University News Last updated 02 March
We’re delighted to boast an incredible alumni community, including many inspirational women excelling in their chosen industries.
This International Women's Day, we’re looking back at some of the great successes from our talented graduates in the past year.
Olivia Mae Hanlon
Olivia, who graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminology in 2019, was named our Alumna of the Year in our Winter Graduation Ceremonies. The Founder and CEO of Girls in Marketing, Olivia was recognised by Forbes in their 2024 ‘30 Under 30’ list in their Media and Marketing category, becoming the first person from Liverpool to be named in this prestigious list.
Nicola Coughlan
Acting alumna Nicola Coughlan has had a remarkable year. Having led Series 3 of Netflix smash hit ‘Bridgerton’ last year as Penelope Featherington, she has recently returned to the role for Series 4, alongside filming series 2 of Channel 4’s ‘Big Mood’ and starring in the National Theatre’s ‘The Playboy of the Western World’. This year, she will also star in the children’s film ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ and animated film ‘Goat’.
Camilla Whitehill
Camilla graduated from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with an Acting degree in 2012, and has since written and created several plays, has written for the comedy series ‘Porters’ and worked with fellow alumna Nicola Coughlan on the comedy podcast ‘Whistle Through the Shamrocks’.
This year, the comedy series ‘Big Mood’ which she has written and created for Channel 4, will be returning for series 2. Starring Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West, series 1 was most-watched new comedy launch since Derry Girls, also starring Nicola Coughlan.
Dr Eileen Schofield
Dr Schofield, who graduated from the University of Central England (UCE, now BCU) in 1996 with a LLB (Hons) Law, is the Chair of Birmingham Law Society and Owner and Principal of Schofield & Associates. She was honoured with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the wider Birmingham community in our Summer Graduation Ceremonies last year.
Marverine Cole
Marverine, who graduated from BCU with a PgDip in Broadcast Journalism in 2003 and again in 2018 with a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, is an award-winning journalist and Birmingham broadcasting icon. She was awarded an honorary doctorate in our Winter Graduation Ceremonies, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to journalism, education and media diversity.
Arti Shah
Arti, who graduated with a BA (Hons) Business Studies for Property in 1999, is an actress and motivational speaker who has brought numerous characters to life across the Star Wars and Wizarding World film franchises, with a career spanning almost twenty years as a creature performer in TV and film. She is currently bringing Paddington bear to life as the on-stage performer in Paddington: The Musical, playing in London’s West End.
Victoria Eggs
Victoria Eggs, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art in 2005, is the Founder and CEO of Victoria Eggs, a British gift and homeware company. Victoria's products have been shortlisted five times across three categories in this year’s Gift of the Year shortlist, with winners being announced later this year.
India Daley
Criminology and Security Studies graduate, India Daley, is a hunter on Channel 4’s hit TV series, Hunted (https://www.channel4.com/programmes/hunted). The show follows 12 ordinary people who go on the run but must remain undetected for three weeks in the hopes of winning of a share of £100,000. An expert team of ‘hunters’ use modern policing and security methods to find and capture the participants.
Danielle Pinnock
Acting alumna Danielle Pinnock is currently filming for season 6 of the US adaptation of hit sitcom ‘Ghosts’, which is expected to premiere in the autumn. Danielle’s character, Alberta Haynes, is the ghost of a lounge singer from the Prohibition Era, whose backstory was the main focus of season 2.
This year, Danielle also stars in the American romantic comedy, Same Same But Different, which is scheduled to premiere at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival (SXSW) on March 12.
Catherine Tyldesley
Acting alumna Catherine has returned to the cobbles this past year, reprising her role as Eva Price in ‘Coronation Street’. This is alongside her starring role as First Officer Kate Woods in Channel 5’s ‘The Good Ship Murder’, which is expected to return for its fourth season next year.
Esther Abrami
Last year, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire alumna, classical musician and content creator Esther Abrami released her third studio album 'Women', featuring a collection of arrangements for violin and orchestra of film and TV scores, classical music from movies, anime hits and new compositions.
Discover Esther’s career so far
Want to let us know what you're up to? Email the team at alumni@bcu.ac.uk