Alumni News
George Clarke dons sequins for Strictly
The 2025 season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ featured a familiar face for the University of Exeter, as alumnus George Clarke (Exercise and Sport Sciences, 2021) took to the ballroom floor, sequins and all.
Dancing alongside his professional partner, American dancer and choreographer Alexis Warr, George quickly became a standout competitor. An influencer, YouTuber and co-host of the UK’s number one charting podcast, ‘The Useless Hotline’, with Max Baledge, George made it all the way to the final. He is the third YouTuber to compete on Strictly, following Joe Sugg and Saffron Barker, and will return to the dancefloor with Alexis as one of the couples on the highly anticipated 2026 Strictly Live Tour.
Image © BBC.
Exeter alumnus launches train travel app
Since graduating from Exeter, alumnus Alfie Willis (Business Economics, 2024) has wasted no time turning a personal frustration into a nationwide business idea.
In August 2025, Alfie launched ‘Choo Choo’, an app simplifying UK train travel by allowing users to buy tickets and see when they are eligible for compensation, how much they can claim, and why. Reflecting on his time at Exeter, Alfie credits the University with shaping his entrepreneurial mindset. “One module that stood out was ‘The Economics of Financial Crises’, taught by Gary Abrahams,” he says. “It pushed me to think critically and question the status quo, which is exactly what I’m trying to do with ‘Choo Choo’ – making train travel simpler, cheaper and more transparent for customers.”
Alumni duo drive ambulance to Ukraine
A friendship formed at the University of Exeter more than 50 years ago has led two alumni on a remarkable humanitarian mission.
In September 2025, Bob Budge (Politics and Economics, 1971) and Jonathan Callaway (German, 1971) took their Exeter connection on the road, driving an aid-filled ambulance in a convoy to Ukraine to support humanitarian efforts. The pair lived together during their first year at Exeter and reconnected during retirement, more than five decades later, through a mutual friend.
Travelling 1,260 miles as part of a five-ambulance convoy, they delivered vital hospital equipment and supplies to support civilians trapped under collapsed buildings. Reflecting on the journey, Jonathan described it as a “physically tiring but emotionally powerful experience for all of us drivers.” Bob added, “Driving was intense… but if we have all made a tiny difference to what is going on, then it has all been worth it.”
The ambulance driven by Bob and Jonathan will now be used by a rehabilitation centre supporting wounded veterans.
Alumna wins national award for innovation to detect water contamination
Congratulations to alumna Kathryn Thomas (Medical Science, 2025) who won the Big Ideas Runner Up prize at the Engineers in Business Fellowship (EBSF)’s Champion of Champions competition in 2025.
This recognition is for her FluoroGlow device (currently in prototype) which is designed to detect Cryptosporidium in water – a parasite that can cause severe illness and even death, especially in children and vulnerable people. Previously, it has been difficult to detect without slow laboratory-based tests, but FluoroGlow aims to change that by providing rapid and reliable results directly at the water source.
Alumnus appointed to government position
Exeter alumnus Luke Pollard MP (Politics, 2001) was appointed to the Government post of Minster of State in the Ministry of Defence in September 2025. He has been the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport since being elected in June 2017 and he was re-elected in both 2019 and 2024.
Luke was born and lives in Plymouth and is the first MP from Plymouth since Michael Foot represented the city in 1945. Many congratulations to him on this new position.
Molly named as one of Twenty in Data & Tech in 2025
Exeter alumna Molly Bevan has been recognised for her impact at the intersection of data, technology and social change.
Molly Bevan (Economics and Finance with European Study, 2019) was recently named one of the Women in Data Twenty in Data & Tech for 2025. She is the founder of Impactic, a social enterprise that delivers skills-based volunteering initiatives for corporate teams.
Self-taught in data analytics, Molly uses her technical skills and entrepreneurial drive to create measurable outcomes for a wide range of charities. Through the Impacathons she leads, Molly also provides a safe and supportive space for women to build confidence, develop their skills and feel empowered.
Many congratulations, Molly!
Remembering Evelyn Lintott
This 1907 photograph depicts alumnus and England international footballer, Evelyn Lintott, who was capped while studying teacher training at St Luke’s College, Exeter.
The College was incorporated into the University of Exeter in 1978, and 2026 marks the 110th anniversary year since Evelyn was tragically killed on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Image credited to Special Collections: University of Exeter Archive.
Congratulations in order as alum’s ground-breaking work recognised
Exeter alumnus Professor Sir Michael Berry has been recognised with one of the highest honours in physics for his lifetime of ground-breaking research.
Professor Sir Michael Berry (Physics, 1962) was awarded the Isaac Newton Medal and Lecture in October 2025 for his pioneering work on the geometrical ‘Berry phase’ of quantum states in topological physics, as well as his seminal contributions to mathematical physics, including quantum chaos, catastrophe theory and singular optics.
Reflecting on the honour, Sir Michael described the award as an “unexpected recognition for six decades of obsessive scribbling.” Presented annually by the Institute of Physics, the Isaac Newton Medal and Lecture is its most prestigious award, recognising world-leading, ground-breaking contributions to the field of physics.
Alumni receive recognition in 2026 New Year Honours List
Nine alumni and one honorary graduate of the University of Exeter received awards in the 2026 New Year Honours List. We’re very proud of all the members of our community who have been recognised in this way. A huge congratulations to the following people.
Louise Ansari (English, 1988) MBE for services to Health Equity.
Fiona Bloor (Geography, 1986) MBE for services to the Law of the Sea.
Hilary Evans-Newton (BA Politics, 2002 and Hon DSc, 2017) CBE for services to Charity.
Nicholas Fowler (History and Spanish, 2002) OBE for services to the Protection of Children.
Louise Holliday (Psychology, 2000) OBE for services to National Security.
Julie Kapsalis (English, 1999) MBE for services to Economic Development.
Laurence Newman (Geography, 1970) MBE for Charitable Service.
Simon Nokes (Economics, 1987) MBE for services to Regional Economic Growth, Policy Development and Investment Strategies.
Amanda Pritchard (Hon LLD, 2023) Damehood for services to the NHS.
Dr Philip Wadey (BSc Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, 1986 and PhD in Engineering Science, 1990) MBE for services to Public Rights of Way.
