Alumni of the month - 2014 profiles

Whilst on the MSc Real Estate course at LSBU, Christian Birrell successfully balanced his studies with high-intensity training to reach the top of the Sailing world stage. He also recently qualified as a Chartered Surveyor and is currently working with DTZ Investors, a large European real estate firm managing over £7 billion of assets. Read more...

Alison McKenna was the first person in her family to study at university and since graduating from LSBU, she has led a diverse legal career and risen to the top of the profession. She was recently appointed President of the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber and, as a member of the Judges' Council Diversity Steering Group, has worked hard to promote greater diversity in the judiciary. Read more...

Donna Herdsman is the UK Public Sector Transformation Leader at Hewlett Packard, having also worked as an Executive Partner for IBM’s Global Business Services. Whilst at IBM she was also a Member of the Diversity Council and Executive Sponsor of IBM’s Ethnicity Leadership Team. Donna recently became a judge for the inaugural 2014 Black British Business Awards. She actively supports progression and personal growth for all but , in particular women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people. Read more...

June O’Sullivan MBE is CEO of the award-winning London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), the UK's leading childcare charity and social enterprise providing London’s diverse communities with day care and parental support. As well as being a regular television, radio and newspaper commentator on social enterprise and child poverty, June was also awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to children in London. Read more...

Sally Preston is a successful entrepreneur and founder of The Kids Food Company, an innovative and fast-growing food business that creates healthy frozen meals for children and toddler snacks across the UK and internationally under the brands of Babylicious, Kiddylicious and Munch B0agz. Read more...

Dr Marcia Persaud has led a varied and extensive career at the top of the healthcare and legal industries, teaching at postgraduate level in both fields. She is currently a Barrister at 1 Gray's Inn Square Chambers following six years at Albany Chambers and is also a qualified Public Access Barrister. Read more...

Following a successful twenty-year career, Roger Howard has helped shape UK drug policy and encouraged a wider debate amongst society by holding high-profile positions such as Chief Executive of the UK Drug Policy Commission (UKDPC). He has previously been Chief Executive Officer and Director of a number of drug and crime charities such as Crime Concern, DrugScope and Nacro. Read more...

Vibha Padalkar is Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer at HDFC Life, one of India’s leading life insurance providers and currently the only female CFO in the private life insurance industry. Read more...

Alan King is the Managing Director (Europe, Middle East and Africa) for Access Prepaid Worldwide at MasterCard. His role has enabled him to travel the world and work on the biggest project of his career - a £290 million acquisition of a business he now partly runs. Read more...

Rohit Jayakaran is Senior Presenter and Head of Digital for Arabian Radio Network, the largest operator of radio stations in the Middle East. He explained his curious transition from International Business graduate to a national media personality, entertainer and film-maker. Read more...

Former President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dinesh Bhugra, is currently Professor of Mental Health and Diversity at King's College London and will soon become the president of the World Psychiatric Association, leading over 200,000 Psychiatrists worldwide. Read more...

Scott McLachlan is currently Head of International Scouts for Chelsea Football Club. Having risen through the ranks of the football scouting industry, he attributes much of his success to the skills and knowledge acquired during the MSc Science of Sports Coaching he gained at LSBU. Read more...