After Aston I...

It’s the final episode of series 2 of the podcast! Geoff and Aimee are joined by Aston alumnus and global marketing leader, Kevin Alderson. We delve into the essence of performance marketing, explore the balance between data and intuition, and discuss the shift from corporate roles to running a consultancy. Kevin also shares valuable insights on building high-performing teams, the importance of co...

Aimee and Geoff kick off the New Year on the After Aston I… podcast with Dylan Carroll, Aston alumnus and Head of Partnerships at the Outward Bound Trust. Dylan reflects on his journey from Aston graduate to charity leader, and shares how the Outward Bound Trust helps young people build confidence, resilience and self-belief through life-changing outdoor adventures. The episode explores the power...

Geoff and Aimee are joined by alumnus Stephen Billingham, who discusses his journey through various leadership roles, including being an executive at multiple high-profile organizations and a chair in both corporate and charitable boards. He talks candidly about the good and the bad of corporate boards, including what makes a good one, and why sometimes personality clashes are inevitable. Stephen...

In this episode of 'After Aston I...' hosts Aimee Postle and Geoff Savage sit down with Dr. Krystle Burnett-Dunkley, a triple alumna who has carved an impressive path in the tech industry. Krystle discusses her journey from Birmingham to New York, her work at Hewlett Packard in leading strategic marketing campaigns, and her PhD research on sustainable leadership in the US tech industry. She delves...

In this episode of the After Aston I... podcast, hosted by Aimee and Geoff, the spotlight is on Arese Ugwu, an Aston University alumna and renowned financial educator, author, and filmmaker. Arese shares her journey from studying Business Management at Aston to becoming a key figure empowering African millennial women with smart financial decisions. She talks about her struggles with personal fina...

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff are joined by Rupinder Kaur , founder of Asian Women Mean Business. Rupinder shares her inspiring journey from navigating the corporate world as a South Asian woman to leading a platform that empowers South Asian women to overcome self-doubt and step into leadership roles. She discusses the cultural challenges faced by South Asian women i...

In this episode of After Aston I…, co-hosts Aimee and Geoff sit down with Daniel Franklin, an Aston alumnus and the executive editor of The Economist . The conversation spans Daniel's illustrious 41-year career, during which he covered significant global events such as the collapse of communism, the global economic crisis, and recent US elections. Daniel discusses the evolution of The Economist in...

In this episode of After Aston I…, Aimee and guest co-host Abby welcome Harley Cunningham, Senior Strategy and Performance Manager at Virgin Media O2. The episode delves into Harley’s personal journey of transforming workplace bereavement support following the heartbreaking loss of her son, James. Harley shares the development and implementation of an innovative bereavement strategy, including 'Hu...

In this episode of After Aston I.., hosts Aimee and Geoff welcome Lorraine Copes, a successful entrepreneur and advocate for racial equity in the hospitality sector. Lorraine shares her journey from graduating from Aston University in 2001 with a BSc in Logistics to building a two-decade-long career in hospitality, working with renowned companies like TGI Fridays, Shake Shack, and Gordon Ramsay Re...

Geoff and Aimee kick off series 2 with a conversation with Aston graduate and Olympic boxer, Delicious Orie, also known as DJ. DJ transitioned into the world of boxing at 18 and since then has represented Team GB in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, won Gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Gold at the European Championships, and more. In this episode, DJ shares the inspiration behind his switch...

Geoff introduces Aimee as the new co-host of the After Aston I… podcast! The two tell us what to expect from the upcoming series, due to land on the airwaves very soon!   Series 2 will bring you more candid conversations with Aston University alumni – some of the UK’s most employable graduates – as we hear the remarkable stories of where their careers have taken them.  If you’ve not yet subscribed...

In this season finale of the After Aston I… podcast, hosts Katrina and Geoff are joined by Rachel Krol, a Project Engineering Manager at Mondelēz International. Rachel, an Aston University alumna with a degree in mechanical engineering, shares insights about her exciting role with the snack giant. She discusses her involvement in various projects, including the production of well-loved snacks like...

In this episode of the After Aston I... podcast, co-hosts Abby, who is filling in for Katrina, and Geoff, engage in a captivating conversation with Aston alumnus James Henderson. Graduating from Aston University in 1990 with a degree in Management and Administrative Studies, James has built an illustrious career in the luxury goods industry, including prestigious roles in Formula One yachts and pr...

In this episode, Katrina and Geoff speak to Sue Noffke, an Aston University alumna who has built a successful career in the finance sector. Graduating in 1989 with a degree in business and biochemistry, Sue gained early experience in investment during her placement year at Schroders, a global asset management company. She returned to Schroders post-graduation and has risen to head its UK equities...

In this episode of the After Aston I… podcast, guest host Abby steps in for Katrina to join Geoff and discuss leadership and personal growth with Paul Matthews, an Aston alumnus and leadership coach based in Australia. Paul shares his journey from working in corporate roles across various sectors in the UK and Australia to establishing his own leadership coaching practice. He emphasises the import...

In this episode of the ‘After Aston I…’ podcast, Katrina and Geoff interview Grace Smith, an Aston University alumna with an exciting career in the media industry. With a background in public policy and social studies, Grace initially ventured into roles unrelated to her current profession, including working as a corporate tax inspector. However, following a lockdown project, an unexpected opportu...

In this episode of ‘After Aston I…’, Katrina and Geoff chat to Gabriella Bossman, a 2015 Politics and International Relations graduate who’s moved her career to Norway. They chat about Gabriella’s experience working and running a business in a different culture, her observations about the importance of language, the approach to work-life balance in Norway, the differences in business ecosystems, c...

In this episode of the After Aston I... podcast, hosts Katrina and Geoff welcome Simba Rwambiwa, the co-founder and managing director of Palm Love Care Services. Simba shares how his personal experience of looking after his late mother inspired him to start his own healthcare company focused on providing in-home care. He explains the positive impact of in-home care on the quality of life for patie...

In this episode, Katrina and Geoff delve into the music industry with Sunjay Kohli, an Aston alumnus who has worked with major companies such as Ticketmaster International, Warner Music Group, and BMG.    Sunjay shares valuable insights into the music industry and advises those aspiring to work at a record label. He discusses how he navigated the corporate and 'glitzy' sides of the business, worki...

In this episode, Katrina and Geoff sit down with Aston alumna Grace Ubawuchi, Founder and CEO of the innovative frozen cocktail brand Xīn and Voltaire.   Grace takes us through her journey from being a Business and International Relations student at Aston University to becoming a trailblazer in the drinks industry.    Throughout the conversation, Grace emphasizes the importance of problem-solving...

In this episode, Katrina and Geoff speak with Christine Kelly, an Aston University alumna and the founder of 'Little Kickers', the world’s biggest and most successful pre-school football academy and an international franchise program. Christine talks about her journey from graduating with a degree in International Business and Modern Languages to her career in finance, why she decided to start 'Li...