Hartley News, Autumn 2011

Alumni Magazine | Autumn Edition 2011

Bringing medical innovation to life.

Working on the front line of research Enterprise lights the way in Africa How Southampton students are excelling in business Engineering sporting success Alumna Penny Clark aims for the Olympics In my own words A conversation with Sir George Buckley

In this issue

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I am really pleased to introduce this issue of Hartley News, the magazine for University of Southampton alumni.

At Southampton, we aspire to change the world for the better through our research, education, innovation and enterprise. Research shapes everything we do, from our innovative teaching methods to our impressive portfolio of spin-out companies. To highlight this ethos, the University is celebrating 40 years of studying medicine this year. On page 8 you can learn how our excellent work is helping to tackle some of the most challenging diseases we face as a society, by taking research from the bench to the bedside.

Those of you who graduated in the last couple of years may remember the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) programme, which encourages students to become socially responsible business leaders. This year the SIFE Southampton team gained national recognition for running a range of projects that are making a real difference within communities at home and abroad. I am proud to say that having won the UK competition, the Southampton team represented the UK at an international World Cup event in Malaysia. Read more about their achievements on page 12.

I am delighted to welcome Dame Helen Alexander to the University as our new Chancellor. Dame Helen was President of the CBI from 2009 to 2011 and Chief Executive for the Economist Group until 2008. Find out more in the interview on page 16.

Over the years we have supported promising athletes to develop their academic and sporting talents to their full potential. As the UK’s preparations for the Olympics are in full motion, on page 18 you can read how alumna Penny Clark (BSc Mechanical Engineering, 1997) is making her own preparations and how the University set her on course to succeed in sailing.

I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Hartley News and that you will continue to stay involved with your alumni community. With your continued support we can build on our success as one of the leading entrepreneurial universities in the world.

Professor Don Nutbeam (MA Health Education, 1983; PhD, 1988) Vice-Chancellor

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1 Bringing medical innovation to life Discover how the University is combating some of today’s most pressing diseases.

Page 8 2 Enterprise lights the way in Africa Learn more about how we help our students to excel in business.

Page 12 3 Engineering sporting success Find out how we set Penny Clark on course for the Olympics.

Page 18

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4 In my own words CEO of 3M, Sir George Buckley, talks about his time at Southampton.

Page 26

More highlights Chancellors past and present Meet our new chancellor, Dame Helen Alexander.

Page 16 Get involved Read how you can support our students in choosing the right career.

Page 22 Class notes Discover what your friends are up to.

Page 24

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University Research

Copper takes on the superbugs Seven million people around the globe contract a healthcare-associated infection (HAI) each year, costing over $80bn, according to the World Health Organization. Research at Southampton has discovered copper may help to eliminate this threat.

HAIs cause a range of symptoms from minor discomfort to serious disability and in some cases even death. High standards of infection control are crucial for containing the spread of such infections. However, despite aggressive hand washing campaigns and improvements in cleaning, infection rates remain unacceptably high. And as organisms like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria become resistant to many of the medicines we rely on to treat infectious diseases, options become limited.

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Professor Bill Keevil, Head of the Microbiology Group and Director of the Environmental Healthcare Unit at the University of Southampton, has been researching HAIs for several years and has discovered that the natural antimicrobial properties of copper and copper alloys dramatically reduce the presence of MRSA bacteria compared with stainless steel, which is commonly used in health institutions.

MRSA bacteria remain fully active for days on stainless steel surfaces whereas on brass (an alloy of copper and zinc) they die in less than five hours and on pure copper the superbugs are eliminated in just 30 minutes.

Copper may also help prevent the spread of Escherichia coli (E. coli), which was responsible for the recent health crisis in Germany. Bill has recently completed a study of copper’s efficacy against new

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

strains of E. coli and found that all strains died “rapidly” on copper. On a dry copper surface, E. coli is eliminated in 10 minutes.

By deploying copper as a surface metal in health equipment and as a touch surface in food preparation areas, copper will continuously kill any pathogens that settle on it, helping to prevent the spread of infection.

Bill presented his findings at this year’s World Health Organization’s International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control in Geneva.

£100k Alzheimer’s study Southampton scientists are investigating if a diabetes drug can treat Alzheimer’s disease, thanks to a grant from Alzheimer’s Research UK. Find out more about how our medical research is making a difference to patients’ lives on page 8.

Increasing food and fuel yields

World’s first ‘printed’ aircraft takes flight Southampton engineers have designed and flown the world’s first printed aircraft, which is set to revolutionise the economics of aircraft design.

The entire structure of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was printed on a laser sintering machine, which fabricates plastic or metal objects and builds up the item layer by layer.

Laser sintering allows designers to create shapes and structures that would normally involve costly traditional manufacturing techniques. A highly tailored aircraft can be developed from concept to first flight in days, rather than months. Furthermore, because the manufacturing process doesn’t involve any complex processes that require specialist tools, radical changes to the shape and scale of the aircraft can be made at no extra cost.

Southampton has been at the forefront of unmanned vehicle development since the early 1990s, when work began on the Autosub programme – a battery-powered submarine that travelled under sea ice to map the North Sea, and assess herring stocks.

The University is now launching a master’s degree in UAV design – the first of its kind.

The programme will cover unmanned marine and land-based vehicles as well as pilotless aircraft, typically used in environments that are deemed unsafe or uneconomic, such as exploration of under sea ice, or monitoring gas emissions from volcanic eruptions. UAVs are expected to become ‘standard tools’ in fields such as agriculture, earth observation and climate monitoring.

Graphene is a material made from a single atomic layer of carbon and is arranged in a two-dimensional honeycomb structure.

According to Dr Zakaria Moktadir of the Nano research group at the University, in the context of electronics, graphene could potentially replace or at least be used side-by-side with silicon devices.

Sumatran tsunami explained Unusual geological characteristics of the seabed and underlying sediment off Indonesia contributed to the devastating power of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, according to a study involving Southampton geologist, Dr Lisa McNeill.

Medieval theatres insight A wealth of documentary evidence on London’s medieval theatres and society has been brought together online as part of an international project led by Southampton Professor of English, John McGavin.

Combating asteroid threats

Southampton discovers key to smarter electronic devices A research team working in the new world-class Southampton Nanofabrication Centre has developed a transistor made from graphene – the world’s thinnest material – that achieves a record highswitching performance. It will make future electronic devices, such as PDAs and computers, even more functional and give a higher performance.

Southampton is part of a £6m transatlantic research project to overcome the limitations of photosynthesis and increase the yield of crops for food production or sustainable bioenergy. The study also hopes to find the blueprint for a fully artificial leaf capable of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

“CMOS (silicon complementary metal-oxidesemiconductor) downscaling is reaching its limits and we need to find a suitable alternative,” he says. “Other researchers had looked at graphene as a possibility, but found that one of the drawbacks was that graphene’s intrinsic physical properties make it difficult to turn off the current flow.”

Zakaria discovered that by introducing geometrical singularities (such as sharp bends and corners) in bilayer graphene nanowires, the current could be turned off efficiently.

“This is a breakthrough in the ongoing quest to develop advanced transistors as we progress beyond our current CMOS technology,” says Professor Harvey Rutt, Head of Electronics and Computer Science. “It will have major implications for next generation computer, communication and electronic systems.”

Southampton PhD student, Charlotte Norlund, has developed software that can measure human vulnerability and provide information about evacuating a threatened region prior to a collision of an asteroid with the Earth.

Discovering salmon feed sites Research led by Southampton has found that fish carry natural records of their feeding location in the chemistry of their scales, solving the long-standing mystery of where Atlantic salmon feed in the ocean.

File sharing system launched Southampton Postmaster for Electronics and Computer Science, Julian Field, has developed a free and secure web-based system to send files faster than by email and with no size restrictions.

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University News

Testing the engine design: The pilot of the human-powered aircraft drives the propeller using the bicycle, in a University wind tunnel

Students celebrate anniversary of first human-powered flight Southampton students are marking the 50th anniversary of the world’s first human-powered flight by entering a new aircraft into the prestigious £100,000 Kremer International Sporting Aircraft Competition.

The Kremer competition promotes the development of human-powered aircraft (HPA), which are powered solely by human energy during take-off, cruise and landing.

Southampton’s first successful take-off and landing was on 9 November 1961 and covered a distance of over 650m.

To win the Kremer prize, the 2011 team must twice navigate a 1,500m triangular course at least 5m above ground level at a speed of at least 17mph.

In order to achieve what is required to compete in and even win the Kremer competition, it’s essential for the team to exploit the advanced engineering technology that is now available. “Every aspect of the aircraft’s design did this whether it involved minimising weight, maximising efficiency or minimising drag,” explains Dr Alex Forrester, project coordinator and Senior Lecturer in the University’s Computational Engineering and Design Research Group.

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The design of the teams’ aircraft also incorporates a number of key differences from other HPAs, which the students hope will help them win the Kremer prize. A major innovation, for example, is an autopilot unit, developed by a Southampton graduate, to aid control of the HPA and to allow the pilot to concentrate on putting maximum effort into generating power to fly the aircraft rather than maintaining straight and level flight.

“Although the aim of the Kremer competition is to promote the production of an aeroplane suited to athletic competition, the potential applications of the aircraft are much wider. Perhaps the application with the largest business potential involves harnessing the power of the sun,” says Alex. “By simply adding an electric motor powered by photovoltaic solar cells to the original aircraft it could remain airborne indefinitely, opening a wide range of possibilities.”

Alumni gifts have been instrumental in getting this project off the ground. We and the project team are very interested to hear from the alumni who were involved in the 1961 project. Please contact us with your memories of the event.

Education for the best students, regardless of background In response to radical changes to the funding of higher education in England, we are introducing some innovative changes to our education and student support at the University of Southampton.

Commenting on the proposals, Vice-Chancellor Professor Don Nutbeam said: “We want to ensure that the University of Southampton maintains its leading position as a place of opportunity for talented students regardless of their background. We recognise the genuine As our Vice-Chancellor discussed during his concerns about debt expressed by prospective interview for the last edition of Hartley News, students starting their degrees in 2012 will benefit students, especially those from households from a more flexible curriculum with opportunities with lower income, and are offering some of the most generous fee waivers in the sector. to personalise their learning. They will also have generous fee waivers and bursaries following “Our fees have been set at a level that will the unprecedented cuts to higher education enable us to secure the future of the University funding. In addition, we will be introducing the following government funding cuts, and invest Southampton Entitlement, a £300-per-year in improvements in the quality of teaching credit for all undergraduate students to spend and the overall experience of students at on services such as sports membership, access the University.” to campus arts venues and local public transport.

Life Sciences Building awarded architectural prize

Community role appointment Southampton graduate and community governor for Swaythling Primary School, Frankie Fry (BSc Psychology, 2011), has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Welfare and Communities by the Southampton University Students’ Union (SUSU). SUSU has created the position to help engage with and create links with the local community.

Birthday honours for Southampton alumni A host of leading figures with links to Southampton have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Professor Peter Gregson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University until 2004, has received a knighthood for services to higher education.

Also knighted is Professor Steve Smith (PhD International Studies, 1978), ViceChancellor of Exeter University. Dr George Buckley (PhD Engineering, 1976), CEO of 3M, also received a knighthood (see page 26).

Dr Nasser Siabi (PhD Electronics and Computer Science, 1991), the founder of Microlink, was awarded an OBE.

Prestigious award for Southampton scientist World-leading rheumatologist and Director of the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, Professor Cyrus Cooper, has been awarded the Heberden Medal of the British Society for Rheumatology for his research in epidemiology and the prevention of osteoporosis.

The Life Sciences Building has been recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in its 2011 awards.

The RIBA awards are presented to buildings that have high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment. The Life Sciences Building, a £50m investment in the Highfield campus, opened in September 2010. It provides an integrated research base where life sciences staff and students can expand their academic interests and activities by working with scientists and engineers from other areas within the University.

Peter Smith, Director of the Institute for Life Sciences, which is based in the new building, comments: “This brilliantly designed building is not only energy efficient and sympathetic to the environment, it also provides an

inspirational space for creative thinking and learning.”

Commenting on its design by architects NBBJ, the RIBA judges said: “The building is active at every level – well lit, with intriguing perspectives and it works well environmentally and, just as importantly, acoustically.”

RIBA judges also recognised the University’s cross-disciplinary research vision in bringing together medicine and biological sciences students and academics with research groups in electronics and computer science.

This project attracted the University’s largest ever single philanthropic gift made by an individual. Malcolm and Jill Isaac, through their charity the Malcolm Isaac Charitable Trust, funded the building’s spectacular suite of rooftop glasshouses.

High praise for our chemists Four Southampton scientists have been named in a list of the world’s highestachieving chemists. Professors Phil Bartlett, Phil Gale and Malcolm Levitt, together with Emeritus Professor Mike Hursthouse, appeared in Chemistry World magazine’s list.

University alumni honoured Music producer Brian Eno (Winchester School of Art graduate, 1969), BBC TV presenter Jon Sopel (BSc Politics, 1981) and High Court judge Sir Adrian Fulford (BA History, 1974), together with our former Vice-Chancellor Sir Bill Wakeham, became honorary graduates of the University this summer.

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Feature

“Anybody who does research at the University has some sort of enterprise approach; it’s amazing how much entrepreneurial activity is going on in biomedicine.”

Professor Paul Townsend Professor in Molecular Cell Biology and Associate Director of Enterprise and Innovation

In Alzheimer’s disease protein plaques build up on neurones in the brain restricting their function

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

Bringing medical innovation to life Today’s population faces new challenges, some a result of our changing lifestyles and others of changing demographics. As the study of medicine at the University of Southampton reaches its 40th anniversary, we take a look at how we continue to work on the front line of research, at the heart of combating some of today’s most pressing diseases.

A changing population In almost every country, the proportion of people over 60 is growing faster than any other age group. And with this ageing population comes health issues such as Alzheimer’s disease, which currently affects around 450,000 people but is predicted to rise to one million by 2021. “A huge proportion of us are going to get Alzheimer’s disease because the population is getting older. It’s an issue that’s not going away,” says Clive Holmes, Professor of Biological Psychiatry, who does clinical Alzheimer’s research at Southampton.

An ageing population is also largely responsible for the statistic that one in three people will now develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, according to Martin Glennie, Professor in Immunochemistry. “Diet and exercise also have some influence on cancer incidence,” he adds.

An unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise also bring the threat of obesity ever closer, which increases the risk of getting chronic conditions, such as diabetes. “The reason type 2 diabetes is occurring in younger people and we are even seeing it in children is most likely because the population is becoming more overweight and obese,” explains Christopher Byrne, Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism. “The increasing numbers of new cases of type 2 diabetes are driven by this inexorable increase in body weight, and all of the complex problems that lead to that.”

Fresh perspectives The University is rising to the health challenges we face through generating ideas in research and challenging established theories.

For example, Clive and colleagues have worked on key research that questions the established theory that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a build-up of a protein called amyloid, which forms plaques in the brain.

“We were the first people to do clinical trials on vaccines that were hoped to remove amyloid plaques,” explains Clive. Although there was initial success and a “huge surge of interest” in the vaccine concept, Clive’s team followed patients through the entire course of their disease and found that removing amyloid plaques didn’t prevent a decline in memory.

“This has made drug companies question the importance of plaques in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and has directly shown that the removal of plaques in established Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the answer,” says Clive. “We have been pivotal in moving the vaccine area towards earlier treatment and to different targets because we have got a completely open mind. The only way you are going to move forward in this field is by having some independent groups who are able to do basic scientific research. We introduce new ideas and are objective about our findings,” he adds.

Bench to bedside The University has an excellent reputation for taking ideas from the laboratory and developing them into treatments for patients.

Back in the 1970s, for example, the University started on the trail to find antibodies to treat cancer and today there are around 10 antibodies that are now routinely used to treat the disease. “Much of that whole concept started in Southampton,” explains Martin. His team are now looking at an antibody that can trigger a patient’s own immune system to kill cancer.

“We first published that certain antibodies could promote anti-cancer immunity in 1999 and this year Southampton scientists led by Professor Peter Johnson are completing the first clinical trial to test safety and potency of an immune stimulating antibody. This is part of a major antibody discovery program in Southampton funded by Cancer Research UK,” says Martin.

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Research with impact

A tough climate for funding

The University has influence in medicine and is at the heart of efforts to change the course of diseases and bring solutions to patients.

Southampton’s academics are always striving to solve new medical challenges but funding is essential and this has become tougher in recent times. “Because of the financial crisis the opportunities for research are more difficult now than they were say five to 10 years ago,” explains Richard.

“An awful lot of what we are doing is trying to find new treatments,” explains Christopher. Christopher is currently striving to find a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and may occur in as many as 70 per cent of people with the condition. There is currently no available therapy aside from losing weight and trying to be more active. Christopher is investigating if a medicine derived from fish oil can decrease liver fat and is currently running a trial in 100 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease recruited across Wessex.

Richard Holt, Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology, has been working on links between diabetes and mental illness and the health inequalities that people with these conditions face. His work led to a local primary care trust in Southampton improving screening for diabetes in people with severe mental illness and he has contributed to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. “I think our work is having quite an impact on healthcare delivery, not only locally, but on a national scale as well,” he says.

The University’s research in Alzheimer’s disease is also striving to change the course of the disease for patients. Clive is working on ways to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s “quite dramatically” so people can live fuller lives. “If we start treatment early enough, we might get to a stage where people are only very mildly impaired.

They could lead a full life with minimal impairment,” he comments.

Martin is also leading on the strategy to combat cancer in the future.

“We think in the future, you will probably get conventional treatment such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but without something that boosts your immune system like our antibodies do, you will never cure the cancer or control the cancer long-term so that’s where we see our research going in the next decade.”

Enterprise In the last decade, an impressive 13 successful companies have been spun out from the University of Southampton, all of which originated from ideas and research developed here. Southampton’s medical academics deliver innovative ideas that frequently have commercial potential.

Paul Townsend, Professor in Molecular Cell Biology and Associate Director of Enterprise and Innovation, spun out Karus Therapeutics following a four-year collaboration between the University and Cancer Research UK. With an initial investment of £750,000, it was the biggest seed-funded spin out of any university in the country.

“Enterprise and innovation is one of four equal pillars of the University along with teaching, research and outreach,” explains Paul.

“Anybody who does research at the University has some sort of enterprise approach; it’s amazing how much entrepreneurial activity is going on in biomedicine.”

Martin has established collaborations with companies all over the world for cancer antibodies and credits the University’s good relationships with industry. “Relationships often start at an academic level to get a research collaboration going and then hopefully, with help from the University, we can put agreements in place, which support research and protect intellectual property as it arises. There is enterprise at all levels to make the most of the knowledge base within laboratories.”

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Despite these challenges we remain among the top 15 UK universities for research and receive more than £95m in research grants and contracts each year from a variety of sources, such as charities, research councils and alumni.

“Alumni contribute annually to our research, and some fund entire projects such as Postgraduate Research scholarships. There are all sorts of ways to get involved,” explains Martin.

If you are interested in funding medical research at the University to help maintain our success, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni/getinvolved

Inspiring healthy choices LifeLab is an innovative programme run by the University to raise teenagers’ awareness of health through educational activities. It has been so successful that there are plans to expand its support, both locally and internationally.

Since the scheme launched in 2008, nearly 300 teenagers have taken part in activities that allow them to discover how their diets and lifestyles can affect their risk of developing conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, and how to lay the foundations for a healthier life. LifeLab now aims to establish a dedicated space for the programme.

“With a permanent home, LifeLab could engage with up to 5,000 children a year,” says Claire Thompson, Senior Development Manager at Southampton. “The University and Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust have made a substantial investment to provide a space for LifeLab in the new Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, and we now need to raise £1.5m to fit out the facility and operate LifeLab for three years, after which we plan for it to be self-sustaining.”

The LifeLab team hopes to then develop a virtual LifeLab, which will enable children from around the world to access this innovative approach to science education.

To find out how you can help raise the funds for LifeLab to continue inspiring children, contact Claire Thompson at claire.thompson@southampton.ac.uk See page 20 to find out how you can get involved with celebrating 40 years of medicine at Southampton.

“Our work is having an impact on healthcare delivery, not only locally but on a national scale as well.�

Richard Holt Professor of Diabetes and Endocrinology

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Feature

Enterprise lights the way in Africa The University of Southampton channels its enterprising ethos into the activities of its students by providing them with the tools and support they need to develop social ventures and commercial enterprises that have a positive impact on people’s lives.

Recently a team of enterprising Southampton students launched a project, ‘Right Light’, to improve standards of living and future economic opportunities in rural African communities, by replacing kerosene with solar lamps.

Kerosene lamps have been the traditional source of light in rural communities across the developing world.

However, the lamps emit toxic fumes that affect respiratory health and provide poor quality light.

Kerosene is also expensive; at times accounting for a third of a family’s expenditure.

Solar lamps offer a solution to this problem, but at a cost of £12 each they are unaffordable for any families, who may only earn £8 a month. Right Light has put in place a microfinance scheme, where families pay 10 per cent of the cost in the first month followed by weekly repayments of 20p over the remaining 12 months. The project has

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been trialled with 93 families across three communities in Madagascar, with great success. It has reduced their family expenditure by 10 per cent, helped more than 400 children study better at night and improved the health of three quarters of family members. Two local entrepreneurs now also rent the lamps out on a nightly basis.

Michael Austin, second-year geography student and founder of Right Light, comments: “Right Light is innovative as it brings together microfinance and a product that is already capable of changing lives. Microfinance has traditionally been based around helping individuals grow their business and not to enable them to afford products that either save or generate money: this is what Right Light supports,” says Michael. “The fact that it is not the microfinance industry or solar lamp manufacturers who have made this first step, but university students thousands of miles away, is perhaps innovative in itself,” he adds.

Southampton works on a mix of social ventures and commercial enterprises that aim to improve the lives of communities

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This autumn a team of student entrepreneurs from Southampton is heading to Malaysia to represent the UK in a global business championship. The group of young entrepreneurs were recently crowned 2011 national champions in the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) competition for business leaders of the future. SIFE is a not-for-profit global organisation that encourages university students to make a difference within their communities, while simultaneously developing their skills to become socially responsible business leaders. The annual SIFE competition challenges students around the world to create enterprises that are ethical, sustainable and improve quality of life both locally and around the world.

Guided by university and business advisors, students run real-life projects that create economic opportunities for others. Every year SIFE organises a series of regional and national competitions that give teams a platform to present the results of their projects, which are then judged by business leaders. The overall winners go on to represent their country in the SIFE World Cup, which will be hosted in Malaysia this year.

Jack Stanbury (MEng Civil Engineering, 2011) is president of SIFE Southampton. He says: “The real-life experience of creating and running business programmes in a socially responsible way has transformed the way I think about my future. It has been such a valuable opportunity for me.”

Micro finance makes solar lamps affordable in African communities

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

The SIFE Southampton team is channelling its energies into no less than six different projects, one of which is Right Light. “Our project is a testament to why students should get involved in social enterprise, particularly SIFE, while at university. It offers a chance to be enterprising and innovative while creating positive change in the world,” says Michael.

– The SIFE competition runs in over 40 countries worldwide.

– Around 2,500 students take part in the SIFE UK programme each year, making it the largest university enterprise competition in the country.

– SIFE Southampton was set up in 2009.

– The current Southampton team – made up of maths, geography, civil engineering and management students – is completely financially independent through its profit-generating businesses.

All the SIFE Southampton projects are a mix of social ventures – at home and abroad – and commercial enterprises that aim to improve the lives of communities and the individuals within them, through teaching skills in business, generating incomes or helping new businesses to get off the ground.

graduates who come up with enterprising ideas. Alumnus Eddie Smith (see below) was just one of those who has benefited from a Business Spark! grant, which helped him to set up his own business back in Ireland. Our valuable alumni and contacts in the local business community help train and mentor the scheme’s successful applicants.

Closer to home, unemployed Southampton teenagers are benefiting from another SIFE project, ‘Wise Mind’, which gives them the chance to develop their business, finance, communication and interpersonal skills by learning through experience, to help them move into employment.

Southampton City College has been so impressed with the project that it has made Wise Mind part of its curriculum.

The University recently launched an enterprise fund to support activities that inspire our students to become the innovators of tomorrow. Last year, generous gifts from alumni and friends to this area helped to fund the first ‘Dynamo Enterprise Boot Camp’ event, in which five universities took part. The competition – styled around the hit British television programme Dragons’ Den – challenged students to solve a real business problem, and once again Southampton students came out on top.

SIFE is just one of the entrepreneurial initiatives at which the University excels. Many alumni will remember Fish on Toast, the long-standing student-run society for budding entrepreneurs. Fish on Toast increased its membership significantly over the last year, thanks to its profile-raising activities across campus, and it regularly welcomes successful graduates back to campus to speak to members.

A start-up funding scheme called ‘Business Spark!’ provides up to £2,500 in grants to students and recent

To find out how you can make a difference to Southampton’s next generation of entrepreneurs, see the ‘Get Involved’ section on page 22 or visit www.southampton.ac.uk/supportus If you would like to make a gift to the enterprise fund or to any other area, you will find a donation form enclosed within this magazine.

A sporting chance Q

What’s Athletic Development all about?

Q

How did Southampton help you set up your business?

Q

What would you say to students or recent graduates thinking of setting up their own company?

It’s about taking sports science from an elite level and bringing it down to the grassroots level in a practical format for everyday coaching.

The University has a lot going on with regards to enterprise.

I entered the Business Spark! competition and I managed to get £500 funding towards setting up a website. The enterprise society has a lot of resources and information too.

Eddie Smith (MSc Physiotherapy, 2012) was a successful schoolboy footballer, representing Ireland several times.

During his undergraduate studies in Dublin he began developing ideas for bringing strength and conditioning training products and techniques to a wider, non-specialist audience. Coming to Southampton to study for a master’s degree cemented his business model and Athletic Development, a company that helps young athletes to reach their full potential, was born.

First, do your research and try to get as much help as possible.

Second, be patient! This has been going on for me for about three or four years and I went through various different versions to get things up and running. Finally, just be prepared to go for it while you haven’t got any commitments or before you’re tied down. www.southampton.ac.uk/studententerprise/startupsupport

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

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Feature

Chancellors past and present Dame Helen Alexander was honoured earlier this year for her services to business. President of the CBI from 2009 to 2011 and Chief Executive for the Economist Group for 11 years until 2008, in August this year the University welcomed her to Southampton as our new Chancellor.

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Hartley News spoke to Dame Helen on her first visit to the University as Chancellor.

Q

Why did the opportunity to be Chancellor of this university appeal to you?

I have been interested in education for a long time. As President of the CBI, I was struck by how much of an interest business people were taking in the education system and in getting it right in this country.

It mattered very much to people that the graduates coming into the business world were well trained and well educated.

I was also interested in this role because of the stature of Southampton itself. I have been aware for many years how good a university this is.

Southampton is doing some extraordinary things and it’s exciting to be involved.

Q

What aspects of your background will be particularly relevant to your role at Southampton?

The CBI recently joined with the National Union of Students on a report to help students understand the employability skills that employers are looking for when they graduate, so they can make the most of their time at university. Employability is, and will continue to be, a crucial issue.

Q

Do you have fond memories of your own time at university?

I loved my time at university as an undergraduate and I would do it again at the drop of a hat. I was a geographer at a time when the subject was just emerging as a ‘real’ discipline.

I have benefited from my geography degree in everything I have done.

It really came into its own when I was heading up the Economist Intelligence Unit, which has a global presence.

I also loved doing my MBA and in my professional life it has made a huge difference. It helped me see the possibility for skills transfer from sector to sector; it opened things up for me.

I was clear in my early conversations about this opportunity that I only wanted to be involved if there were some real ways that I could be helpful to the University. There are three particularly strong links: the marine and oceanography field through my role as Chair of the Port of London Authority; as a Trustee of the WWW (World Wide Web) Foundation, I’m already linked into that field; and as Trustee of the Tate Gallery, I have a strong connection to the creative industries so am looking forward to being involved with the Winchester School of Art.

Q

Given your busy career, how do you find time to relax?

I am very interested in finding out more about the people here – the students and staff who are shaping the University – and exploring further the amazing depth and breadth of Southampton’s portfolio.

I think this could be better known externally.

Q

And finally, do you have a farewell message for Sir John Parker?

Q

Is there anything you would particularly like to positively influence at Southampton, at a time of huge change within the higher education sector?

I hope to influence the view of Southampton graduates and their employability in the business world in this country.

Farewell to Sir John Parker

I’ve just come back from a holiday sailing in Croatia with my family. It was warm, relaxing and a fantastic way to be together.

My family is used to my habit of pointing out all the interesting geographical features along the way!

I have huge respect for the contribution Sir John has made to the University, as well as to the wider business world in the course of his career. I hope that as the University develops over the next few years I can continue to build upon the great work he has done in advising and encouraging the organisation, using my own knowledge and experiences.

Outgoing Chancellor (2006-2011), Sir John Parker, Chairman of the National Grid plc and Anglo American plc, has a formidable track record in the business world. In addition to the generosity he has shown the University with his time and advice over the last five years, it was with his guidance that Southampton took the first steps towards a relationship with Lloyds Register, which recently culminated in a unique multi-million-pound partnership to form a Maritime Institute here. Hartley News asked him what his time as Chancellor has meant to him.

“I have greatly enjoyed being Chancellor.

I will have fond memories of presiding over graduation, shaking hands and sharing a short

conversation with so many of our talented graduates. I know many of those I have met are already forging successful careers, with the benefit of the skills and experience of their Southampton education.

“Over the past five years I hope and believe I have provided support and encouragement to the University to continue nurturing the wonderful culture of enterprise that exists here. I also hope I have played a positive role in helping the University prepare for the monumental changes that are taking place in the sector. As I bid farewell to my role as Chancellor, I consider Southampton to be in a strong position and I wish the University well.”

Photographed by H Tempest Ltd

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

17

Feature

Engineering sporting success Penny Clark graduated from the University of Southampton in 1997 with a degree in mechanical engineering. She has gone on to become one of Great Britain’s leading sailors. Ranked third in the world and winner of silver and bronze medals at World Cup events, she cites her time at Southampton as the ideal launch pad for her career.

Image courtesy of: Richard Langdon/Skandia Team GBR

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

Penny was first attracted to the University because of its location and excellent reputation.

“It was fantastic to be at a university near the coast.

Southampton has a really good sailing team and that was certainly one of the big things that attracted me. It was just great to have all of the facilities the University offers to carry on sailing while I was studying for my degree.

And it’s one of the best universities in the country for mechanical engineering,” says Penny.

Penny was sponsored to do her degree by the Royal Navy and sailed in the British team during her time at Southampton.

“I knew I wanted to go to the University of Southampton but at the time the Royal Navy had its own engineering college in Manadon, Plymouth. I was lucky enough to be one of the few to be selected to actually choose my own civilian university rather than going through Manadon.

I was able to continue my training with the Royal Navy throughout my degree so that was fantastic and the two things really went hand in hand. I had the fun and civilian side of being at a normal university but also the chance to learn from working in my summer holidays and putting into practice the engineering I learnt while I was at university,” says Penny.

After graduating, Penny worked for the Royal Navy for a time until she returned to the British sailing team.

“Having an engineering degree gives me an understanding of what we are testing on the shore, what we are looking for in the equipment and also the limitations of how you are testing that. And I can then use my sailing expertise to realise what I’m feeling on the water, what we are seeing on the water and why that might differ from static testing we do on the shore,” she explains.

Selection for the 2012 Olympics hasn’t taken place yet but Penny is hopeful she will make the team.

“I went to Beijing in 2008 and came 10th but was pretty disappointed with my performance there. I felt I had learnt so much in the two years prior to Beijing that I had to give it another go, so I changed boats from the laser radial into the 470 class and I’ve been championing that since. We have had a huge amount of success this year and we’re hoping that with continued success we will get selected to go to 2012.

“I think any athlete would love to compete at a home games. To have the opportunity in my own lifetime and to be one of the top contenders to win at the games, it would be just amazing to get there and win a medal on home waters,” says Penny.

Sailing is particularly attractive to Penny because of the range of skills it allows her to both draw upon and develop.

“I went out to Athens as training partner to the potential gold medallist Shirley Robertson and that instigated my interest to get back involved. In 2005, I started getting back involved in Olympic sailing before going full time in 2006 and I’ve been full time ever since – trying to win that elusive gold medal!”

“For me it encompasses so much because there’s a technical side on the shore to the boat where I can utilise my engineering knowledge and then there’s a skill side on the water. On top of that there is lots of fitness training so it suits all-rounders like me. There is lots to get involved in and I can develop my own skills and professionalism, and hopefully win a medal at the end of it.”

Penny believes her degree has given her a real advantage in the highly competitive sport of sailing.

To keep track of Penny’s sailing career and build up to the Olympics, visit www.rya.org.uk

“With the boat we are sailing at the moment there is a lot of technical stuff in development. Despite the fact that the boat’s been around for several years now, there are new manufacturing methods, sails and equipment.

There’s always development and opportunity to make your boat go faster,” says Penny.

Having a degree in mechanical engineering has given Penny a head start in developing her boat to stay competitive.

Women in engineering Penny has kept in touch with the University and contributed to the success of future students through her involvement with ‘Women in Engineering’ groups.

For information on how you can get involved with alumni activities in engineering, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/ses/alumni/index.page

A degree in mechanical engineering has given Penny an understanding of the technical elements of sailing

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

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Alumni News

Hartley Circle donors mark founding year

The University was founded on philanthropy and many of our alumni and friends continue this noble tradition by supporting Southampton today.

Last year we launched the Hartley Circle, a group which recognises donors who give £1,000 or more each year to the University. Their support means we can take advantage of new opportunities, plan for the future and respond to the ever-changing needs of our academics and students. In this founding year, we have welcomed more than 40 individuals into the Hartley Circle, including alumni, friends and current and previous members of staff.

We were delighted to celebrate the group’s success at the first Hartley Circle reception in June. Members (pictured above) gathered in the observatory on the top of one of the University’s newest buildings – the award-winning Life Sciences Building (see page 7) – and enjoyed meeting and hearing from the Vice-Chancellor and others about the impact of the

Circle’s support. Guests had the opportunity to meet with scholarship students who benefit from philanthropic gifts and heard from new graduate Joe Harris (BA English, 2011) about his experiences as a Telephone Appeal caller and as a donor to the University.

The event took place during National Donor Pin Week, which gave Hartley Circle members the chance to raise the University’s profile by celebrating the act of philanthropic giving to higher education.

Our Hartley Circle members are a mix of alumni and interested individuals who share one passion: to see our students, our academics and our researchers thrive. They have all made an investment in the future of higher education and the continued success of the University of Southampton.

For further details and to find out how you can contribute, please see www.southampton.ac.uk/supportus or call us on +44 (0)23 8059 9079.

Southampton Stags reunite Calling all Southampton medics This academic year marks 40 years since the first 60 students began their studies in medicine here at Southampton. Since then more than 5,000 students have followed in their footsteps – if you are one of them we would love to hear from you.

To help celebrate the 40th anniversary, we are looking for photos and memories from your time as a Southampton medic and updates on what you have gone on to achieve. If you would like to contribute, please contact Lee Williams, Marketing Officer, at lee.williams@southampton.ac.uk or on +44 (0)23 8079 6760.

So you don’t miss out on the celebrations, please update your contact details (particularly your email address) at alumni@southampton.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)23 8059 2747.

Please also let us know about your former classmates with whom we may have lost touch.

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

Saturday 16 April saw more than 100 alumni who graduated before 1960 return to campus to enjoy their Stags’ Reunion. After lunch in the Students’ Union and a welcome from Professor Adam Wheeler (Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor), guests were treated to a presentation about population change in the UK from one of the University’s experts, Professor Jane Falkingham.

Guests spent the afternoon touring the Highfield Campus and nearby halls of residence, and a cream tea rounded off an exceptional day of reminiscing and catching up.

Many guests also generously contributed to the Class Gift. Clinton Silver (BSc Economics, 1950; Honorary Degree 1997) announced that a total of over £6,000 was raised by alumni, which will help to support the University where the need is greatest through the Vice-Chancellor’s Strategic Fund.

Hold the date

Good sports

Southampton’s Diamond Jubilee Alumni Reunion Experience 31 August to 2 September 2012 Will you be joining us?

Postgraduate alumni event sparks debate

Three hundred alumni and current students attended the annual Alumni Sports Day at Wide Lane and the Jubilee Sports Centre on 7 May. It was a fun-packed day for everyone involved, with the current students’ team emerging victorious over the alumni team.

Thanks to feedback from our postgraduate community, we held our first postgraduate alumni event this year on 19 March.

Connecting with future students

Fifty alumni came along to an afternoon of talks on the theme of environmental change, followed by a networking reception.

Alumnus Professor Robert Nicholls (BSc Geology, 1979; PhD Engineering & Applied Science, 1985), coastal management expert, alumna Professor Jane Francis (BSc Geology, 1978; PhD Science, 1983), a specialist in interpreting climate change through the study of fossil plants, and atmospheric chemistry expert, Professor John Dyke, each presented their own perspective on the topic. Alumni sparked interesting debates with the speakers and current postgraduate students, and several enthusiastic discussions spilled over into the reception.

The afternoon was a great success and gave us a lot of ideas for future alumni get-togethers. If you have any feedback on alumni events, please get in touch at alumni@southampton.ac.uk

Members of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations attended the University’s open days this year and met with young people who are thinking about studying at Southampton.

The University welcomed approximately 19,000 prospective students and parents over the course of our two open days in July. And a further 14,000 were welcomed to two open days in September. We told everyone we met about our vibrant alumni community and the impact your involvement is having on the University.

We were also pleased to reconnect with many alumni who are now parents of prospective students. So if you are visiting with your children or friends in future years, don’t forget to stop by the alumni stand.

Dates for your diary 17 November 2011 Alumni event in Malaysia

28 April 2012 Alumni Sports Day

More ways to keep in touch To keep in touch, and to view more photos of the events on this page, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter www.facebook.com/universityofsouthamptonalumni www.linkedin.com (University of Southampton Alumni) twitter.com/UniSotonAlumni

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

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Get involved Our alumni community contributes greatly to the continued success of the University, particularly through offering internships to current students.

The Excel Southampton Placement Programme was established as a co-funding scheme in 2009 with just five students.

“Thanks to support from Southampton’s alumni community and the University’s Student Centredness Fund, in less than two years, Excel Southampton has grown to provide more than 100 students and employers with placements in 2011,” comments Caroline Konrad who heads up service delivery in our Career Destinations team.

A student internship can have benefits for both your business and Southampton students.

“Our students are highly qualified, intelligent and ambitious to succeed. A core part of our employability strategy is to expand their ‘on-thejob’ experience, while providing employers with a talented individual to work on a particular business need,” says Caroline.

After graduating, Ben Hudson (BSc Geography, 2005) set up a recruitment company called Black Swan Group. Now, Ben has just offered his first internship to a current Southampton student this summer.

“We train students up to understand the full recruitment process and they then become a candidate consultant, dealing on a daily basis with the vetting and screening of potential candidates,” explains Ben. “They provide support to the senior consultants who can spend more time away from the office developing and networking, knowing that their candidate database is continuing to be built via the intern.”

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

Ben has had positive results from the programme so far and is keen to help students develop their understanding of the recruitment field so they can get first-hand experience of what is involved.

“I was President of the Students’ Union in 2003 and I remember the Vice-Chancellor at the time asking me for ways that the University could help students find jobs at the end of their degrees as it is very competitive. I think a lot of graduates don’t know what it is they are looking to do when they graduate.

By performing an internship they get a good understanding of recruitment and can decide if they want to do it in the longer term without accepting a permanent job, only to discover they don’t enjoy it.”

As well as experience of industry, Ben believes internships can give students exposure to financial markets and a good understanding of the financial services industry – as well as the opportunity to build contacts.

Career Destinations at Southampton can recruit students across all programmes and areas of study.

Placements normally run for up to 12.5 weeks during the summer holiday periods (mid-June to end of September) and up to four weeks over the Easter period. PhD student placement projects are available year round. If you are interested in getting involved, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/careers/placements or contact us to discuss your specific needs: Email: placements@southampton.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)23 8059 2824

There are many ways you can support the University. For example, you can get involved with events to share your expertise with students, become an ambassador for the University or even link your business with Southampton through our enterprise activities.

For full details of how you can get involved and contribute to your University’s continued success, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/ alumni/getinvolved

It’s your call.

Autumn Telephone Appeal Taking the time to speak with a current student is a great way to stay connected with your University. Our students love to speak with alumni like you, to get advice about careers and to find out what it’s like to be a Southampton graduate.

Our students are telephoning our alumni this autumn to give you the chance to update your contact details and tell you about the latest University news and events, as well as giving you the opportunity to support the University’s most important priorities that affect today’s students by making a gift. If you receive a call, please take the opportunity to find out how things have changed since you last visited campus, as so many of our alumni have done already, and how you can help future generations share in the Southampton experience just as you once did.

To find out more about our Telephone Appeal and annual giving at Southampton, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/annualgiving or email us at annualgiving@southampton.ac.uk

Class notes Every issue we receive many more class notes than we have space to print, but you can view full updates and photos at www.southampton.ac.uk/graduatenews

1950s Bruce Foster (BSc General Science, 1957) is retired and living in Herefordshire. He worked in the weapons industry for 10 years then spent 32 years in mining equipment. He now enjoys cycling on the rural roads of Hereford.

Julian Dickins (LLB Law, 1980) is a partner in a small firm of solicitors in Hungerford, Berkshire. He is married to Ellie with two sons aged 12 and nine. He is busy with the local Rotary Club and enjoys travelling, skiing and the theatre.

Patrick Whittle (BSc General Science, 1958) is now retired after an academic career, largely training science teachers in Africa, but he also led a Department for International Development team in Nepal. He is involved in local community and church affairs.

Meredith Weber (MA Archaeological Method, 1980) would love to hear from those who remember her. She is currently working in Historical Collections and Labor Archives and Rare Books and Manuscripts at the Pennsylvania State University. She is an avid weaver and knitter.

1960s

1990s

Professor Jamilur Choudhury (MSc Advanced Structural Engineering, 1966; PhD Engineering and Applied Science, 1969) writes: “The University of Manchester conferred the degree of Doctor of Engineering (Honoris Causa) on me on 20 October 2010.”

Frances Booth (BA English, 1992; PGCE, 1993) moved to Australia seven years ago and lives in Sydney, working at a girls’ school as Director of Student Welfare. She writes: “Australian life is pretty good – weather is great (apart from the humidity) and lifestyle is very easy and enjoyable.”

Dr John Haynes (BA English, 1965; MPhil Arts, 1970) has written a book, You. It follows Letter to Patience, which won the Costa Prize three years ago.

1970s Brian Diffey (Certification in Education, 1971) taught physics and mathematics in Northampton, then Portsmouth. He is now retired but still tutors pupils.

Sheila Hodson née Knowles (BSc Mathematics, 1971) is searching for Diane Frost (BSc Mathematics, 1971). If anyone knows Diane’s whereabouts please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Charles Lutyens (Diploma in Advanced Education Studies, 1976) is living in Hambledon but has now downsized to Church Lane. In 1988 he retired from full-time teaching to do supply teaching. In 1993 Charles concentrated on his bed and breakfast and visiting his children in New Zealand, Canada and the USA. His wife died of cancer in 2009.

1980s Vida Cody (BA Spanish, 1984) works in the corporate governance team at English Heritage and travels around England with the Board of Trustees and Commissioners.

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Professor Dr Bhawani Chowdhry (PhD Engineering and Applied Science, 1990) has recently been appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Pakistan.

Eamonn Gearon (BTh Theology, 1992) continues to write about and advise across the greater Middle East, from Casablanca to Kabul.

His book, The Sahara was published in May. Ralph Hall (MEng Civil Engineering,1999) writes: “I published a new book in August: Technology, Globalization, and Sustainable Development.”

Annelies Hartman (MSc Rehabilitation Studies, 1990) has worked as a paediatric physiotherapist since returning to the Netherlands. She has been a researcher with the paediatric oncology unit in the Erasmus University Hospital Rotterdam for the last 10 years. In January 2009 she obtained her PhD and now carries on her research as a postdoctorate.

Annelies would like to hear from anyone who knew her during her time in Southampton – contact her on annelies.hartman@gmail.com Jacqueline Howe (BSc Physics, 1997) writes: “Hi all! Lost touch there for a while. After many trials and tribulations I’ve finally managed to get myself a Master of Astronomy, next

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

stop is a PhD. All the best to all in Physics and Astronomy, hope to see you again one day.”

Capucine Journet née Vayn (BSc Environmental Science, 1999) married Olivier in August 2009. She would love to contact old friends so if you know Capucine, please email her at capucine.journet@gmail.com Alexander Lewis (BSc Politics, 1993) is living in New Zealand and working as a Senior Producer for Sky Sports. He writes: “I am travelling around the world on cricket tours and loving the outdoors back home in the most beautiful country in the world. Good times.”

Nikki Meara née Sargeant (BSc Geology with French, 1999) is now married with two children, working from home as a freelance cartographer.

Mark Pritchard (MSc Electronics, 1991) is married to Libby with two sons aged 13 and 16.

He set up and sold Jamip Ltd, which still keeps him busy while looking for the next start-up. He would like to hear from his year group so please email mpritchard@jamip.co.uk Lee Thacker (BSc Economics and Politics, 1994) writes: “Getting back in touch: Al, Paul, Trev and Bev – are you out there? Thackery Road.”

Steve and Jane Tribe née Gibbs (both BSc Geography, 1989) have recently moved to New Zealand with their children, Anna and Tom, following the abolition of the Audit Commission for which Steve had worked for 14 years. Steve is now working for New Zealand Police. The family is enjoying living in New Zealand but missing family and friends.

2000s Victoria Davis née Lewis (BA English, 2001) is married to Neil Davis (BSc Geology, 2001). Son Matthew James Davis was born in February 2011.

Kimberley Noakes (MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture, 2009) writes: “Since graduating I have completed a diving volunteer project in Mexico. I am now a PADI Instructor and teach diving in both Mexico and Bermuda with my Mexican boyfriend.”

Jane Price (BA Fine Art, 2011) writes: “I have loved every moment at WSA, even the stressful ones! Can I do it all again? Good luck to everyone and keep on making lots of amazing art!”

Marriages The following couples were married recently: Robert Burns (BSc Environmental Science, 1993) and Dr Tamsin Courtenay (BM Medicine, 1995), 25 June 2011.

Louise George née Crouch (MBioSci Biomedical Science, 2001; BMid Midwifery 2005) and Michael George (BSc Chemistry and Physics, 2002; PhD Chemistry, 2009), July 2009.

Dr Karen Page née Buttigieg (BSc Biology, 1998) and Dan Page, May 2010.

Annabel Pino (BA Politics and Spanish and Latin American Studies, 2002) and Andrew Williams (BA Contemporary European Studies, 2002), 25 September 2010.

Nicola Saunders née Hughes (BN Nursing, 2006) married Ben Saunders (BA English, 2006), 16 October 2010

We are sorry to announce the deaths of the following alumni: Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging (Environmental Sciences, 2000) David Hendra (BSc Botany, 1956) Bernard O’Neill (BSc Accounting with Law, 1990) Their obituaries are available at www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni or can be requested from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.

Louise Ervin and Michael Hall

Louise Ervin (LLB Law, 2003) and Michael Hall, 29 January 2011.

Lucinda Lowe née Bennett (BA Spanish, 2002) and Ben Lowe (BSc Geography, 1998), 15 May 2010. Thirty-three Southampton alumni joined in the celebrations including bridesmaid Madeleine Gribbin née Ross (BA Spanish, 2002).

Karen Buttigieg and Dan Page

If you would like to get back in touch with a former friend from Southampton, take advantage of our ‘Find a Friend’ service. Contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations with a message for your friend, and we will send it on to them if we have their current contact details. If they choose, they will then get in touch with you. See www.southampton.ac.uk/alumni for further details and a form under the ‘Services’ section or write to us at: Office of Development and Alumni Relations, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ.

Karen Buttigieg and Dan Page

Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

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Alumni Profile

“I came to Southampton to get a world-class education and I got one.”

In my own words Sir George Buckley (PhD Engineering, 1976), CEO of 3M The head of one the world’s great innovating companies tells Hartley News about his experiences at Southampton and beyond.

Q

Why did you choose Southampton?

I left school at 15 and began working as an apprentice electrician.

I couldn’t understand the simplest of electrical engineering laws and thought that I needed to learn the science behind being an electrician.

Eventually I got onto an undergraduate course at Huddersfield Polytechnic. I got the highest score on my final year project and was told I was a natural researcher but when I started my PhD, Huddersfield couldn’t offer me the academic support I needed. My supervisor gave me a stack of papers, in which the name Ken Binns came up again and again. I contacted him and he invited me down to Southampton and offered to take me on.

Q

Where did you live?

I was married with children by this time. We couldn’t move down south where houses were more expensive so I commuted between Huddersfield and Southampton. It turned out to be a marvellous arrangement for me as I could still receive the first-class academic guidance that Southampton offered.

Q

Did any members of staff make a particular impression on you?

Q

What were the highlights of your time at Southampton?

I am eternally grateful for the way Ken Binns and his colleague, John Smith, took me under their wings. They were a real credit to the University and I received a lot of encouragement from them.

I came to Southampton to get a world-class education and I got one. I was like a sponge! The joy of learning was the highlight for me.

Q

Any low points, regrets or embarrassing moments?

My PhD oral examination terrified me utterly. Ken told me he’d get me ‘a great examiner’. I thought this meant someone who would pass me, but Ken’s definition was different! I was in the interview from 9am until 4pm and later found out that this examiner failed half of all the students he interviewed.

The other moment was when the only copy of my thesis – three and a half years’ work – got lost in the post. Thankfully it turned up two weeks later.

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Hartley News | Autumn 2011 | University of Southampton

Q

Is there anything that you have found out about the University recently that has surprised you?

I have always had a wonderfully positive impression of the University.

Its continued development is very encouraging – as time goes on you realise how good a university it really is. It’s world-renowned these days in a number of different areas and it’s great to have benefited from such a high quality of education.

Q

What motivates you?

Q

What are you most proud of?

Winning! The application of effort, creativity and imagination to a business or scientific problem – and overcoming that problem – is a tremendous feeling.

People might look upon my becoming CEO of 3M as a moment of immense pride, but I’m cautious about the word ‘pride’. So, to the extent that you can in a job like mine, it’s important to maintain modesty.

My proudest moment happened much earlier in my career. My boss had a heart attack and my company wanted to promote me into his job. I declined and it turned out that this was the right thing to do – in the end they promoted both of us. I was proud that I’d had the moral fortitude to choose the proper course.

Q

Do you have any tips for new graduates?

1. You’ll never get anywhere significant without hard work – it’s the most sought after ingredient by a company.

2. As long as it’s legal, moral and ethical, do what your company asks you to do.

3. Always look for a way to do more than you’ve been asked. If your boss asks you to deliver item A in time T, deliver item A+ in time T-.

4. Never do anything that could compromise the value system of you or your family.

5. Regardless of what you’re faced with in life, always try to find a solution with grace and dignity.

Q

Sum up your Southampton experience in five words.

The crossroads of my life.

The Atlantides are statues in the image of Atlas. Originally from the Hartley Institution’s High Street façade, they are now positioned outside the Hartley Library on the Highfield Campus

Make a lasting difference.

Leave a legacy By leaving a legacy to the University, you can help us change the world for the better through our research and offer lifechanging opportunities to our students.

If you feel you could help make that difference, and would like to discuss leaving a gift in your Will, please contact Ellie Shaw, Office of Development and Alumni Relations, on +44(0)23 8059 9079 or email supportus@southampton.ac.uk

Throughout our history, legacy gifts have helped support and inspire our excellence in research and education, making the University of Southampton Thank you. the world-leading institution it is today.

www.southampton.ac.uk/hartleynews alumni@southampton.ac.uk +44(0)23 8059 2747