Student of the Year

Anne Abimbola Adetonwa is a Nigerian from Oyo State with a Master of Business Administration (Distinction) and the award for best dissertation from Bangor University, where she also earned a Master of Law degree. She holds a Bachelor of Law from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice.

Anne has worked in various roles throughout her career; as a Lawyer, Program Officer, Academic Tutor, and Human Resource Training Manager. She believes in embodying the positive change she wishes to see in the world, striving to promote kindness, equality, and compassion through her work and actions.

Dylan Davies pursued a Master’s degree in Finance and Management at Bangor University in 2022, where the exceptional faculty and academic environment significantly advanced his career. He is currently applying the skills acquired at Bangor in his role within procurement and contracts at ENGIE.

Stephen Knott has dedicated over two decades to advancing social good in the charity and higher education sectors. He has led innovative programs that have significantly raised funds for diverse causes such as cancer research, autism, education, and social mobility.

Motivated by a strong sense of social purpose, Stephen pursued a Senior Leader Apprenticeship and earned CMI accreditation to enhance his leadership skills and impact. His growth through the program led to the publication of a groundbreaking academic paper and the co-development of a course focused on environmental sustainability in the third sector.

Lauren Pope grew up in the East Midlands and is a First Class International Business BA (Hons) graduate from Nottingham Trent University. During her four-year degree, including an international placement year with Metric Search, she was named 'Rookie of the Year.'

Lauren has extensive experience in both voluntary and paid roles, with a strong commitment to ethics, sustainability, and international cooperation. Her placement at Metric Search aligned with her values, including their focus on DEI and environmental sustainability.

In January 2025, Lauren will rejoin Metric Search as a Business Development Manager specialising in FemTech, a role she pioneered during her placement and the first of its kind globally. She is passionate about advancing women's health and technological innovations in the field.

My name is Christian Nunn, and I am a Senior Program Manager and EU Lead in the Community Operations organization for Amazon. I am also a Senior Leadership Apprentice, currently pursuing an MSc degree. Over the past 10 years, I have held various management roles at Amazon, steadily ascending the ranks and honing my skills in areas such as operations, change management, and community engagement. This includes becoming a General Manager of an Amazon facility and transitioning to a Program Manager role focused on minimizing our operational impact on local communities. My decision to pursue the MSc program was a pivotal moment, allowing me to validate my wealth of experience and position myself for future growth. This step was inspired by the achievements of my own children, who are currently pursuing higher education, and a desire to set a positive example for them. Throughout my career, I have faced challenges, but have leveraged these experiences to become a champion for inclusivity, advocating for the needs of diverse communities. This includes serving as a school governor and supporting the Thrive initiative, which aims to address educational and social challenges. As an Amazon senior leader, the company's core principles are deeply ingrained in my approach. I strive to "earn trust" through consistent actions and transparent communication, while maintaining a "bias for action" to identify and implement solutions that keep the customer at the forefront. Underpinning my work are personal values of resilience, determination, and a steadfast commitment to continuous learning and development. This mindset has enabled me to not only advance my own career but also positively impact the lives of those around me. When I'm not focused on my professional and academic pursuits, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, including my wife and children, as well as our dog "Warwick". These personal relationships serve as a reminder of the importance of work-life balance.