Career Insight Day

Was MSc Sports Innovation Now Head of New Business and Marketing at House 337

Lauren leads new business and marketing at House 337 and brings over a decade of experience in the field. Her career spans various roles brand and agency side, working with brands including Virgin Atlantic, Coca-Cola, and BMW. Lauren is a founding member of the Leaders In Sport Diversity Council, trustee of SOUL CAP’s Swim Proud foundation, a WACL talent award winner and was recognized as a Sport Industry 2022 NextGen Leader.

Was MSc. Design Innovation Now master trainer with Global Service Design Network

Daniel is an Accredited Service Designer master trainer with Global Service Design Network with over 12-year experience in innovation, strategy and design. Through his portfolio career, he has helped large international organisations, startups, and social impact organisations navigate complex challenges while challenging them to think about WHY and HOW they create new value. He works with brands, including Nike, Lloyds Bank, Ministry of Justice, Samsung, BT, Lego, and Vodafone, to identify challenges that stop growth. He helps businesses discover & leverage new technologies, business models, service opportunities, systems thinking & co-innovation as a lead service designer. Daniel is obsessed with the intersection between building communities, unrepresented startups and creating new value worldwide.

Josh is a Strategy Associate at Ocado Technology, who are pioneering artificial intelligence, robotics and automation within the retail logistics industry. Previously Josh worked in innovation consulting at Accenture, helping clients to develop new product offerings and market strategies. He has a passion for creative ideation, workshop design, and facilitation.

Was MSc. Sports Analytics and Technologies Now Amazon 

I am Anant, a MSc. Sports Analytics and Technologies Graduate from batch 2020-21. I joined Loughborough University London to kickstart my career in the Sports industry and upon graduation joined Sportradar, a sports technology company as a trading analyst. I am currently employed at Amazon as a Sports Data Specialist where I work to improve speech recognition experience for Alexa sports fans. Following my interest to work at the intersection of technology and sports, I, along with Alexa Sports stakeholders, contribute to improve the overall experience of sports customers on multiple Alexa devices like echo dot, echo show etc.

Was MSc. Design Innovation Management now Spotify

I am Smruthi and I completed my MSc in Design Innovation Management from Loughborough University London in 2017. In the same year, I started my Product Management career by joining the Just Eat Takeaway Product Management Graduate Scheme. I worked in various departments across discovery, operations, customer and restaurant before finally choosing to work in the platform remit; specialising as a technical Product Manager. I worked at Just Eat Takeaway for nearly 5 years before transitioning to Spotify as a Product Manager in their User Platform studio, where I have been for almost 2 years. I love my job as it allows me to work with a diverse group of people to enhance our access and identity products and services. Each project comes with its unique set of challenges, and I enjoy being able to develop my leadership, stakeholder management, problem-solving, and creative skills daily. 

Was MSc. Sports Analytics and Technologies Now Tiktok

Born in India, Sanjit has lived and worked across India and the UK. Previously working on developing sponsorship strategies and activations at WPP owned Prism Sport + Entertainment, Sanjit has been at TikTok since September 2020.

At TikTok, Sanjit leads relationships with key UK sport bodies, teams, leagues etc. assisting them with content strategy and in their journey on TikTok, while also enabling TikTok's sport content ecosystem to thrive and grow.

Sanjit has played a key role in driving award winning partnerships for TikTok such as with Six Nations Rugby.

Was MSc. International Management Now Consultant, Clearsulting

I’m Angel, and I graduated from Loughborough University with an MSc in International Management in 2020. My professional journey has been colourful, starting with a career in finance at LVMH where I gained experience in financial business management and accounting within the luxury industry. After graduating, I became a Financial Analyst at ClearBank before transitioning into consulting at RSM. As a Management Consultant at RSM, I worked with several clients across various industries, and gained exposure to interesting projects exploring business process optimization through technology. Currently, I am a Consultant at Clearsulting and playing a vital role in the Governance, Risk and Compliance team while implementing a technological solution for a multinational diamond mining company. I have a deep interest in improving business processes and the impacts of technology on the people or governance. Also, I enjoy getting involved and applying my creativity to business development initiatives at Clearsulting.

Was MSc International Management Now Amazon Fresh Project Analyst

I am Lisa, an International Management graduate from Loughborough University, class of 2019. Upon graduation, I began my professional journey with Immense Simulations as a Business Analyst, diving deep into the technological facets of the future mobility and transportation industry. For over 2.5 years now, I've been with Amazon, transitioning from Amazon Logistics and currently playing an instrumental role in Amazon Fresh as a Project Analyst within the Store Development team. My passion lies in harnessing technology and innovation, and their application in real-world scenarios to drive efficiencies and results. In addition, I'm honoured to be a part of the Amazon UK Sustainability Leadership team, ensuring that our technological advancements are paired with responsibility. I also actively engage in affinity group discussions, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diverse perspectives in our ever-evolving industry.

Was MSc Risk Governance and International Management Now Goldman Sachs

I graduated from LUL in December 2022 having completed an MSc Risk, Governance and International Management within IIM. I currently work for Goldman Sachs in their newly rebranded Global Banking and Markets Division. I am currently overseeing collateral margin trades at an international level to ensure clients and the bank have sufficient risk capacity and exposure management.

Was MSc Security, Peacebuilding and Diplomacy Now Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK

Selsabil is a Communications Officer for the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK since 2021, representing the UK Parliament within the Commonwealth today. She produces material used to connect with our partners across the world, such as speeches, media, and communications exercises. The UK Parliament is a vital but often misunderstood part of our democratic fabric, so Selsabil will likely snap up any opportunity to provide tours of the Palace of Westminster - one of the more fun aspects of the role, especially for history buffs! From the Caribbean to Sri Lanka, Selsabil uses her knowledge and experience in diplomatic and strategic communications to contribute to the overall positive relationship between the UK and Commonwealth countries.

Was MSc. Digital Marketing Now Brand Director at syd

Violetta Shirokaya is the Brand Director at syd, an AI-powered B2B SaaS for employee health and productivity. Violetta began her career as a brand manager in an educational organisation and has a background in crafting brand and marketing strategies for health-tech companies. She specializes in blending consumer insights with creative approaches, drawing from her expertise in behavioural science and creative strategy. 

Was MSc Sport Business and Innovation Now Stats Perform 

Zaid completed his Masters in Sport Business and Innovation from Loughborough University London in 2022. During his time at Loughborough London, Zaid worked as a student ambassador, was one of the first IT ambassadors to be appointed by the university, and also led the social media efforts of PSSN.

He started his career in the sports marketing industry in London a couple of months after graduating from Loughborough London, working for Stats Perform. He works in their betting marketing department as a product marketer, primarily focusing on B2B marketing, helping position Stats Perform's industry-leading products for sportsbooks, broadcasters and media houses and effectively communicating their value proposition through compelling messaging for customers and prospects. 

Outside of work, you'll find Zaid either at the gym, a dance studio or at Old Trafford watching Manchester United play.

Was MSc. Digital Marketing now Prohorizon Tech

I am  a dynamic marketing professional having expertise in life sciences, consumer healthcare, health tech, and biotechnology. Recognized for creativity and dedication, I excel in generating opportunities and revenue growth by strategically analysing risks. My journey includes impactful roles at Prorizon Tech and Sanofi, showcasing strong strategic marketing, and analytical skills in driving the growth of brands and businesses.  Digitally savvy and resourceful, I communicate effectively across all levels, adapt to change, and bring a fresh perspective to my work. With proven capabilities in global production management and market research, I stand out for strategic thinking, attention to detail, and a commitment to performance with integrity. Holding an MSc in Digital Marketing from Loughborough University, my expertise is recognized for strategic thinking and innovative contributions in the healthcare industry.

Was MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management Now Founder, Padi Network

Sawida Magba-Kamara, a dynamic professional with a background in financial mathematics and entrepreneurship, currently serves as a Customer Success Executive at Benefex. In this role, she leverages her expertise to ensure client satisfaction and success, drawing on her three years of experience in customer success and account management. Beyond her corporate role, Sawida is the visionary founder of Padi Network, a vibrant community fostering the growth of black female professionals and entrepreneurs. As a career coach, she guides individuals in unlocking their full potential. Sawida's multifaceted career reflects her commitment to diversity, empowerment, and creating inclusive spaces for professional development. With a blend of analytical acumen and entrepreneurial spirit, Sawida continues to make meaningful contributions to both the corporate and community landscapes.

Francisco is the founder of TeamSportz, a self-taught software developer.  TeamSportz  uses AI to enhance youth athletes.

Kathi R. Kitner currently leads research on payment experiences in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and develops new research insights for the Payments team at Google. Part of her research is aimed at understanding under-represented and underserved households, their economies and money flows, how people participate - or not - in formal financial institutions and the more informal adjacent money systems. 

Dr. Kitner has previously worked at Intel Corporation (Intel Labs/Social Research), the United States federal government (fisheries), and the University of Miami (HIV/drug use interventions).  

She holds a PhD in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from the University of Florida.  

Was MSc. Entrepreneurship & Innovation Now PhD student

Vanessa Brown, a PhD student at Loughborough University London, brings a unique perspective to our Careers Insight event. Vanessa’s research examines socioeconomic inequalities within London's entrepreneurial ecosystem, focusing on race and gender disparities. 

As a twice-awarded scholarship recipient of Loughborough University, Vanessa is well poised to share her journey, which blends academic insights with hands-on expertise, making her a compelling speaker who embodies entrepreneurial advancement while contributing to the narrative of Black lived experiences in London.

Connect with Vanessa on LinkedIn @vanessabrownldn

Was MSc Sport Analytics and Technology

Hi, I’m Ricardo. I studied Sport Analytics and Technology at Loughborough University and now work as the Commercial Partnerships Executive at Sports Interactive – the studio behind the Football Manager series. My role sits within the Partnerships and Business Development department, and we cover most work streams that involve external partners. This includes football clubs, commercial partners, non-profits as well as merchandise, in-game advertising and organisations involved in equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives. We cover quite a range, this is demonstrated in two recent projects; renewing our partnership with Venezia FC which saw our social media team fly out to Venice to shoot some great TikTok and Instagram content, and our recent partnership with Adidas and Stormzy’s #MerkyFC which aims to help more people of black heritage enter the sport industry.

Jonathan is CEO of ethical data science company, Signify Group. Since 2019, Jonathan has led the development and roll out of Signify’s specialist AI-driven proactive threat detection and protection service - Threat Matrix - an innovative initiative to protect players, athletes and high profile individuals from the poison of online abuse. Working with international federations, national leagues, player unions, clubs, law enforcement and directly with athletes, Threat Matrix has delivered a step-change in the way online abuse is tackled, creating real world action, effective deterrents and taking the onus away from the victim to take action.