Alumni Inspire the Next Generation

September 24th 2026

As part of Alleyn's celebration of 50 years of co-education, this year's Festival of Inspiration brought together students, staff, alumni and industry professionals for a day of discovery, creativity and connection. Through inspiring talks, networking opportunities and hands-on experiences, the event encouraged pupils to explore future pathways and learn from those making an impact across a wide range of fields.

A standout feature of the day was the programme of 24 immersive, interactive workshops. Led by professionals working at the forefront of industries including the creative sector, enterprise, sustainability, technology, social impact and wellbeing, these sessions brought careers and real-world challenges vividly to life. Students gained valuable insights into the opportunities available to them while developing practical skills and a greater understanding of the world beyond the classroom.

We were delighted to welcome several alumni back to Alleyn's to lead workshops and support the event through a Quad Fair, where they could share their expertise with current students.

Biz Brierley (Cribb's 2019), Marketing Manager at Blank Street, led an engaging workshop, How to Build a Brand That Sticks, using the creation of Blank Street's innovative "Sleeve" campaign as a real-world case study. After sharing how the campaign helped strengthen the brand's identity and cultural relevance, Biz challenged students to work in teams on an imagined brand brief, developing their own marketing campaigns before presenting their ideas and debating the key ingredients of a memorable brand. Biz also spent time at the Quad Fair, speaking with pupils about careers in marketing and business.

Julia Elkouby (Tyson's 2015), Senior Data Assurance Manager at Green Project Technologies, challenged students to step into the role of a Head of Net Zero for the day. Working in teams, pupils were tasked with cutting a company's carbon emissions within a fixed budget, balancing financial, operational and environmental priorities. Along the way, unexpected developments forced them to rethink their strategies and defend their decisions, offering a fascinating insight into the real-world complexities of sustainability leadership and business decision-making.

At the Quad Fair, students also had the opportunity to meet Natalie Falshaw (Spurgeon's 2017), co-founder of NutriGirls, who spoke about entrepreneurship, building a business and creating impact through health and nutrition.

Holly Sleep (Roper's 2017), Associate at Sheridans Solicitors LLP, returned to support both the Quad Fair and an interactive workshop alongside Neisha Glynternick, Partner at Sheridans. Together, they explored legal case studies from the worlds of gaming, music and sport, discussing how employment-related legal challenges can arise and be successfully managed.

We are incredibly grateful to all our alumni volunteers for giving back their time and expertise, helping to inspire the next generation!

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