2021 winners

The Future CFO of the Year Award, partnered by CIMA

Alan Potts

Alan Potts, Manchester Metropolitan University, Accounting & Finance

After leaving college, Alan gained experience in a few different jobs while also studying with the Association of Accounting Technicians in his own time. Upon completing his AAT qualification, he enrolled on an accounting and finance degree at Manchester Metropolitan University to continue towards his ambition of becoming a chartered accountant. In his spare time, Alan enjoys playing football, lifting weights and training in Muay Thai.

Finalists:

The LGBT+ Undergraduate of the Year Award, partnered by Clifford Chance, National Student Pride, Attitude and myGwork

The LGBTQ+ Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Clifford Chance, National Student Pride, Attitude and myGwork

George Barker

George Barker, University College London, Medicine

After moving to London from Merseyside, George studied medicine at University College London. Between ward rounds, clinics and volunteering in intensive care during the Covid-19 pandemic, George volunteered for Sexpression:UK, a charity delivering comprehensive and LGBT+ inclusive relationships and sex education in secondary schools. He served as national director, with highlights including BBC interviews, speaking at the House of Lords and lobbying the Department for Education to improve the curriculum. George’s clinical interests are pre-hospital emergency medicine, sexual health and space medicine, having attended courses at the European Space Agency. When not working, he performs in a medical sketch group: The MDs Comedy Revue.

Finalists:

The Young Activist of the Year Award, partnered by Clifford Chance and One Young World

Curtis Parfitt-Ford

Curtis Parfitt-Ford, University of Southampton, Computer Science

Curtis is a software developer and activist and is currently studying computer science at the University of Southampton. Last year, he launched a legal challenge against the government’s A level grading algorithm, which based individuals’ grades on their school’s history rather than their own achievements. Seeing that the system would be greatly unfair, he teamed up with Foxglove, a non-profit specialising in algorithmic justice, to make things right. Curtis’ legal challenge led to the government’s U-turn, granting students’ individual centre-assessed grades. Curtis also runs a company called Loudspeek, which enables progressive political campaigns to put supporters in touch with their representatives.

Finalists:

The Management Undergraduate of the Year Award, partnered by Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Theodor Sergiou

Theodor Sergiou, University of Oxford Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Theodor is studying philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford. Speaking out and getting his voice heard has always been a necessity for him and he uses these skills to represent people whose voices are seldom heard on a national scale. He is the youngest person in British history to contribute to a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. Theodor has travelled across the world, undeterred by his visual impairment, to build a school in Ecuador and teach English in India – and he has successfully started youth forums in between hospital admissions.

Finalists:

The First Generation Undergraduate of the Year Award, partnered by HSBC

Kathryn Moore

Kathryn Moore, University of Nottingham, Russian and History

Kathryn is a first-generation student at the University of Nottingham. She studies Russian and history and is currently on her year abroad. Kathryn is involved in a range of societies, such as the East Midlands Universities Air Squadron, and she is working at a local GP practice and mass vaccination site to aid with the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Finalists:

The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Sustainable Thinking, partnered by L’Oréal

Vanessa Lee

Vanessa Lee, University of Edinburgh, Law

Vanessa is a penultimate-year law student at the University of Edinburgh, where she is currently president of the consulting club and Lawyers Without Borders society. She is also the co-chairperson of the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show. After volunteering in Western China and Kenya, she founded Prospects Foundation, where she aims to advocate for access to education for underprivileged Kenyan students. So far, the organisation has helped over 200 students. Vanessa has also completed internships within the legal, consultancy and investment banking sectors. Outside of her studies, she is passionate about entrepreneurship and has been accepted onto various accelerators to develop her business.

Finalists:

The Black Heritage Undergraduate of the Year Award, partnered by Police Now

Lara Vincent-Young

Lara Vincent-Young, University of Exeter, Business and Management

Lara is a final-year business and management student at the University of Exeter. Throughout her undergraduate career, she has immersed herself in university life by taking on roles of responsibility, including academic representative and student ambassador, in which she has been able to provide representation for the BAME community. In her third year, Lara completed a 14-month marketing placement at Johnson and Johnson. This year, Lara has enjoyed working in the business school’s careers team as an employability ambassador and she is an active member of the cheerleading and gymnastics club, for which she has served as the uniform and branding officer.

Finalists:

The Undergraduate of the Year Award for Excellence Through Adversity, partnered by Rolls-Royce

Ellie Lilliott

Ellie Lilliott, De Montfort University, Mechanical Engineering

Ellie is in her first year of a mechanical engineering degree at De Montfort University. As an air cadet she graduated from the Qualified Aerospace Instructors’ Course and used this to teach younger cadets. She also volunteers with her local Scout troop and has represented the UK at the World Scout Jamboree in Japan. Sport is a huge passion for Ellie and she is involved in rowing, rugby and boxing. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and spending time in nature. Looking to the future, Ellie hopes to improve inclusivity of autistic individuals and young people who struggle with their mental health.

Finalists:

The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award, partnered by Rolls-Royce

Phoebe Rylatt

Phoebe Rylatt, University of Nottingham, Mechanical Engineering

Phoebe is in her third year of studying mechanical engineering with an integrated masters at the University of Nottingham. She is a STEM ambassador and peer mentor at the university, as well as a maths tutor for the charity Action Tutoring, volunteering at primary and GCSE level with the aim of closing the attainment gap in students. Last summer she undertook an internship with HS2 and delivered food parcels for those who were shielding in lockdown. Phoebe also enjoys paddle boarding, skiing and clay pigeon shooting.

Finalists: