Each year, the University recognises alumni who have made remarkable contributions to society through the Alumni Awards. From a Five Nations Grand Slam rugby champion to an entrepreneur tracing cryptocurrency crime, this year’s winners are all inspirational leaders in their field.   

The winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement award is Sir Gregory Doran (BA 1980, Hon DLitt 2011), the Artistic Director Emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company and author of My Shakespeare: A Director’s Journey through the First Folio.

Speaking about his award, Sir Gregory said: ‘It’s nice to have someone come along and say you've achieved something worthwhile in your life. I had never contemplated my achievements as something that could be attached to the word lifetime.’ 

Also recognised in this year’s awards is Dr Paula Kahumbu (BSc 1988), winner of the Global Citizenship Award. Dr Kahumbu is a conservationist, filmmaker, educator and CEO of Kenya-based organisation WildlifeDirect. She has worked to transform conservation literacy in Africa through wildlife documentaries and lead hugely successful campaigns to end the trade in elephant ivory in Kenya and the strengthening of laws surrounding wildlife crimes.

Dr Kahumbu said: ‘This award recognises that I’m not just a Kenyan doing something in Kenya, but I’m a global citizen doing something that’s significant internationally. There are very few people who look like me who have the privilege of saying that they are international leaders or voices for something as important as wildlife conservation. I love what I do, and it means a lot to be recognised in this way.’  

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Evelyn Welch, said of the winners: ‘We are honoured to recognise the extraordinary contributions of these outstanding Bristol alumni. This year’s award winners have led fascinating careers, serving as wonderful examples for today’s students. We are extremely proud to count this group of visionary leaders as Bristol alumni.’

2024 Alumni Award winners 

Sir Gregory Doran (BA 1980, Hon DLitt 2011), Lifetime Achievement Award

Director and Shakespearean Sir Gregory Doran is Artistic Director Emeritus of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He joined the iconic theatre in 1987, serving as Artistic Director from 2012 to 2022. He is the author of My Shakespeare: A Director’s Journey through the First Folio and has documented his adventures on a new podcast, The Folio Roadshow, available now.

Siyan Ruan (MSc 2014), Alumni Association Award

Siyan Ruan graduated with a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering in 2014. Since graduating and returning to her home city of Beijing, Siyan has volunteered with the Beijing Alumni Network and helps promote local and international events, recruits local volunteers and manages the WeChat channels that help keep the alumni community connected.

Sherrie Eugene-Hart (Cert 1990), Arts and Media Award

Sherrie Eugene-Hart is an award-winning broadcaster, presenter and Sign Language interpreter. She leads ethical media organisation E-Com Media in addition to broadcasting on Bcfm Radio and Sign Language interpreting for live theatre shows. In 2018 Sherrie received the Sir Ambrose Fleming Award from the Royal Television Society (RTS) for Outstanding Television Achievement.

Justin Basini (BSc 1995), Business and Industry Award

Justin Basini is CEO and Co-Founder of ClearScore, the number one free credit score and financial product marketplace in the UK, South Africa and Australia. A passionate business leader and award-winning entrepreneur, Justin is also Chair of The Money Charity and a Trustee of the Chapel Royal.

Kimberly Prado (BSc 2020), Community Impact Award

Kimberly Prado is an anti-racism consultant, modern slavery awareness trainer, and Director of Houria, a catering organization and café based in Easton Community Centre. An experienced chef and restaurant manager, Kim is also an advocate for refugees and asylum seekers, providing safe employment and training to migrant women through Houria.

Jonathan Webb (MB ChB 1987), Contribution to Sport Award

Jonathan Webb is a specialist knee surgeon and former England rugby union fullback. Jonathan played for the England team from 1987 to 1993, reaching the World Cup final in 1991 and winning two Five Nations Grand Slam titles. In 2009, he co-founded the Fortius Clinic which offers world-class orthopaedics and sports medicine.

Dr Paula Kahumbu (BSc 1988), Global Citizenship Award

Conservationist, filmmaker and educator Dr Paula Kahumbu is CEO of Kenya-based organisation WildlifeDirect. She has led hugely successful campaigns for specific issues in Africa, including stopping the Kenyan elephant ivory trade. Paula’s work on transforming conservation literacy in Africa through wildlife documentaries and expeditions for children has earned her many accolades.

Jonathan Levin (BSc 2012), Innovation and Enterprise Award

Jonathan Levin is Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Chainalysis, a platform which traces cryptocurrency and provides data to governments, law enforcement, businesses and more in over 70 countries. His technology has been used to solve some of the world’s most high-profile criminal cases and safely grow consumer access to cryptocurrency.