Luke Fribbens - Founder and CEO of Cold Banana

From BU Graduate to Digital Leader: How Luke Fribbens Built an Award Nominated Agency

Bournemouth University graduate Luke Fribbens (BSc (Hons) Software Systems Framework) is celebrating a major milestone as his digital agency, Cold Banana, has been named a finalist at the National Digital Awards 2026 in the Best Agency Team (Small) category. Founded in 2015, the Bournemouth‑based company has grown from Luke’s post‑university ambition into an international agency delivering… Read more » about From BU Graduate to Digital Leader: How Luke Fribbens Built an Award Nominated Agency

Charity Omoduemuke

Shaping Change Through Lived Experience: Charity’s Path Beyond BU

From the moment Charity Omoduemuke discovered Bournemouth University (BU), she felt drawn to its reputation for practical, career‑focused learning and its supportive, inclusive student community. For her, university was never just about gaining academic knowledge—it was about building confidence, developing real‑world skills, and finding a place that would help her grow personally and professionally. BU… Read more » about Shaping Change Through Lived Experience: Charity’s Path Beyond BU

Blue Skies Lifestyle

Blue Skies Lifestyle: a Bournemouth University Success Story

Bournemouth-based luxury travel agency Blue Skies Lifestyle has strong roots in Bournemouth University, with a third of its current team made up of BU graduates across a range of disciplines. Founded in 2005 by Bournemouth University alumni Andy and Fran Castle, Blue Skies Lifestyle is a family-run business specialising in high-end luxury ski chalet and… Read more » about Blue Skies Lifestyle: a Bournemouth University Success Story

Claudia Gowland

Rising strong: How resilience led BU graduate to the world stage

Claudia Gowland’s journey to representing Great Britain at the 2026 IPF World Bench Press Championships is a powerful example of resilience, determination, and personal growth. Her path into elite sport began at age 15, when she first started training with a focus on cardio. Over time, her interests shifted toward strength work, eventually guiding her… Read more » about Rising strong: How resilience led BU graduate to the world stage

Dr Connie Wilson

Pioneering Progress: The Inspiring Journey of Dr Connie Wilson

For Dr Connie Wilson, embarking on a Doctorate in Business Administration at Bournemouth University marked the beginning of a transformative journey—one that would blend academic curiosity, technological innovation and a passion for creating change in the engineering world. As part of the first doctoral cohort at BU, Connie was drawn to a programme that offered… Read more » about Pioneering Progress: The Inspiring Journey of Dr Connie Wilson

Laura Songhurst

From Childhood Holidays to a Forensic Career: Laura Songhurst’s Path to Purpose

Laura Songhurst’s journey to Bournemouth University began long before she enrolled as a mature student. Having spent her childhood visiting Dorset, she had always felt a strong connection to the area. This familiarity became a key factor in her decision to study at BU, offering both comfort and confidence as she embarked on the next… Read more » about From Childhood Holidays to a Forensic Career: Laura Songhurst’s Path to Purpose

Animation skills led to a career in film and gaming

Jie credits his time at BU with helping to focus his career aspirations on becoming a character artist. Having impressed the team at Motion Picture Company (MPC) with his graduate showreel, he secured a role as a technical animator with the company – specialising in fur and cloth – and went on to contribute to films including… Read more » about Animation skills led to a career in film and gaming

Meet the BU graduates behind this year’s Oscar-nominated films

Meet the BU graduates behind this year’s Oscar-nominated films  

Bournemouth University graduates are behind some of the biggest films in the running for this year’s Academy Awards.    Graduates from the National Centre for Computer Animation and Media School have contributed to all five films nominated in the Best Visual Effects category and at least four of the titles nominated in the Best Picture category, including Hamnet,… Read more » about Meet the BU graduates behind this year’s Oscar-nominated films  

Mark Roberts

Graduate Story: Mark Roberts – BSc (Hons) Information Systems Management, 1993

A journey through BU’s transformation Mark Roberts began his studies when the institution was still the Dorset Institute, experiencing its transition to Bournemouth Polytechnic and finally Bournemouth University. Drawn by BU’s strong reputation for industry‑aligned education, he chose Information Systems Management for its blend of technology and leadership—equipping him for the increasing importance of technology… Read more » about Graduate Story: Mark Roberts – BSc (Hons) Information Systems Management, 1993

Kate Williams - A return to nursing

Rediscovering her Calling: Kate Williams’ journey back to nursing

Kate Williams completed her undergraduate degree in nursing from BU in 2008. Kate worked within health promotion before taking on a commissioning role. She returned to BU in 2022 to complete her return to nursing practice. “During my career, I’ve seen many sides to the health and care system, gained a Master’s in commissioning, and… Read more » about Rediscovering her Calling: Kate Williams’ journey back to nursing

Blue Box Founders - November 2025

BAFTA Special Award for animation studio founded by BU graduates

An animation studio founded by three BU graduates is to receive a BAFTA Special Award in recognition of its social and cultural impact. The award for Blue Zoo Animation Studio recognises its 25-year legacy since being founded by classmates from BU’s National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) – Tom Box, Adam Shaw and Oli Hyatt,… Read more » about BAFTA Special Award for animation studio founded by BU graduates

Andac Akpulat

From BU to AI Innovation: Graduate Andac Akpulat on Technology, Healthcare, and Finding Purpose

BU alumnus Andac Akpulat, who completed his MSc in Digital Health & Artificial Intelligence in 2023, is already establishing himself as an emerging voice in the rapidly evolving world of medical AI. His journey began with a lifelong passion for technology and human wellbeing—an interest that grew during his undergraduate studies in Electrical and Electronics… Read more » about From BU to AI Innovation: Graduate Andac Akpulat on Technology, Healthcare, and Finding Purpose