Strathclyde graduate Ashley Duncan (22) attended the British Graduate 100 Awards dinner after making it through as one of the final four in her category, the Business & Economics Graduate of the Year Award.Strathclyde graduate Ashley Duncan (22) attended the British Graduate 100 Awards dinner after making it through as one of the final four in her category, the Business & Economics Graduate of the Year Award.
Over 13,000 graduates and 70 universities nationwide entered this year's Graduate 100 initiative, the highlight of which is the British Graduate 100 Awards and the launch of the Graduate 100 publication.
The British Graduate 100 Awards and Gala Dinner took place on September 15 at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square, with guests from industry and heads of graduate recruitment from leading UK companies mixing with the shortlisted students.
James Caan from the BBC's Dragons Den was the keynote speaker in front of an audience of more than 500 guests, with many of the leading graduate employers, industry figures and national media in attendance, with the media partner this year being the Financial Times.
Ashley, who graduated in July with a first class joint honours degree in hospitality and marketing, was nominated for the award by Dr Kevin O'Gorman and Matthew Alexander. She said, "I am absolutely delighted firstly to have been nominated for such a prestigious award and secondly to have reached the final stages. I would like to thank Matthew Alexander and Dr O'Gorman for the nomination, and the staff at the business school for their professionalism and academic support during my time at Strathclyde Business School.
"James Caan gave a motivational speech, and a great night was had by all."
As a shortlisted graduate, Ashley will be profiled within the Graduate 100 publication, which will be circulated to leading companies and institutions. A spokesman for Graduate 100 said, "This is a fantastic result which reflects on the quality and calibre of teaching, and promotes the university in a very positive light."
Professor Sharon Bolton, head of the Department of Management said, "This is a huge achievement and we're all very proud of Ashley. Special thanks go to Matthew Alexander who nominated Ashley."