have been modern when they were built in
the 1950s and 1960s), such as the Resource Centre, which
past student Sue Welford recalls as being home to big 1980s
computers ‘which would creak and groan into life’. Teaching
equipment was comparatively basic, with whiteboards and
manual overhead projectors, but social facilities catered well to
student and staff needs. Alumna Michelle Biggs remembers the
refectories which featured in Hancock and Dymond buildings
and a bar in Foster Hall, whilst in the Postgraduate Centre
former student Wolf Streider recalls how mature students had
use of a dedicated common room. Although Milton campus
catered well to its residents, maintaining much of its humble
charm, it wasn’t entirely cut off from the city; Dr Gareth Harper,
who taught at the Milton campus, remembers how students
‘squeezed themselves into an inter-campus minibus being used
to ferry students to the main campus’.
The location of the
Milton Campus
The end
By the end of the twentieth century, much of the campus
was in need of repair and had seen far better days.
According to Wolf Streider, ‘the classrooms needed painting
and updating and a lot of buildings saw rot, damp and
rust, pulling them slowly apart’. With the Business School
moving to the newly constructed Richmond Building in the
city centre campus, Milton was sold to Portsmouth City
Council and the campus was given its final goodbye with an
end-of-year barn dance party, celebrating its old horticultural
heritage. After a year of consultation, the City Council
decided to replace the campus with a new block of multistory flats, though the ‘secret’ garden remains…
Map taken from Portsmouth
Polytechnic Prospectus 1976/1977
12/08/2014 15:02
Getting fit with Bear Grylls 19
Getting fit
with Bear
Grylls
Former Portsmouth geology student Natalie Summers (née
Ellaway) runs a business as a personal trainer. This has
led to a business partnership with explorer Bear Grylls,
developing a fitness programme and co-authoring books.
We caught up with Natalie to find out more about this
exciting venture.
You work with Bear Grylls as his personal trainer – how did this come about?
Initially, Bear’s wife Shara came for a one-to-one session as a friend of hers had recommended
my services. Bear came with Shara. We chatted and he was surprised that I specialised in
express 30-minute training regimes. He had a one-to-one session the next day and has been a
client for four years now.
Bear’s requirements for fitness were very different to my existing clients and over the years his
fitness needs meant I needed to educate myself on functional movement and exercises. The
relationship from client, to friend, to business partner all happened over several mornings of
mountain climbers, back flips, pull-ups and wall handstand regimes.
Tell us more about your business partnership together and what it involves.
I have a hands-on role in the running and development of the company and fitness brand BG
EPIC Training. Responsibilities include anything from marketing, project management and
instructor training to my favourite role as performance director. Bear is very hands-on and assists
with designing the fitness programmes and our brand vision, and of course he is the inspiration
for the whole company. We work and train at the same time… meetings are often done with
sweat dripping!
You are promoting express fitness programmes of effective workouts in 30 minutes
or less. Can you tell us more about it?
Express training is all about High Intensity Interval Training or HIIT. We choreograph different
blocks of functional compound exercises back to back to maximise fat loss using the ‘after
burn effect’. There is a great chapter on this in our book Your Life Train For It, which looks at
the benefits of HIIT training compared with traditional training systems. You can try an express
workout – follow @AFNatalie and @bgepictraining on Twitter and join our 100 Fit Day campaign.
You have co-authored a book with Bear Grylls on the principles of healthy workouts in
under 30 minutes, as well as supporting this with the right diet. Can you give us a bit
more insight into Your Life Train For It?
Bear and I decided to co-author a book about express training to inspire people to train and to
educate people on a new style of training that would fit into their daily lives. We advocate training
for 30 minutes, 4–5 times a week. The reality is that it is only 2–2.5hrs a week – time really
shouldn’t be a barrier to exercise!
I was thrilled when Bear suggested we wrote a book together. He had listened to me wittering on
about express training for so long and it is something that Bear is really passionate about. Bear’s
story is authentic and it tells a good tale, not to mention great transformation pictures – at 39 he
is in better shape than he was as a young man in the SAS.
Do you feel that going to university has benefited your career?
Ok, so I don’t work in the geology industry, I chose a different route after graduating,
but every day without fail I use the skills both professionally and in my personal life that
I learnt at university during my degree. University really is about life skills.
What are your favourite memories of university here? When did you graduate?
Where were the best places to go as a student?
I graduated in 1999 and one of my fondest memories is still the vibrant buzz; it really
has a warm, welcoming feeling. The music scene and skate park form part of my
favourite memories! My top hangouts were The Wedgewood Rooms, Clarence Pier
and the Pyramids, and of course the Old Vic with the geological society every other
Wednesday.
Have you always been involved in a healthy and fit lifestyle? It must have been
harder to commit to this as a university student.
Studying geology, you had to have a love for the outdoors. I don’t know how many wet
field notebooks I wrote in. I used to roller-skate along the seafront, go to the skate park
and BMX to University, and of course late night dancing! I was a keen mountain biker
too.
Last year you were nominated for ‘Functional Gym of the Year’ at the National
Fitness Awards – how did that feel?
Being nominated and then shortlisted for the National Fitness Awards was amazing.
Seeing my studio name shortlisted against so many high-end fitness venues was a real
honour. Winning would have been awesome but coming top six in the country was a
real achievement.
What do you do in your spare time?
My spare time is all about spending time with my daughter Amelie, husband Mike and
my family and friends. We spend a lot of weekends in Cardigan, west Wales, where we
are fortunate to have a log cabin. It is not the Ritz but there is no better place to feel
grounded, read a few books and re-charge your batteries. It truly is a magical place
and of course it has some great geology!
12/08/2014 15:02
Astronaut and alumnus beams in 21
Astronaut
and alumnus
Astrona
ut
Tim Pe
ake
talks to
Portsmo
uth
beams in
Tim studied flight dynamics and evaluation at the University
and graduated in 2006. He called in via video to the event
from Russia, where he is currently in training for his trip to
the International Space Station next year, to take questions
from the 400-strong audience in The Guildhall.
He answered a vast range of questions during the talk, and
said the biggest challenge he faces is learning Russian: ‘I’ve
enjoyed every aspect of the training so far but put a Russian
grammar book in front of me and I start trembling!’ Children
in the audience asked Tim how he will sleep in space. He
said he’d be zipped into a sleeping bag velcroed to the
wall and added: ‘It’s very strange to get used to your arms
floating up in front of your face.’
Britain’s first official astronaut and Portsmouth alumnus Major Tim Peake
called into this year’s National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2014), the largest
conference in the UK for professional astronomers, which the University
hosted for the first time.
There were also a number of public events on offer and
activities for local school children. Nearly 100 children from
Portsmouth schools attended ‘Think Bigger’, organised by the
University’s Education Liaison and Outreach team and Institute
of Cosmology and Gravitation. Pupils took part in a morning of
astronomy and cosmology activities including seeing the inside
of an Astrodome – an inflatable mobile planetarium.
Other events included a ‘planet walk’ across central
Portsmouth, the sold-out ‘Science Comedy Supernova’
and a three-day interactive exhibition of giant telescopes.
Conference visitors were also treated to a celebratory
banquet on HMS Warrior, hosted by Chancellor Sandi
Toksvig. Professor Nichol said: ‘Sandi
gave a marvellous speech about the moon
landing and her personal experience of
it, which really resonated with a lot of the
astronomers as it’s something which is
certainly very important in our background.’
Overall the event was considered a
resounding success. Professor Nichol
said: ‘The National Astronomy Meeting has
been fantastic, if a little tiring, but it’s been
wonderful to have so many astronomers
here in Portsmouth. It’s been a great mixture
of science, outreach and fun, and everybody
seems to have had an amazing time.’
Credit: Max Alexander/UK Space Agency
Tim, who is mid-way through his training,
said being a human guinea pig comes with
the job. He has so far carried out survival
training exercises – including living in a cave
for seven days and living underwater for
12 days – and has had experiments on his
immune system, cardiovascular system and
blood tests.
Professor Bob Nichol, Director of the
Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation,
said: ‘We are very proud to have Tim as an
alumnus, and we are so grateful that he was
able to make the time to speak to us at this
wonderful event.’
Credit: James Blair/NASA
Credit: Lauren Harnett
Tim’s Skype call was followed by a talk from
author and astrobiologist Dr Lewis Dartnell,
and was one of the many highlights of NAM 2014. The
meeting saw over 600 astronomers gather for the biggest
conference the University has ever hosted. Leading scholars
presented the latest research in a variety of astronomical
fields, including astronomy in ancient history, the industrial
applications of astrophysics, the sun, the surfaces of other
planets, the evolution of stars, brown dwarfs, black holes,
dark energy, and the origin and fate of the Universe.
‘It’s very
strange to
get used to your
arms floating up
in front of your
face.’
Photo courtesy of Tim Peake
12/08/2014 15:02
A celebration of graduation 2014 23
Honorary Graduates 2014
A celebration of
Each year the University awards honorary degrees to
individuals in recognition of the outstanding achievement in
their field or their contribution to society.
graduation 2014
Simon Ward studied geography at Goldsmith’s College,
London, and after graduating started work in the menswear
department of Selfridges and then the British Clothing
Industry Association. In 1986 he moved to the newlycreated British Fashion Council and was responsible for the
London Fashion Week catwalk shows. He was part of the
team that created the British Fashion Awards and, in 1990,
he set up the Colleges Council to build working relationships
between colleges and industry. He is responsible for the
British Fashion Council’s day-to-day management, is a
director of the Fashion Arts Foundation, a trustee of the
British Fashion Council Education Foundation and oversees
the development of an education scheme to help those
hoping to work in fashion. Simon’s daughter is an alumna of
Portsmouth and now works at the University.
Simon Ward
John Akomfrah OBE is a major figure in black British
cinema and a forerunner in digital cinematography. His work
is considered among the most distinctive and innovative in
Britain. John was born in Ghana and moved to the UK as
a young child. In 1982 he graduated in sociology from the
then Portsmouth Polytechnic and immediately helped found
the Black Audio Film Collective, which explored questions of
black British identity, race and class through film and media.
In 1999 he set up Smoking Dogs Films with his long-term
producing partners David Lawson and Lina Gopaul.
John Akomfrah OBE
John served as governor of the British Film Institute from
2001 to 2007, and of Film London from 2004 to 2013. He
has taught around the world, including at some of America’s
leading universities, including Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Princeton.
Over 6,000 students walked across the stage at the Portsmouth Guildhall during
two very hot weeks of graduation in July. The Alumni Association presented
new alumni with mugs and provided a photo backdrop for them to have their
photos taken with friends and family. Congratulations to all of you! We want you
to continue to feel part of the University for life, which is why you are now a
member of the Alumni Association.
12/08/2014 15:03
MantaWatch 25
MantaWatch
Andrew explains: ‘After leaving Portsmouth I had a
succession of short-term jobs. I focused on my interests
and persistently pursued every opportunity. Many times
I was unsuccessful, but every success more than made
up for the misses and I found myself in interesting roles in
exciting places.’
Every manta
has a fingerprint
– a unique pattern of
markings that enable
individuals to be
recognised.
MantaWatch
In the years following graduation Andrew worked as a
Research Assistant onboard a British Antarctic Survey
research ship, looking down a microscope in the rolling seas
of the Southern Ocean; studied the environmental impacts of
port and wind farm developments on the coast of Scotland;
and was involved in developing a community-based marine
protected area in Madagascar with WWF and Reef Doctor.
More recently, he has helped to shape international ocean
policy with the United Nations Environment Programme
World Conservation Monitoring Centre. He has managed
conservation programmes in Komodo National Park,
Indonesia, with The Nature Conservancy, and has helped
ensure a sustainable future for the fisheries and marine
ecosystems of south-east Asia while working with the US
Government.
Andrew Harvey
In 2010 Andrew founded MantaWatch, a UK-based marine
conservation company that is applying cutting-edge
technologies to conserve threatened manta rays. One
of its biggest achievements so far has been creating the
world’s largest manta ray sanctuary, spanning some six
million square kilometres of ocean. MantaWatch operates
MantaTrax, the world’s first social web application dedicated
to open, transparent and participative marine conservation.
By uploading their photos, divers, snorkelers and
underwater photographers are assisting scientists to track
manta population sizes, migrations and movements,
and to learn more about the species and its threats.
Manta rays can reach nine metres from wingtip to wingtip.
Reidar Opem/MantaWatch
Marine conservation scientist Andrew
Harvey has been fascinated by
oceans since he was a young child.
Since graduating from Portsmouth in
marine biology in 2002, Andrew has
managed to align his career with his
interests, although he admits that
there has not always been an obvious
career path.
Mantas are intelligent,
inquisitive and will often
approach divers.
Reidar Opem/
MantaWatch
‘Since founding MantaWatch I’ve had the opportunity to
work on issues that I’m passionate about and one of my
greatest joys is seeing the impacts of our work. In 2012
we created a professional training programme for young
marine leaders in developing countries, last year we created
a 7,000km² shark and manta ray sanctuary and this year
we helped the government of Indonesia create the world’s
largest manta ray sanctuary. I am immensely proud of these
achievements, and our team.’
Andrew credits his time in Portsmouth with giving him the
confidence to follow an unconventional career path and
leading ultimately to launching his own company.
‘My knowledge, skills and experience grew immensely
during my time at the University of Portsmouth. My degree
programme was quite flexible and I was able to select from a
wide variety of modules and subjects. This broad experience
has been invaluable throughout my career. But even more
valuable was my personal development and the ‘soft skills’
that I gained. Exposure to leading research and inspirational
experts from around the world influenced my ambitions and
the way I work. I am still in touch with many friends, lecturers
and Portsmouth alumni that I met during my studies, and
continue to benefit from their advice and support.’
When asked what advice he’d give to today’s students,
Andrew says: ‘Have the courage to follow your heart and
intuition. At five or six I remember my primary school teacher
asking the class what we wanted to be when we grew
up. My friends wanted to be firemen, or pilots, or doctors.
I wanted to be a deep-sea diver, and while my teacher
laughed at the time, I think my career has ended up close to
this childhood dream’.
‘My advice to today’s students is to follow your
interests and your dreams, even if the career
path seems unusual or unclear. There is a world
of possibility out there and ideas that have not
yet even been imagined. Find your passion, work
at it with all your heart and you might just change
the world.’
Andrew still keeps in touch with his university friends and
has fond memories of the years he spent in the city. ‘I have
so many good memories of my time at the University of
Portsmouth. I remember my first day, meeting new faces
and the strangeness of new buildings and hallways. I
remember my graduation, saying farewell to good friends
and the comfort of familiar haunts. Summer days studying
on Southsea Common, winter days dashing across the rainswept Guildhall square. I continue to make new memories
with friends that I made
during my time at
To find out more about
Portsmouth and, who
MantaWatch, please visit
knows, perhaps the best
www.mantawatch.com
are still to come.’
(left) A giant inflatable manta ray towers over the audience as
Indonesia’s Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries announces
protection for manta rays. Andrew Harvey/MantaWatch
12/08/2014 15:03
Your impact 27
Your
impact
As you know, being a student at
Portsmouth is about much more than
just completing a degree. We want
our students to have the opportunity
to develop new skills, make new
friends and gain valuable work
experience – that’s where the Annual
Fund comes in.
Through making donations to the Annual Fund, alumni and friends of the University are supporting
students and helping to make their time here as productive as possible. Your support is enabling our
students to make the most of the opportunities offered to them by university life, so a massive thank you
to everyone who has donated.
One area in which your donations have helped is by providing student hardship grants. Money donated to
this area is disbursed through our Student Finance Team to students who find themselves in genuine need.
‘I have obtained the offer of work with a marine
conservation company this summer in Indonesia.
As a marine biology student this will obviously
be a great experience for me to partake in field
research and strengthen my CV. Unfortunately the
pay I will receive from the job doesn’t cover the
costs of travel to Indonesia. An award will allow
me to travel to Indonesia and work first-hand with
research scientists. I would also like to return next
year to complete my dissertation project. I would
like to thank the donors for making this incredible
opportunity possible. I have already invested
time and money into this opportunity becoming
a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and a little
extra support will really help me meet the travel
requirements for this position.’
‘The grant meant that I could pay my
bills and my rent, which meant that
I could stop panicking and stressing
whilst I was revising for my exams. It
made my situation easier and means
everything to me as I have no other
financial help. Thank you.’
Final-year student, MSc Business
Economics, Finance and Banking
‘Over the summer I will be
writing my dissertation for my
Master’s. The grant has helped
me with accommodation costs
so I can utilise the library and
maintain regular meetings with
my tutor, all of which requires me to continue to live in Portsmouth. I
have also been able to buy some additional text books for both my
upcoming exams and for my dissertation research. I would like to thank
you for your donations, which go a long way to help students. When I
leave the University I will help by giving something back to the University
that has supported me over the last few years.’
First-year student,
BSc (Hons) Marine Biology
First-year student, LLM Law
The Annual Fund focuses on supporting current students in key
areas of university life, particularly in offering support to students
who find themselves in genuine financial hardship. This could be
through help with basic living costs, the provision of grants for
course resources or support for our postgraduate students.
The fund will soon become The Portsmouth Futures Fund.
Telephone Campaign
The University’s 2013 telephone fundraising campaign ran for
three weeks in November and we are delighted to announce
that we have raised an amazing £60,000. Added to the 2012
telephone campaign total, this means that you have pledged an
incredible £130,000 to support our students over the next five
years. Thank you!
The majority of the money raised has gone to the student
support and hardship area of the Annual Fund. It is being
disbursed by the Student Finance Centre through grants to
students who find themselves in genuine financial hardship.
The campaign was manned by our students, who thoroughly
enjoyed talking to our graduates about their time at Portsmouth
and what they have achieved since leaving University. They have
really appreciated the advice and inspiration that our alumni
have provided and we hope you enjoyed speaking to them
just as much.
‘I have really enjoyed being able to talk to former
students and hear real-life stories; some have been
truly inspiring and it has made me realise just how
many opportunities are out there after university. I
have spoken to a few alumni who now work recruiting
graduates and they have been able to give advice on
what to include in job applications.’
Samuel Holyoake,
BA (Hons) Spanish and Latin American Studies
‘I have received lots of really great career-defining
advice, which is one of my favourite parts of the
campaign. I have also been provided with a number
of contacts in local schools and colleges for work
experience. I have found it rewarding to raise money
that will allow both current and future students to
fulfil their potential.’
Beth Berrett,
BA (Hons) English Literature
During the last six months the Annual Fund has provided
hardship support to 22 students who fell outside of the criteria
for the University’s existing hardship funds. Thanks to your
generous support, we know this figure will continue to grow
with the aim of helping all students who need it.
We hope to speak with
many of you later this year
when we run our third
telephone campaign. In
the meantime, if you would
like more information
about the fund, please visit
www.port.ac.uk/
supportus.
12/08/2014 15:03
The ‘unexpected button toothed crocodile’ 29
The ‘unexpected
button toothed
crocodile’
Dr Steve Sweetman and fossil hunter Diane Trevarthen in the lab at Dinosaur Isle
A new species of tiny crocodile that
roamed the Earth 126 million years
ago has been identified by University
of Portsmouth palaeontologist Dr
Steve Sweetman, who has named
the species Koumpiodontosuchus
aprosdokiti, which means the
‘unexpected button toothed crocodile.’
Two fragments of a tiny skull were found three months apart
by different private collectors on a beach on the Isle of Wight.
The back half of the skull was found near Sandown by Diane
Trevarthen, while on a fossil-hunting holiday with her family.
She took the discovery straight to the Dinosaur Isle museum
and showed it to staff, who thought it might be part of a skull
belonging to a baby of one of the island’s well-known large
Cretaceous crocodiles.
Three months later Austin and Finley Nathan, also fossilhunting while holidaying on the Island, found another tiny
fragment of skull, this time a snout. They too took their find
to Dinosaur Isle to show it to staff, who immediately recalled
they had seen the back part of a similar small skull a few
months before.
Illustration of the Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti: Dr Mark Witton
‘The sheer serendipity of this discovery is
quite bizarre. Finding the two parts is, in
itself, remarkable. That they should be found
three months apart by different collectors
and taken to the museum where the
same members of staff were on duty, and
therefore able to recall the first specimen,
defies belief!’
On first inspection Dr Sweetman thought the skull belonged
to a crocodile known as Bernissartia fagesii, known from
skeletons of a similar age discovered first in Belgium and
later in Spain.
Dr Steve Sweetman on the beach
where the fossils were found
‘I was convinced it was a Bernissartia skull because of its
small size – the fully grown animal was only a little over
two feet long from nose to tail – but particularly because
of its button-shaped teeth, which are unique among
crocodyliforms. They were used to crush mollusc shells
and other invertebrates with tough outer coatings.’
However, closer examination soon revealed significant
differences in the arrangement of bones, suggesting that the
Isle of Wight skull may at least represent a new species.
Dinosaur Isle’s Gary Blackwell prepared the lower part of the
skull to free it of mineral encrustations. His work revealed the
bones of the palate and the inner opening of the airway from
the nose. ‘The position of this was most unexpected,’ said Dr
Sweetman.
‘The location of the hole in the mouth, where the airway from
the nose opens, was surrounded by bones at the very back
of the palate. This tells us that the discovery is not only a new
species but also a new genus of ancient croc closely related
to, but subtly different to, those alive today.’
Dr Steve Sweetman has published a paper on the
discovery in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. His
co-authors are University of Lyon postgraduate student
Ulysse Pedreira-Segade and University of Portsmouth PhD
student Steven Vidovic.
The museum asked Ms Trevarthen to return her specimen
so they could re-examine it and were delighted to find that
it fitted perfectly together with the snout. Both collectors
generously donated their specimens to the museum,
allowing scientific study of the complete skull.
Dr Sweetman, from the University’s School of Earth and
Environmental Sciences, said: ‘Both parts of this wonderful
little skull are in good condition, which is most unusual when
you consider that crashing waves usually batter and blunt the
edges of fossils like this within days or even hours of them
being washed onto the beach. Both parts must therefore
have been found very soon after they were released from the
mud and debris originally laid down on a dinosaur-trampled
river floodplain around 126 million years ago.
A figure from the journal paper with pictures and diagrams of the skull
12/08/2014 15:03
Our year of events 31
Ouryear
ofevents
Drinks Reception at the Mary Rose Museum
The University’s Alumni
Association has had an exciting
year, involved in organising not
only the Chancellor’s Dinner
but also a range of other events
for former colleagues and
classmates to network and
reminisce.
In May over 100 alumni and guests visited the award-winning Mary Rose
Museum, where they had the opportunity to take a tour of the museum at their
leisure, followed by drinks and canapés in the Admiral’s Gallery.
The £27 million Mary Rose Museum opened its doors to visitors in May 2013.
Located just metres from Nelson’s flagship, HMS Victory, and the ships of the
modern Royal Navy, the Tudor ship captured the world’s imagination when she
was raised from the seabed in 1982. She is the only sixteenth century warship on
display anywhere in the world and the museum built around her reunites her with
many of her 19,000 artefacts and crew.
Hosting an alumni event for the first time in his role as Vice-Chancellor of the
University was Professor Graham Galbraith, who our alumni were all keen to meet.
Alumnus and poet Simon Armitage
returns to the University
The University’s most famous literary alumnus, the poet Simon
Armitage, returned to Portsmouth in November last year to
give a poetry reading to a lecture theatre full of students, staff,
alumni and members of the public.
Simon Armitage studied geography at the University in the
early 1980s and went on to have a very successful career as a
poet, playwright and novelist. In 2010 he was awarded a CBE
for services to poetry. He is the author of 12 volumes of verse
including Seeing Stars and Black Roses and has become one
of England’s most respected poets.
Our speakers for the evening included Head of Interpretation at the Museum
Christopher Dobbs, who was not only part of the archaeological team who
helped to excavate the Mary Rose, but is also an alumnus of the University. He
delivered an engaging presentation, which was then followed by alumnus
Eddie Clamp, a Royal Navy diver who was also part of the excavation. Eddie
gave a heartfelt encounter about his connection to the Mary Rose.
As the evening drew to a close, our guests congregated on the outside deck to
watch a beautiful sunset. Alumna Carole Coren said of the event: ‘It was a most
enjoyable evening and really interesting to meet and hear the divers’ experiences.
The Mary Rose was fascinating and to see the sun set over the Victory was the
icing on the cake.’
Dr Páraic Finnerty, from the School of Social, Historical and
Literary Studies, was delighted to welcome the famous poet
back to the University. He said: ‘Simon Armitage’s poetry
reading is very significant because it is a reminder to our
staff and students that their University fostered, shaped
and influenced one of the most successful and respected
contemporary British poets, who has an international
reputation for literary excellence.
‘Not only is Simon one of Britain’s most admired contemporary
poets, he is also a wonderful reader of poetry who has a
reputation for making his poetry come alive.
‘Combining comedy and pathos, Simon’s poems capture the
realities of everyday life and do not shy away from its darker and
more absurd sides. His poems are incredibly funny, but they are
also very insightful and represent powerful statements of social
protest on behalf of those who are disadvantaged in society.’
The event was organised to celebrate publications by
members of the University’s Centre for Studies in Literature.
Alumnus Michael Newey gives a public lecture
Current President of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Michael
Newey, was invited to deliver a keynote address to students, staff, alumni and
members of the public in December. Michael is an alumnus of the University,
graduating from Portsmouth Polytechnic in 1986 with a degree in urban land
administration.
His lecture covered the role of the property profession both in the UK and
worldwide, its future growth and membership, its relationship with higher
education, and its broader contribution to the growth of the economy and the
welfare of society. Michael enjoyed returning to the University and used the
opportunity to get together with some of his old classmates.
From left to right: Professor Graham Galbraith, Eddie Clamp,
Dawn Perrier, Christopher Dobbs.
Victorian Festival of Christmas alumni visit
Alumni from all walks of life joined us for a morning of mince
pies and mulled wine in the Hub in Dennis Sciama Building on
Saturday 30 November, before heading to the Victorian Festival
of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Those who hadn’t
been to the University in a long time were given a guided tour of
the campus by current students, who were delighted to talk to
our guests about how the campus has changed.
Alumni Relations Officer Vicky Hodson said: ‘This was the perfect
event to kick-start Christmas. Alumni and their families got to
reminisce with each other over mince pies and mulled wine and
then got to experience the largest Christmas market on the south
coast, complete with Victorian entertainers, penny farthings,
chimney sweeps and cheeky pickpockets. It was the perfect
setting – a lovely cold but sunny winter’s day. I’m sure a good
time was had by all.’
12/08/2014 15:03
Cultural
exchange
Cultural exchange: best of Britsh and Mexico – Hugo van Belle
33
Hugo van Belle
Best of British
and Mexico
Hugo van Belle, a graduate of BA (Hons) Latin American
Studies, has made his home for the last 20 years in Mexico
City. He’s now involved in running the Morelia Film Festival,
Mexico’s equivalent of Cannes, alongside running his own
PR and branding firm, and being a British Council cultural
consultant and brand ambassador for Jaguar Land Rover.
We caught up with Hugo in
a break in his busy schedule
to find out more about his
career journey, how it’s
shaped him, and his crosscultural connections that
have enabled him to bring
the best of Britain to Mexico
and a wider understanding
of Mexico to Britain.
Early days
When I was living in the city in 1993,
during the year abroad part of my course,
I embarked on a modelling career,
making TV commercials and doing
fashion editorial and shows for Hugo
Boss, Armani and Gianfranco Ferré,
among others. On my return to Mexico,
I resumed this work and used it as a
platform for building up a network of
contacts in the advertising, production
and media worlds.
British Gentlemen’s Dining Society annual end of year dinner in
Mexico City (group of ex pat bankers and entrepreneurs).
My intention was to set up an event
management company which focused on
high production value events for brands
as well as hosting parties and concerts
with world renowned DJs. During that
time I opened three nightclubs and
helped bring Mexico City’s scene out of
its ongoing love affair with all things 80s.
I also helped set up one of the first
web design and hosting firms in 1996.
By 2000 I had set up a PR and events
production company with two Mexican
partners. We ran successful campaigns
and events for brands like Beefeater,
BMW and Johnnie Walker.
Spotlight on Mexico’s
cinematic talent
things Mexican, from food to cinema,
taking in architecture and art along the
way. We realised Mexico had no official
presence at London´s Cultural Olympiad
and decided to do something about
it. MexFest was focused on changing
perception, showcasing cultural exports
and attracting tourism and foreign
investment. We repeated the event in
2013 across London venues such as
V&A, Royal Academy, BFI, Canary Wharf
and RichMix Shoreditch, and involved
more British companies looking to invest
in Mexico.
visibility at the other events in Mexico,
mainly film festivals.
Best of British
Being the Jaguar Land Rover brand
ambassador, since 2012, is hugely
enjoyable. I am the image and
spokesperson for the brand as well as
recommending sporting and cultural
events for the brand to sponsor. The
company is kind enough to lend me cars
and often sends me vehicles to other
parts of the country if I have an event to
attend. There´s nothing like driving
a Jaguar F Type V8 convertible
on the race track at 3,000 metres
above sea level.
‘To some it may seem
chaotic and frenetic
but I find nothing but
inspiration and identity
in Mexico city.’
By 2002 my focus had shifted
to culture and film. I executive
produced an electronic arts festival
at the Palace of Fine Arts and
The Postal Palace (Central Postal
Office in a Palace) and was then
invited to help set up the Morelia
International Film Festival in 2003.
The festival is now Latin America´s
premier festival and has partnerships with
Cannes and the Oscars.
I set up my company BrandStar in 2006
with the aim of commercialising film
through various funds, tax incentives and
sponsorships. We initially focused on
product placement in feature films and
our current focus is on social conscience
documentaries.
Cultural exchange
London MexFest is something I created
with the British Council´s directors in
Mexico City. It’s a celebration of all
Hugo (second from left) at MexFest, London 2013, with Mexican actor and
director Diego Luna, whose film Chávez was shown as part of the festival.
My passion for Mexico is something
I need to share to help counter the
negative media exposure the country
continues to receive. I recently
participated in an editorial project that is
a series of testimonies from foreigners
who have lived, worked or travelled in
Mexico. It´s called Mexico: Another View,
and really is a positive step into changing
perception. It was presented at the
tourism fair in Berlin earlier this year.
Working in a consultancy role with the
British Council, I help bring in commercial
partnerships for cultural projects and
support the British Council in achieving
I genuinely feel studying Spanish
and Latin American Studies at
the University of Portsmouth has
benefitted my career, more than
anything because it helped me
look at the region in a different
light. Academic studies and
research into subjects such as
politics, language, history and
economics enabled me to engage with
Mexican business people on a level
where I came across as credible from
a graduate age, something I doubt
would have happened if I´d arrived in
Mexico with no relevant knowledge. The
course, combined with my year abroad
in Mexico, helped me develop a healthy
respect for business culture practices
as well as the country´s customs and
traditions.
I have been living here for 20 years now.
I always knew Mexico City would be my
home. To some it may seem chaotic and
frenetic but I find nothing but inspiration
and identity in this city.
12/08/2014 15:03
The Alumni
Association
The Alumni Association exists
to keep all former University of
Portsmouth students in touch
with the institution for life. Many
of you will have had a fantastic
experience while you were here
and made some really great
friends. We hope you will stay in
touch with us wherever you are
and whatever you are doing.
Benefits
Don’t forget as a registered member, you are
entitled to the following benefits:
•20 per cent discount when you enrol on a
postgraduate course at the University of
Portsmouth (excluding PGCE and MArch
courses). Terms and conditions apply.
• Invitations to events and reunions.
•Use of our careers service in the
Department of Employability for up to five
years after graduation.
•A discounted rate at the University of
Portsmouth gym.
•Attendance at any of our Public Lectures
free of charge.
•Free external library membership for the
first year following graduation.
• Support with organising reunions.
• NUS Extra card for a small fee.
•Business start-up mentoring and events for
up to five years after graduation.
•Quarterly email updates about the
University.
•Regular news and event updates on social
media.
• Use of the University’s Printing Service.
• Annual alumni magazine.
The Alumni Association 35
Thank you
We would like to thank all of our
donors for their ongoing support
Lateef Abdulsalam
Karen Addy
Jane Agar
Jamie Akers
Daniel Alderman
Ashkor Ali
Peter Anscombe
Berit Antonsen - Mortlock
Tracy Ashton-
Remnant
Kate Aston
Mark Austin
Temitope Ayodele
Belinda Baker
Jemma Barker
Sean Barker
David Barlow
Matthew Barnaby
Neville Barretto
CarolynBaseley
Satvinder Basra
Emma Bauld
Michael Baycroft
Virginia Ann Beacham
Abigail Beale
Richard Bearman
Sebastian Beynon
Marie-Louise Bickley
Daniel Biggs
Anne Binns
Neil Bishop
Natalie Bissell
Iain Bisset
Melena Biwole
Peter Blatchford
Graham Blogg
Peter Boileau
Daniel Bond
David Booth
Samantha Box
Sarah Brame
Michael Braunholtz
Michael Briggs
Robin Brock
Nicolas Brookes
Linda Brooks
Richard Brooks
Astrid Brown
James Brown
Karen Brown
Martin Browne
Philip Budd
Carol Budden
Mark Bullen
Neil Burns
Toni-Ann Byres
Ben Calvert-Lee
Gabriella Campitelli
Michael Capp
David Carson
John Carson
Elaine Carter
Carole Yvonne Caulton
Paul Chandler
Sandrine Choi
Adam Ciombor
James Clarke
Amanda Clayton
Mark Clee
Myles Clough
Kathryn Collet
Robert Collingridge
Brian Colthorpe
Tim Connolly
Andrew Cook
Martin Cooke
Diana Cooper
John Cornick
Rosemary Cornish
Susan Craven
Maxine Crawley
Janetta Croal-Salmon
Malcolm Cross
Caroline Cundy
Jeff Cuss
Tavy Cussinel
Iain Cuthbertson
Jay Da Costa
Kathryn Darby
Bronwen Davies
Jeremy Davies
Robert Dawes
Gae De La Fosse
Emma Deabill
Adam Delves
Faye Denyer
Olusesan Dere
Andrew Dixon
Ian Dowdall
Louise Drewett
Karen Dunlop
Nicholas Dunton
Simon Dure-Smith
Marilyn Dyason
Alice Edmanson
Mikyla Elsey
Daphne Elsom
Scaneya Emam
Gavin England
Justin Excell
David Fairlamb
Carole Fenton
Lesley Ferguson
Clare Ferris
Karen Fill
Andrew David Fisher
Stuart Fisher
Neil Flash
Alan Ford
Graham Ford
Daniel Foster
Paul Foster
Elizabeth Jane Fountain
Rob Fouracre
Andrew Franklin
Patricia Fray
Robert Freelove
Sue Garnett
Matthew Ginn
Neil Glasspool
Judith Glide
Richard Golden
Adam Grant
John Green
Nicholas Gregory
Richard Grethe
Clare Gribbon
Sharon Griffiths
Barbara Griggs
Thain Gummer
Andrew Hagon
Claire Hall
John Hall
Susan Hall
Paul Hallam
Julia Hames
Richard Hammer
Richard Hands
Stephen Harding
Steve Hartnell
Abdelgadir Hassan
Jane Hawkins
Miles Hawkyard
David Hayden-Case
Tracy Hayman
Nick Helme
Katherine Hendry
Philip Herrey
Alexei Hindoran
Daniel Hinton
Matthew Hinton
David William
Hockaday
Luke Hodgkinson
Julie Hoggett-
Thompson
Philip Holehouse
Elizabeth Holmes
Natalie Holt
Dan Hopgood
Luisa Hopkinson
Giles Horton
Jacqueline Hoskins
Angela Hounslow
Kay Howard Harris
Paul Humphriss
Christopher Hunsicker
Jim Hutchins
Samuel Hyam
Matt Hyland
Stefan Ilic
Jennifer Jackson
Michael Jackson
(David) Ian Johnson
Moira Johnson
Brian Jones
Grace Jukes
Yona Kanzen
Marc Kastner
Athanassios Katsanos
Patrick Kear
Stephen Keating
Rupert Keith
Neil Kelly
Alex Key
Andrew Kille
Stewart Larque
Paul Leatherland
Jillifer Lederer
Melisa Lee
Lorraine Lenaghan
Christopher Leslie
Sarah Lewin
Vaughan Leyshon
Hayley Jane Littlefield
Sylvia Lobo
Adrian Logan
Julia Lord
Michael Low
Susan Low
Patrick Lye
Joseph Macari
Alexander John
Mackenzie
Bianca Malata
Chloe Marshall
Huw Elwyn Marshall
Luke Martin
Alison Maw
Ben Mayers
Jane Mccallion
Stephen Mcculloch
Jeanette Mcdowell
Lauren McPeak
Musa Meah
Adrian Meaning
Rosie Mehmood
Christopher Merriman
Scott Metcalfe
Ian Michael
Andrew Millen
Vivien Mills
Jeremiah Mondry-
Flesch
Elsa Montgomery
Alan Moorhouse
Barbara Moran
Esther Morgan
Gavin Morgan
Geoffrey Morgan
Katharine Morgan
Claire Ann Morrison
Kathleen Moyse
Simon Mumford
Jason Murphy
Helen Neal
Simon Newton
David Noakes
Paul Norman
Joanne Nunns
Robert Oakley
Edmond O’Connor
Olubusola Omiyale
Olisa Onunkwo
David Padwick
Deborah Parboo
John Parvin
Kirit Patel (MBE)
Viraj Patel
Tim Patten
Martin Pearce
Elaine Peill
Matthew Penney
Catherine Perkins
Debra Phillips
Gary Pike
Robert Pilch
Jessica Louise Plowman
Mark Poole
Andrew Pothecary
Cheryl Prax
Jonathan Price
Steffen Priller
David Raper
Helen Rawlinson
Peter Reader
Penny Redwood
Angus Reeves
James Reid
Richard Reid
Caroline Reynolds
Jennifer Reynolds
Becs Rivett
Heather Robertrs
David Roberts
Sarah Roberts
John Robilliard
Pietro Rocchiccioli
Jean-Francois Rodrigues
Robert Rodrigues
Jacqueline Rogers
Phil Roker
Catriona Rowdon
Peter Rowe
Sarah Rowe
Kristian Ryder
Jojo Sachie
Helen Sagar
Marian Salisbury
Alberto Sande Guiance
Anne Scovell
Kassim Shittu
Paul Shonk
Malcolm Sidford
Angela Simmonds
Maria Simmonds
Mattthew Singleton
David Slade
Julie Sleeman
Verity Sloane
Natasha Sloman
Christopher Smith
Kelly Smith
Peter Smith
David Smyth
Barrie Somerville
Paul Southwick
Tracy Stace
Adam Stevens
Lavinia Stevenson
Tim Stirland
Benjamin Stockdale
Elena Stoeva
Monica Stoker
Deana Stone
Clare Struthers
Christine Sykes
Nigel Szymanski
Deborah Tamcken
Dennis Taylor
Kathryn Taylor
Lawrence Terroni
Ian Thomas
Ben Thompson
Jan Thompson
Sue Tomblin
Paul Truscott
Ian Turner
Christopher Tyler
Altaf Vaiya
Sonya Veerasamy
Simon Wain
Nick Waite
Mark Waldren
Elizabeth Walker
Peter Walker
Oliver Walter
David Walters
John Ward
Joe Were
Chris Wheeler
Pearl Wheeler
Roland White
Christopher Whitear
Timothy Wild
Peter Williams
Vincent Williams
Rebecca Wood
Sally Wood
Sally Wookey
Richard Worsley
Peter Worth
Adrienne Wright
Stephen Wright
Lucy Wyatt
Sophie Yanez Vila
Wendy Yarney
Adam York
Muhammed Zahid
The Lloyds Register
Foundation
The Lord Forte
Foundation
We would also like to thank all of
the individuals and organisations
who are not listed here or who wish
to remain anonymous.
Your will,
your legacy
The gift of a lifetime
After taking care of your family and friends, leaving a
gift to the University of Portsmouth in your will is an
effective way to ensure that your hopes and dreams
will live on once you have gone, as well as pave the
way for the success of future generations.
Every gift, no matter how large
or small will make a difference.
Email [email protected] or call 023 9284 2706
to request a copy of our legacy brochure.
12/08/2014 15:03
University of Portsmouth
Alumni Relations and Development
St Andrew’s Court
St Michael’s Road
Portsmouth PO1 2PR
United Kingdom
CBP0008353008112209
T: +44 (0)23 9284 2705
E: [email protected]
W: www.port.ac.uk/alumni
MD8855 0814
MD8855 0814_Update Alumni Magazine 2014.indd 36
12/08/2014 15:03

Astronaut and alumnus - University of Portsmouth

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