Notable alumni

Graduate profiles

Nick Leslau

Nick Leslau

BSC (Hons) Estate Management, 1982

Since graduating, Nick Leslau has gone on to head a multi million pound property and private equity firm Prestbury and become the owner of some prime chunks of London's real estate, including St Katherine Dock and Trocadero centre in Piccadilly Circus. He appeared on an episode of the Channel 4 programme, Secret Millionaire. Read his interview in Connected (page 20). 

Micah Car-Hill

Micah Car-Hill

BSc Food Science, 1999

After graduating Micah landed a dream job - inventing chocolate bars for Green & Black's. For the past five years Micah has been working exclusively on Green & Black's products and is involved in everything from food science to the supply side to working out how to market new products.

Phil Spencer

James Barnham

BSc Industrial Design, 2006

James Barnham recently appeared on the new BBC series of Dragons' Den. James was up against other entrepreneurs to pitch his product "Nova-Flo", a mechanical device which prevents bath water over-flowing by sensing the water level in a bath and shutting off the flow, automatically preventing a flood. The design won both an Institute of Engineering Designers award and a Prudential Championship award; and James got a first from LSBU.

Since the show, James has been inundated with offers for investment and believes he will be able to have Nova-Flo available in early 2007.

Mike Jatania

Mike Jatania

Accountancy 1983/4

Mike Jatania’s commercial passion and specialist knowledge lies in reviving and growing heritage brands.

After studying accountancy at LSBU, he started his successful business career with Lornamead Group. From holding a number of management roles in various countries, Mike became Chief Executive of the group in 1990. Over the years, he has driven the expansion of this global marketer of personal care brands by acquiring and revitalising well known heritage brands including Lypsyl, Harmony and Yardley.

Outside Lornamead, Mike supports not for profit organisations and philanthropic causes, such as the ABA for the London Chamber of Commerce, is a regular speaker at high profile events and is a member of the International Advisory Board of MBAs. He was recently awarded the Lloyds TSB Asian Jewell Award for Business and Commerce.

Phil Spencer

Shahid Malik

BA (HONS) Business Studies, 1991

In 2005 Shahid became one of a handful of Muslim MP’s and currently represents Dewsbury for Labour. After his election he became the only member of the new Labour intake to be appointed to the Home Affairs Select Committee. He subsequently picked up an award for best maiden speech of the new parliament. In 2006 he was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Schools Minister in the Department for Education and Skills.

By 31, Shahid was the youngest independent university governor (Sheffield Hallam University); the youngest independent assessor to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; and the country’s youngest and only ethnic minority chief executive of a major regeneration partnership company. Shahid was also a Commissioner of the Commission for Racial Equality from 1998 to 2002; a vice chairman of UNESCO UK; and a race equality adviser to the Home Office, prison service and Middlesex University. He spent five years on Labour’s National Executive Committee and he was a member of Gordon Brown's Economic Policy Commission.

Bridget Prentice

Bridget Prentice

LLB, 1992

Bridget started her career as Rector's Assessor at Glasgow University, became a teacher at London Oratory School in 1974 and Head of Careers in 1984. In 1986, she became Head of Careers at John Archer School.

Bridget’s political career began in earnest when she was elected Member of Parliament for Lewisham East in the 1992 General Election. She was Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Minister for Trade between 1998-99 and then to the Lord Chancellor from 1999-2001. She was also a Member of the Home Affairs Select Committee between 2001-2003 and a Government Whip until April 2005. Bridget was appointed as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Constitutional Affairs on 9 May 2005.

Bridget’s special interests in government include Home Affairs, Legal Reform, Education, Human Rights and Constitutional Reform.

Enoch Showunmi

Enoch Showunmi

Business Administration, 2003

Enoch Showunmi’s career has taken him from LSBU to the Champions League – via a stint in Rome as Patrick Vieira’s double in the 2002 Nike World Cup advert. After graduating Enoch decided to pursue his passion, football, and went to Luton Town making the transition from the amateur to the professional game. After making over 100 appearances for Luton, Enoch moved to Bristol City in summer 2006. He has also played for Nigeria twice. At the moment, Enoch is focused on seeing how far he can go with his football career, but is considering a return to business in the future.

Phil Spencer

Phil Spencer

BSc (HONS) Estate Management, 1996

Phil Spencer is passionate about property, he started his career with a degree in Estate Management at LSBU. When not running his highly successful property search company Garrington, he co-presents C4’s award winning property shows Location and Relocation. A qualified surveyor, Phil has become the 'Voice of the Property Buyer' and is now recognised as a leading UK Property Expert. Established in 1996 Garrington are well known within the industry and acquire exceptional properties for private clients in both city and country locations.