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CMI Awards of Excellence
Lauren Pope, a First Class International Business BA (Hons) graduate from Nottingham Trent University, grew up in the East Midlands. She was named 'Rookie of the Year' during her international placement year at Metric Search.
With a strong commitment to ethics, sustainability, and international cooperation, Lauren has gained extensive experience in both voluntary and paid roles. In January 2025, she will return to 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.
Lauren Pope BA (Hons) International Business Nottingham Trent University
I feel extremely honoured to have been nominated, and now shortlisted for the CMI Awards; CMI embodies the leadership traits and values which align with my own principles and goals. One of the primary reasons I chose the International Business degree at Nottingham Trent University was for the CMI accreditation alongside the course, so it is surreal to be nominated, and shortlisted, for the awards.
"Winning this award will have a meaningful impact on my professional journey, paving the way for substantial career growth and fresh opportunities. It will also connect me with influential networks, opening doors to invaluable resources."
"To be awarded CMI Student of the Year would be the most prestigious award I’ve ever received. It wouldn’t just be an award cherished by myself, but also my friends and family. It would have a great positive impact on both my personal and professional life."
"This award will highlight my achievements within the programme, which will naturally bring benefits due to the reputation of the CMI name and the trust it brings."
"Winning this award would be an incredible honor. As someone who has dedicated myself to continuous learning and professional development, receiving this recognition from the Chartered Management Institute would be a tremendous validation of the hard work I've put in."
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.
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.
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.
Ellie Pickering is a Project Manager at the University of Exeter who manages the PROTECT operations team to deliver a complex medical research portfolio of work involving digital development, clinical trials, data management, and project management. Ellie is proud to contribute to this important research aiming to understand how genes and lifestyle factors (such as exercise or education) affect the way our brain ages.
Ellie has overseen the growth of a large multidisciplinary operations team and her focus for leading the team centres around collecting and curating excellent quality research data in all activities from participant support to website development.
Ellie Pickering MCMI Exeter College
Winning the CMI Student of the Year award would be incredible – on a personal level it would more than confirm I am on the right career path after I encountered well-documented barriers to women returning to work in science following a career break to raise a family. Regardless of whether I win this award, I am so grateful for being given the key to unlock my own potential through doing the course at all, but even more grateful for the understanding that the same key unlocks the potential of the people on my team – for me, seeing them grow and succeed has been the real reward.
"As someone who was not planning on going to university and almost dropped out in second year due to mental health issues, receiving such a amazing award would be a great honour and would be the perfect end to my university experience. In addition, I feel as receiving the award for outstanding performance would enhance my professional profile while also boosting my self confidence and self esteem, as this is something I feel I limited particularly in a professional setting due to not having too much experience in the business world."
"Winning this award would mean the absolute world to me - I know everyone says it but I really do mean it. As a young woman who left school at 16 years old with a very small handful of GCSEs, it has been an amazing experience and opportunity to develop as a mature student and achieve academic recognition for the work experience that I had built up over the years. Through CMI & SERC my ability has not only been recognised, but it has been nurtured and embraced. I have been so encouraged to continue with my professional development and I feel that this award would be the ultimate recognition for my determination and drive to continue my learning journey."
Ellie Pickering is a Project Manager at the University of Exeter who manages the PROTECT operations team to deliver a complex medical research portfolio of work involving digital development, clinical trials, data management, and project management. This includes the 25-year, large cohort study, PROTECT: Platform for Research Online to Investigate Genetics and Cognition in Ageing. PROTECT research is delivered through three online platforms in the UK, Norway, and Canada with over 30,000 people participating across all sites; it provides valuable information about brain health to find out how we can prevent devastating conditions such as dementia. Ellie is proud to contribute to this important research aiming to understand how genes and lifestyle factors (such as exercise or education) affect the way our brain ages. Ellie also manages remotely delivered clinical trials like VitaMIND which aims to find out if vitamin D supplementation can improve brain health in people at risk of developing dementia. Ellie has overseen the growth of a large multidisciplinary operations team and her focus for leading the team centres around collecting and curating excellent quality research data in all activities from participant support to website development.
Ellie’s work has been recognised by the University of Exeter through Bronze and Silver Above and Beyond awards and both personal and team nominations for Professional Services Recognition awards.
Ellie holds a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership & Level 5 Apprenticeship Certificate (Distinction) in Operations or Departmental Manager from Exeter College, UK; an MSc (Distinction) in Advanced Methods of Taxonomy & Biodiversity from Imperial College, UK; and a BA in Biology (Cum Laude) with minor degrees in Chemistry and Japanese language from Linfield College, Oregon, USA.
Ellie has held various roles including teaching English in Japan, financial administration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, and administrative roles at the University of Exeter Medical School. She joined the PROTECT team as a research administrator in 2017 and progressed through the role of research coordinator to become the project manager in 2021.
In her spare time Ellie enjoys exploring the Devon countryside with her family and dog, gardening, running, reading, and learning languages (Japanese, French & Norwegian).
I have just recently graduated from the University Of Brighton with a first-class honour's degree in Business Management with Marketing. Now that I have graduated, I look forward to applying what I have learnt to a challenging role in a business environment in addition to exploring the world.
Linda McKendry is a dedicated and compassionate professional who has devoted the last 24 years to improving the quality of life of young people and adults with learning disabilities and autism. She currently holds the position of Director of Services at CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) in Ballymoney, a voluntary organisation renowned & recognised for its outstanding holistic support for individuals with additional needs and their families and carers.
Throughout her extensive career, Linda has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering and improving the lives of those with learning disabilities and autism. Her profound understanding of their unique challenges, coupled with her genuine empathy and determination, has been instrumental in shaping the success of CAN’s initiatives.
Under Linda’s visionary leadership, CAN has flourished as an organisation dedicated to providing holistic support to its beneficiaries. Her strategic planning and innovative approach have resulted in the development and implementation of numerous programs that cater to the diverse needs of the people that she supports. These initiatives encompass vital areas such as education, employment, independent living, social inclusion, and overall well-being.
Linda’s exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to foster strong relationships with individuals, families, and the wider community have been instrumental in establishing CAN as a trusted and respected organisation. She works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of those with learning disabilities and autism are heard, advocating for their rights and promoting equal opportunities.
In addition to her remarkable professional achievements, Linda is a staunch advocate for continuous learning and professional development. She has continued to enhance her own learning experience and has recently completed her CMI Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management as well as achieving Chartered Manager status which concretises her belief in lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Linda enjoys and remains up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in the field, often incorporating them into CAN’s programs and services to ensure they remain at the forefront of excellence.
Linda McKendry’s unwavering dedication, profound knowledge, and compassionate nature make her an invaluable asset to CAN and the community it serves. Her tireless efforts have positively impacted the lives of countless individuals with learning disabilities and autism, empowering them to achieve their full potential and live fulfilling lives all whilst remaining true to her roots and background. She personifies the qualities of a genuine and authentic leader, always developing and learning and who lives her strong ethos, values and vision through her work performance on a daily basis. She leads by example and is now a confident mentor and coach to younger members of her team, whom she is preparing to take up the helm and lead the organisation in the future.
Richard Hughes MCMI is our 2022 Outstanding Student of the Year winner, showing dedication to his course and advancement in his development.
Richard Hughes MCMI Bangor University
I am lost for words, it felt amazing when I found out I was nominated. I've come a long way from the teenager who was working long hours on construction sites and had no interest in higher education. My interest in management and leadership started in my late 20's, I became the first person in my family to get a degree as a sprightly 33 year old after studying with the Open University whilst working full-time as an Electronic Technician in the British Army! Fast forward a couple of years and I've just received a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership, an MBA with distinctions in every module and I've been nominated for this award, I genuinely can't believe it, it's been hard work but I'm happy to see it's paying off now. My academic achievements with the CMI have undoubtedly improved my employability, in January 2022 I landed a role doing something I love with The HALO Trust, helping people by managing the clearance of cluster munitions, bombs and other explosive remnants of war in Laos, the most heavily bombed country per capita in history.
"I felt surprised given the talent of my fellow students! We had some fantastic tutors, and I’m sure this showcases their hard work also. The programme was certainly challenging and not without some difficult moments, so being nominated was a great affirmation that the hard work was worth it."
"This is a very prestigious award for me, my family , my university and my country. For me, it shows that my hard work has paid off and for my family , it’s an encouragement for them to move further in education. It will bring good name to Malaysia , my country and CMI at large."
Richard Kenneth Hughes is an Operations Officer who is responsible for facilitating safe clearance and disposal of cluster munitions, aircraft bombs and other explosive remnants of war for The HALO Trust programme in Laos. Laos is the most bombed country in the world per capita due to the Vietnam War, the post-war impact of the bombings is reflected in the high casualty rates since the war ended. Richard believes that no individual should fear that their family members/friends could be seriously injured/killed carrying out day to day activities such as going to work, school or playing with friends. He believes communities need to be safe and free from fear to develop and thrive.
During his recent MBA course he volunteered in several roles within the student union where he worked tirelessly to improve student experience and ensure the collective student voice was heard by university management.
He led a Bangor University team to 3rd place in the UBC Global Masters competition; was nominated for the VP Education award; achieved an overall distinction in his MBA, completing each module with distinction; received the Bangor University CMI Student of the Year 2022 award; and recently despite contracting a debilitating parasite, completed a five month mine action Global Operations Officer training course in Cambodia with The HALO Trust, during this he created and delivered a half day leadership and management training workshop for his peers and manager.
He holds an MBA Environmental Management and a CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership from Bangor University in North Wales.
In his spare time Richard enjoys mountaineering, climbing, wild swimming and spending time with family in North Wales.
Alex joined the Arden MBA programme whilst in a leadership role in Six Physio, one of the UKs largest physiotherapy companies. Having started his professional life as a clinician he moved into management over ten years ago. During this time he wore many hats: team lead, strategist, operations and acquisitions manager, clinician and coach. This culminated in a regional director role, with direct responsibility for multiple clinics across London and a place on the executive team responsible for group strategy.
Whilst undertaking his MBA Alex was increasingly interested in the increasing digitisation of healthcare, particularly the COVID enforced implementation of virtual health. His dissertation reflected this new outlook, investigating customer satisfaction in the emerging virtual healthcare world. Through this research Alex pivoted to his current role with FollowApp Care, a healthcare organisation focused on digital patient journeys. He was also inspired to create his own online business Global MSK Solutions, connecting patients with quality clinicians worldwide.
Norharizan Binti Hj Hussain is the franchisee operator of Marrybrown Fried Chicken in Star Parade and Souq Al-Bukhary, Alor Setar, Malaysia.
Before being named as the franchise operator, Norharizan began her career as a supervisor and an operation support team (OST) for the first few Marrybrown Fried Chicken outlets, which were located at Johor Bahru and Klang in 1989. Needless to say, Norharizan has had ties with Marrybrown Fried Chicken for over 30 years! Her skills, passion, and experience in handling a business and managing human resources were fired up during those illustrious times working as a supervisor and operation support team for Marrybrown. The dream of having her own business never left her mind and burned her spirits during those years.
Fast forward to now, she is a leader of her own. She successfully launched her first-ever business as a franchise operator of Marrybrown at Souq Al-Bukhary on 10th October 2006. 10 years later, she spread her wings once more and opened another Marrybrown outlet at Star Parade, Malaysia.
Never wanting to quit growing and improving herself, Norharizan ventured back to academia by obtaining a degree in Business Administration at Universiti Utara Malaysia after 8 years of running her businesses. Her thirst for learning never stopped there as she pursued her MBA 2 years after obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree.
Colin has shown a high level of progression and outstanding academic achievement. He has been chosen as overall winner for his nuanced understanding of how learnings can be applied in his managerial role. Moreover, Colin has produced an exciting piece in his MBA project around switching children from liquid to tablet form medicine. This work highlights a talent for harnessing research and innovation in order to improve operational efficiency and outcomes for patients. Colin also displays an eloquent and perceptive awareness of the value of continued development for managers and leaders in public service organisations.
Colin Stephenson ACMI Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust MBA with Distinction and Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice
For me, it is a big personal achievement. But, I also hope it demonstrates to the NHS that it is worthwhile investing in Management and Leadership training in order to cultivate better managers and better leaders.
"Making the top three is a massive achievement. To me, it justifies a risk that paid off, especially after having self-doubt at university. This acknowledgement of my hard work has boosted my personal confidence and given me something to celebrate after a difficult year."
"It is an honour to be shortlisted because these CMI Awards are extremely valuable in the current climate. They validate the exceptional standards that a manager or leader has achieved, giving them that deserved recognition for their hard work and commitment."
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We are delighted to announce Oniba as CMI's Student of the Year Award Winner 2020. Oniba recently graduated with an MSc in International Management from the University of Leicester's School of Business.
I am very grateful and humbled to have received it. To me, it represents the beauty in making the most out of the journey. It has taught me that the path is filled with a supportive community, life-long lessons, obstacles and many unanswered questions. Throughout all of that, it is crucial to find a balance between your educational commitments and your professional growth. That’s exactly what this award represents. It celebrates the progress of a student who has adapted their capabilities beyond the books, while simultaneously leaving a mark in the lives of others. Personally, it has reinforced my perceptions about risk and rewards. It will motivate me to continue pursuing prospects that put me out of my comfort zone. I am very thankful that the CMI community provided me with a platform that enabled me to proactively engage with the students in my course. The CMI community meant being a part of a collaborative network that offered me perspective; CMI itself reiterated the resources and tools that it offered to the students enrolled with this accreditation. It was great to serve as a liaison between CMI and the students in the program, as I was able to witness the impact that the CMI services left on the students.
Oniba Khalid University of Leicester
