GCU London graduates celebrate success

This week, GCU London celebrated as hundreds of students marked the successful culmination of their studies in five graduation ceremonies on November 6 and 7 at Christ Church, Spitalfields.

These ceremonies showcased the academic achievements of more than 700 postgraduate students, representing a diverse range of disciplines, from international banking, finance, and risk management to fashion, lifestyle marketing, quantity surveying, and environmental management.

Monday's ceremonies featured inspiring guest speakers, Professor Jane Shepherdson CBE and Peter McGettrick. Jane, an honorary graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University, is widely recognised as a significant influence on the British high street. Her extensive background includes roles at Topshop, Peopletree, Whistles, and Creative Advisor to Oxfam. Currently serving as the Chair of My Wardrobe HQ, a luxury fashion platform, and as the Director of the London Fashion Fund, Jane addressed the graduates with a profound message.

She stressed the urgent need for fundamental change within the fashion industry due to its detrimental impact on the planet.

She said: “Our task is now more complex, as well as creating compelling collections, we must find ways of doing that more responsibly, of changing people’s behaviour to a more sustainable way of consuming fashion. All of you here today will play a part in the future of the industry, you will shape it and change it, and leave it in a much better place.”

Peter McGettrick, an esteemed Glasgow Caledonian alumnus, is a Partner, Board Member, and Managing Director of Advisory at construction consultant Turner & Townsend. His leadership extends to more than 700 professionals engaged in contract services, consulting, operational excellence, health, safety, and quality across the globe.

He said: “You have all overcome adversity, pushed boundaries and showed resilience to achieve success and that is certainly worth celebrating. The challenges ahead will be different, but your sense of responsibility should remain and, if anything, it should grow.”

On Tuesday, the graduates received inspiration from speeches by Dr Obinna Anuruegbe and Clive Martin. Dr Anuruegbe, a paediatrician, researcher, entrepreneur, and GCU London alumnus, commended the graduates for their resilience and determination. He acknowledged the rollercoaster of assessments and deadlines they had experienced and how these challenges had prepared them to thrive in the real world, where deadlines and obstacles are constant.

He said: “You have learned to manage your time, to prioritise, and to adapt. These experiences, while demanding, have honed your abilities to thrive in the real world, where deadlines and challenges are constants. Your resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit have brought you to this moment, and I am immensely proud of every one of you.”

Clive Martin, the first Head of the Government Risk Profession, based in the Treasury, provided professional leadership to 900 specialists. An alumnus of Glasgow Caledonian University, Clive's career at Ernst & Young spanned 17 years, during which he became a full equity partner and led the development of client-facing risk-management practices. He underscored the role of fate and personal agency in shaping one's journey.

He said: “We are all players in this great big crazy, complex, difficult, challenging and beautiful world we live in. Twists of fate, chance, luck all play their part in the path that each of us takes. But the future is still in our hands.”